With a long and proud history at the epicentre of Danish design excellence – set to celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2024, in fact – Louis Poulsen lays claim to being the original house of light. The tradition of masterful Danish lighting design isn’t just a distant memory, however. It is well and truly alive, as a series of upcoming releases illustrate. These include the reinterpretation of a number of classics, namely the new , the and the .
Each new light constitutes a faithful reproduction of the original, with only minimal changes that improve versatility. It’s part of the Louis Poulsen approach that places such an emphasis on honouring the Danish design tradition. Meanwhile, the new releases are set to land amidst a wider launch of new colours for the AJ lamp series; five new delicate pastel shades with striking tints will add even more life and contemporaneity to the already iconic collection.
Originally dating back to the 1950s with the design of architect Vilhelm Lauritzen, the VL 56 Pendant is an icon of elegance whose reintroduction is set to be marked by versatility and a newly uniform shine. The material finish is the only real change to the original design: where the cylinder was previously defined by a more matte finish, new versions feature a uniform shine thanks to its chrome-plated and polished brass finishes. As such, the new honours the design heritage while bringing it into a more contemporary visual aesthetic.
The VL56 Pendant’s name is derived from the year in which Lauritzen designed it as part of his gesamtkunstwerk, or total work of art, at The People’s House (Folkets Hus) in Copenhagen. The classic now returns in both chrome and brass; with its downward-directed light and elegant shapeliness, it adds a luxurious dimension to any setting. The perforated shade on the lower surface brings a final touch to the refined piece.
Two other reintroductions continue the theme of thoughtful and nuanced lighting design with their characteristically soft, diffuse light. The new , a larger version of the already successful Panthella 160 Portable, is arriving in autumn 2023 in its most flexible version yet. Designed originally by Verner Panton, the opal white, multipurpose lamp is made to last and can be used inside or outside. Its organic and playful design, combined with the diffused and harmonic lighting, mean that it is incredibly versatile – a quality topped off by its rechargeable nature.
Panton designed the Panthella in collaboration with Louis Poulsen in 1971, and this new version brings the same lighting qualities but in a smaller size. It’s glare-free light makes it ideal as a table lamp in cosy settings.
The is also small and features soft, diffused light, but arrives as a brand-new limited edition available only for a set time period between October 1 and December 31, 2023. Poul Henningsen designed it as an adjustable nightstand lamp in 1939 – indeed, it was known as ‘the bedside lamp’ – and can find a home anywhere from a windowsill or bookshelf to a restaurant table.
Louis Poulsen’s reintroduced version is slightly taller than the original but maintains a true connection in its form and function. It features mouth-blown, three-layer opal glass with an exterior gloss and interior matte, sandblasted finish, while the untreated brass will patina charmingly over time. Additionally, the head of the lamp can be adjusted by rotating it to suit your lighting needs, allowing you to direct the soft, diffused light at just the right angle, as it can be tilted 45 degrees to the left or right.
Taken together, these newly reintroduced icons of lighting certainly reinforce Louis Poulsen’s standing through both its Danish design lineage and ongoing commitment to excellence. From the new colour range to subtly updated classics, the legacy of Danish design goes on with these new lights.
Louis Poulsen
Photography
Courtesy of Louis Poulsen
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