Carl Hansen PK52 Professor Desk

Manufacturer: Carl Hansen & Søn | Designer: Poul Kjærholm, 1955

A Desk Designed for the Academy

The PK52 was designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1955 when the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts needed tables for its lecturers and students. Kjærholm brought his cabinetmaking background to the problem and arrived at something that looked nothing like a conventional desk. The tabletop is supported by a black powder-coated steel frame, with metal ferrules separating the steel from the wood — a detail that keeps the two materials visually distinct and gives the desk its characteristic lightness.

The tabletop is reversible, so the user can work on either face — or keep one side for work and the other for dining or entertaining. The PK52 works equally well as a desk, a dining table, or a worktable in a studio or office.

Craftsmanship & Finish

• Dimensions — W186.5 × D85 × H72cm
• Tabletop — Oak veneer (reversible); oiled, lacquered, or black-painted
• Base — Black powder-coated steel
• Drawer module — Solid wood and veneer (optional)

Please note: Solid wood is a living material that gives and absorbs moisture from its surroundings. To prevent cracks, please avoid sudden changes in humidity and temperature. Cracks caused by desiccation are not covered under warranty.

Also available as the PK52A Student Desk. Add the optional PK115 drawer module, available separately. Part of the Carl Hansen Home Office collection.