An architect and designer like no other, Arne Jacobsen was born in 1902 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is best known for his prototypes for furniture, textiles, wallpaper and silverware. In addition, he produced many globally recognized designs during his lifetimes, including The Ant, Series 7, The Egg and The Swan. Jacobsen studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture and studied under renowned architects Kay Fisker and Kaj Gottlob. In 1929, Jacobsen won a Danish Architect's Association competition for a design of the "House of the Future." The design was created in conjunction with architect Flemming Lassen and eventually was built full scale at an exhibition in Copenhagen's Forum.

Jacobsen later set up his own office, where he designed the Bellevue Theatre, Stelling House on Gammeltorv and other distinguished works. He was exiled to Sweden during World War II but returned to Denmark in 1945. At that time, there was an urgent need for Spartan buildings that could be built quickly and easily, and Jacobsen proved he was ready to fulfill the task. Jacobsen embarked on experimental projects once again in the 1950s. His Rdovre Town Hall was constructed in the mid-1950s and featured a blend of materials as well as a central staircase that suspended from the roof. Also, Jacobsen designed the Munkegaard School, which included glass corridors arranged in a grid system around small courtyards.

In 1971, Jacobsen died unexpectedly, and many of his projects remain uncompleted. These projects included a new town hall in Mainz, Germany, the Danish National Bank and the Royal Danish Embassy in London. Ultimately, Jacobsen's final projects were finished by Dissing+Weitling, a firm set up by some of his former employees.