Bonderup & Thorup

About Bonderup & Thorup

The Danish architects and designers Claus Bonderup and Torsten Thorup are among the leading figures of Scandinavian postmodern design. After studying architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, they initially worked at Henning Larsen’s practice before founding their own studio together. Over many years, they realised international architectural, urban planning and design projects, developing a clear, functional design language with a timeless appeal. International travel and projects had a lasting influence on their minimalist design approach.

Bonderup and Thorup became known, amongst other things, for the Arktikum Science Museum in Finland, as well as numerous furniture, lighting and industrial designs. The iconic Semi pendant lamp for Gubi is a prime example of their minimalist design approach, which is still internationally acclaimed today.

In the early 1990s, the two designers went their separate ways professionally: Torsten Thorup founded his own architectural practice in 1992 and has been realising international architectural projects ever since. Claus Bonderup also opened his own practice in 1993 and worked as a professor until his death in 2022.