Danielle Siggerud: Designing The New Modern Classics

  When designer and architect Danielle Siggerud begins working on a project, she sees beyond conventional boundaries. A case in point: Copenhagen’s Menu Space Café. While designing the venue in 2017, she intuited a need for seating that would enhance the Café’s inspired surroundings, so she created the Androgyne Side Table; this signature piece strikes a perfect balance between the masculine and the feminine and retains the modern aesthetic of the Menu brand. It’s a prime example of Siggerud’s style. Though she leans toward minimalism, her design philosophy is decidedly expansive. “For me, architecture is about eliminating excess and focusing on essential forms,” Siggerud says. “It is about rigorous attention to details and carefully selecting the right materials. I want to create serene spaces that are soft and emotional, but also naturally afford human interaction.”     Siggerud’s unique vision extends far beyond commercial undertakings. Her list of residential projects is burgeoning – a result of her ingenuity and keen insights. “A home is very personal and, in the end, it’s the people inhabiting the space who make it what it is,” Siggerud explains. “My process for composing this framework is comprised of three clear steps. I refer to the first as ‘the body’, which is all about getting under the skin of my clients to understand who they are and how they live. I create spaces around the needs and personalities of my clients, embracing the circle of their daily life, so this part is absolutely essential. The next step is ‘the building’, which you could compare to an archeological field survey. I consider the history and heritage of the place in question and its context. The final phase, ‘the skin’, is about selecting materials in a precise and sensual way. I believe that these materials can assume a poetic quality in an architectural context.” The breadth and scope of Siggerud’s portfolio emphasize versatility. In fact, one of her professional trademarks is the seamless blending of design and nature. “When I go for walks in the city, or when I travel,” Siggerud says, “I always look up at the buildings and find inspiration for current or future projects.” In the water-bound Copenhagen neighborhood of Holmen stands a restored townhouse that bears the Siggerud stamp: a combination of rough beams and smooth stone surfaces, a pallet of neutral colors, and careful detailing. The home is rugged but elegant, reflecting Siggerud’s ability to functionalize a space without diminishing its existing architectural elements.     “Staying true to the building is my greatest responsibility,” Siggerud says. “I always have in mind that the work I do is in the service of its community.” Siggerud opened her eponymous studio in 2016, and her boundary-defying design can also be found outside of Denmark. She is currently working on projects in Spain, France, and Norway.