David Thulstrup monograph published by Phaidon
‘David Thulstrup: A Sense of Place’ by Sophie Lovell is an overview of the Danish architect’s life and work

‘David Thulstrup: A Sense of Place’ is the first monograph dedicated to the work of the Danish architect and designer. Authored by former Wallpaper* editor Sophie Lovell and published by Phaidon, the interior design book charts Thulstrup’s life and career through five thematic chapters that explore his childhood and education as well as his projects and design approach.
‘David Thulstrup: A Sense of Place’
David Thulstrup: A Sense of Place, published by Phaidon. £59.95, available from Hive
In the book’s introduction, Thulstrup explains the moments of anticipation that form one of his favourite elements of his work: travelling to a new place, discovering it for the first time, and then letting his expertise and imagination guide him towards an idea for a new building or project. ‘This sense of place is at the very heart of each project that I work on,’ he says, explaining the title he chose for his monograph. ‘Once the place is established in my mind and imagination, I can go on to build around it. My sense of place is an awareness of the journey and process: changing, evolving, growing, and becoming more refined as I progress from project to project.’
Born in Hørsholm, Denmark, Thulstrup founded his eponymous practice in Copenhagen in 2009, after experiences with Jean Nouvel in Paris and Peter Marino in New York. His work includes interiors and architecture for hospitality and private residential projects, as well as furniture and lighting designs. Among his most recent projects is Ikoyi, the London restaurant for which he designed the interiors and that was awarded in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2023.
Les Nouvelles Galeries, Annecy, France
The book is divided into chapters that chart key elements of Thulstrup’s practice: Learning to Walk, A Sense of Place, Massive Materiality, Over Time and Sensibility, with sections chronicling the process of creating each space or furniture collection, from Noma in interiors to designs for Møbel Copenhagen and Brdr. Krüger. Lovell’s narration takes readers through Thulstrup’s life, offering glimpses into his personal experiences and approaches as each project comes to life.
‘I daydream about my projects today in much the same way as I did whilst sitting on a church pre on Sundays with my family as a child,’ continues Thupstrup. ‘I would perch in that huge sacred space, daydreaming about different ways of transforming it, giving it a new purpose, function, materiality and volumes.
‘In the beginning, I relied on my intuition to realise and articulate my projects. Now, after 14 years of making it my career, I can read my projects, verbalise what I am after far better and translate what is essentially a purely sensory awareness and a personal creative process with clarity and accuracy into both words, images, and physical structures.’
‘David Thulstrup: A Sense of Place’, published by Phaidon
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Stay at La Posta Vecchia Hotel, an Italian gem once home to Jean Paul Getty
La Posta Vecchia Hotel is a hidden gem 40 minutes outside Rome that comes with coastal views and a private museum
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
RH takes over historical Aynhoe Park, UK
Aynhoe Park becomes American furniture brand RH’s first destination outside the US, a new venture that merges architectural history and hospitality
By Henrietta Thompson • Published
-
Dalarö House by Olson Kundig is a rock star
Dalarö House, US practice Olson Kundig’s first build in Sweden, takes centre stage in the Stockholm archipelago
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Misha Kahn wants you to judge his new book by its cover
Misha Kahn and Apartamento Publishing present 'Casually Sauntering the Perimeter of Now', the American designer's new book featuring 50 limited-edition art covers
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
Colin King ‘Arranging Things’ book is an essential read for interior design inspiration and wisdom
Colin King ‘Arranging Things’, a new book published by Rizzoli, is filled with exquisite interiors and useful advice on finding beauty in everyday environments
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
New Nike book is an inspirational handbook for the next generation of creatives and athletes
New Nike book, ‘After all, there is No Finish Line’, features eye-catching black-and-white imagery and speculative fiction and essays that ponder design, innovation and sport
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
It’s a Barbie world: new book charts the evolution of the Barbie Dreamhouse
Mattel Creations and Pin-Up present ‘Barbie Dreamhouse: An Architectural Survey’, exploring the fantasy home’s evolution, from its first appearance in 1962 to its latest iteration in 2021
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
Studiomama turns scrap wood into charming animals
Studiomama unveils The Off-Cuts, a book chronicling its menagerie of wooden animals made using scraps from its workshop
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
Inventive street furniture, old and contemporary, explored in a new book
The unexplored culture of street furniture (from public infrastructure to makeshift seating) is at the heart of Edwin Heathcote’s ‘On the Street’
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
The theatrical world of Lee Broom is celebrated in a new book
Lee Broom: Fashioning Design, published by Rizzoli, charts the designer’s 15 years in the industry in dramatic style
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
Woman Made: the book celebrating great women in design
International Women’s Day 2022: new pioneering tome by Phaidon and Kering celebrates over 200 women designers from contemporary history, alongside a series of initiatives to further expand its contents' impact
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated