Bruno Mathsson Design Residency 2025: Maria Bruun

The Danish furniture designer Maria Bruun (b. 1984, based in Copenhagen) earned her master’s degree from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2012. In recent years, she has received Denmark's two most prestigious design awards: the Wegner Prize (2022) and the Finn Juhl Prize (2021). She has gained international recognition for her innovative and sculptural designs, showcasing a deep understanding of the natural properties of wood, exemplified by the acclaimed Pioneer stool and the Islets table for Fredericia.

Maria Bruun: "Mathsson’s dedication to functionality, Scandinavian design principles, and the organic potential of wood aligns closely with my own vision of creating furniture and objects that are both functional and meaningful. I hope to further my skills and deepen my understanding of design traditions through this residency, integrating traditional craftsmanship into contemporary industrial production—a central challenge in today’s design world."

Statement of the jury

"Maria Bruun shows great versatility in working with wood, both as a structural material and using its specific tactile qualities. These are strengths that also characterized Bruno Mathsson’s work. Bruun’s ability to merge functional design with poetic expressions resonates strongly with the legacy of Mathsson. Like her predecessor, Bruun has a design philosophy rooted in a profound respect and interest for materials and craftsmanship. Offering Bruun the opportunity of the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency allows her to further explore the experimental potential of wood. To continue the great tradition of Nordic design, it is very important to connect it with innovative younger designers and allow them to project it into the future. We are certain that Bruun will do this as part of her residency."