The B&O man’s own home

By Gitte Stærbo

Extract from article in Berlingske Tidende (Danish daily newspaper), January 31, 2003. This extract consists of material from both the article and unpublished parts of the manuscript:

"I can't live here" was the first thing Marianne Lewis told her husband upon seeing the house for the first time. "It was dark, and I didn't find it hard to believe that the house was difficult to sell." The only reason we even looked at it was because David had always been curious as to how the house with two big living rooms functioned. He was curious to see it, she adds. As early as 1991 David had requested a property report without actually seeing the house. But he had wondered how the architect’s original plan had been preserved with the additional living room.
David Lewis arrived in Denmark in 1960. He had met his wife Marianne in London where she was working as an au pair, and after graduating from the Central School of Design it wasn’t difficult for him to move with her to Denmark. He was very interested in Danish design and architecture. And it was shortly hereafter that he came to know of the house in Rungsted.

Today Marianne is pleased with the house, where the couple has now lived for five years - she is a teacher but has for the last 10 years functioned as a private secretary for David. David Lewis has designed for B&O for many years, and is behind some of the company’s biggest design successes. He has his office at Store Kongensgade in Copenhagen.

David has to work in the city, and he has five employees, so it is important to have a drawing office with plenty of space. But actually he is not a very social human being and periodically he also works at home. The creative process can be difficult, when his whole being is involved in problem solving. Here he finds peace and quiet, here he is secluded from the busy world and can listen to music and meditate" she adds with a smile" Yes, over time I have learned to live with him withdrawing into his own world, even though it hasn't always been easy."
Has living in an architecturally interesting house been an inspiration? "Not as such”, is the answer. Since the 1970’s we have lived in a house from the 60’s, so the style is not new to us. But it is a magnificent period in Danish architecture, it was a period with a consistent attitude towards architecture and good materials were used. And seen from a classical perspective it is also of high international standards, a consistent attitude regardless of fashion and so called trends - even though he admits, that good design always runs the risk of being caught up in fashion and generate trends.

David Lewis is known for his beautiful, streamlined design for Bang & Olufsen across the world. Speakers, hi-fi and televisions in delicate lines and materials. He was amongst the very first to introduce the flat, black TV screens of glass. His work as a designer is, in his own words, a process of continuous development, which demands a keen eye and commitment - that one is continuously curious and observant of the surrounding world- while also staying clear of replicating yourself, and instead working to repeat things in a more refined way. "But when I have worked with an idea for myself for some time, the process from the idea on the paper or as a model, and then to actually meet with the people that are heavily involved in the project and are extremely eager to get things going - that’s the best part of it all. And the intense co-operation with and within the whole group from day one till the project is launched," says David Lewis.

But in spite of business and commitment there is also time for the couple to be together - cosy times especially in the open kitchen, witch is very simply decorated as part of the house’s living-room, placed centrally between the room-section and the big living-room, where David also works. From being the darkest place it has become the best place to be - the couple says in a single voice. "Here we can cook together, which we both enjoy, here there is plenty of space for visitors around the big table and here we can watch television or sit in front of the fireplace. And in addition there is a direct exit to the terrace and the garden.

The furniture is mainly old Scandinavian classic designs with the exception of the lamps. But there are no tight lines, as a contrast the rooms have a calm atmosphere. One might think David is fond of cool streamlined lines, says Marianne, but he isn't: He loves old furniture with a history after many years of use - most of them we have bought second hand, and we both love flowers both inside and outside, Marianne concludes.

David Lewis Designers ApS

Blegdamsvej 28D
2200 København N
Denmark

T +45 33 13 69 35