Rolf Thies Unique Free-Standing Desk in Cognac Leather and Marble

Rolf Thies for Nordiska Kompaniet, free-standing custom-made writing or office desk, leather, marble, Sweden, circa 1965

This refined desk was designed by Swedish architect Rolf Thies. Between 1963 and 1973, he oversaw the reconstruction and redesign of a company’s head office in Trelleborg, in southern Sweden – his first long-term project carried out with his own team. The commission extended beyond the architecture itself, as he was also responsible for the building’s interior design. Around 1965, this desk was produced as part of a custom office suite designed specifically for the company’s owner, and put in reality by Nordiska Kompaniet. Archival photographs show the desk positioned freely in the office space, complemented by a small drawer cabinet and paired with a high-backed chair upholstered in matching leather.

The construction of the desk is based on a striking U-shaped form, with the continuous leather surface flowing seamlessly from the wide tabletop down to the base and back up again, creating a sculptural loop. A single central support connects the desktop to the lower platform, emphasizing structural clarity and contributing to its architectural presence. Thies chose to cover the entire desk in rich cognac leather, which is tightly fitted to the curves and planes of the structure, accentuating its fluid silhouette and enhancing the sense of continuity. A long rectangular inlay of marble punctuates the tabletop, its vivid veins in tones of white and brown introducing a natural contrast to the uniform leather. Moreover, the desk integrates a compact set of drawers tucked neatly beneath the right-hand side of the top, offering discreet storage without disturbing the purity of the form. While rational in its functionality, the overall design leans towards the monumental, positioning the desk as a commanding centerpiece within the office. In this way, Thies fused his architectural training with his furniture design, achieving a piece that is at once utilitarian and emblematic of modernist ideals.

Rolf Rickard Thies (1927-2012), a German-born architect, began his studies at the University of Karlsruhe before relocating to Sweden in the mid-1950s. Drawn by Sweden’s strong embrace of modernist architecture – both in the construction industry and public opinion – he enrolled at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm to continue his education. After gaining experience in several architectural practices, Thies established his own office in 1960. Over the years, he worked on a wide range of projects, including public buildings, residential developments, private homes, interiors, and furniture design. Beyond his practice, he contributed actively to architectural discourse through articles and books, and in the 1970s his urban planning concepts brought him international recognition. In the later stages of his career, his focus shifted primarily to designing private houses and villas.