Studio Arhoj

Studio Arhoj is founded by Danish designer Anders Arhoj, whose path into ceramics began outside the field. Trained in Multimedia Design, he spent his early career working with graphic design, animation, and digital platforms at Danmarks Radio. In 2005, he left Copenhagen to live in Tokyo, where exposure to Japanese craft traditions, particularly ceramics, introduced a fundamentally different material language. Here, irregular surfaces, visible handwork, and natural firing effects stood in contrast to the clean, controlled Scandinavian aesthetic he knew. Returning to Denmark, Arhoj shifted focus entirely, moving away from screen-based work and into a self-initiated, hands-on exploration of clay, learning through shared workshops, literature, and direct experimentation.

The studio developed gradually through a combination of small-scale production and growing demand. Early pieces were produced between Copenhagen and a makeshift setup in Thy, where glazing and firing took place with the help of family and local potters. At the same time, Arhoj managed design, prototyping, sales, and communication, building relationships with international retailers and developing collections. In 2013, he established the first permanent studio in Copenhagen, which over time expanded with additional kilns, employees, and departments.

The operation evolved into a structured production environment with roles spanning sales, production management, and logistics. Later moves into larger spaces enabled the integration of retail, storage, and studio functions, supporting both wholesale distribution and direct sales.

The spatial organisation of Studio Arhoj is defined by production rather than display. Located in central Copenhagen, the studio combines workshop, store, and logistics within a single continuous environment. Different stages of making are arranged as connected zones: clay preparation and throwing, drying, glazing stations, kiln areas, and packing facilities. Visitors move through these sequences without separation, encountering each step of the process in real time. Glassblowing furnaces operate within the same open space, running continuously and contributing heat and activity to the interior. The layout reflects a working system where objects physically move through the space from raw material to finished product, rather than being presented as isolated outcomes.

Production at Studio Arhoj centres on two primary materials: ceramics and glass. The pottery team produces stoneware and earthenware objects, including functional items such as mugs and bowls as well as figurative forms. Many pieces are wheel-thrown, with certain items produced in series while others vary through manual processes. Glazing plays a critical role, combining standardised recipes with experimental applications to achieve layered, flowing colour effects. Multiple firings take place weekly, with careful control of temperature and kiln loading.

Glass production was introduced in 2020 with the establishment of in-house hot shops. Here, glassblowers create both recurring designs and limited pieces, working directly with molten material in a continuous process that requires constant heat and precision.

Today, Studio Arhoj operates as an independent, multi-department studio handling design, production, and distribution internally. The team includes potters, glassblowers, glazers, designers, and logistics staff working in coordination across locations in Copenhagen. In addition to core collections, the studio develops limited editions and experimental pieces through initiatives like the Fire Lab, where new techniques and aesthetics are tested. All items are packed and distributed from within the studio, with attention to material use and shipping methods. Despite international reach and a wide retail network, the studio maintains a controlled scale, prioritising flexibility, direct oversight, and continuous development over expansion into large-scale industrial production.