Fans of Danish lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen will be delighted (pun intended) with the 304-page monograph “Louis Poulsen: First House of Light.” Published by Phaidon and written by former Wallpaper* editor TF Chan, it celebrates the brand’s 150th anniversary. The monograph delves into the rich history and enduring legacy of Louis Poulsen, from its founding to its modern innovations.
Louis Poulsen: First House of Light, published by Phaidon
Louis Poulsen: First House of Light by TF Chan is published by Phaidon, £59.95, available from Waterstones
(Image credit: Courtesy of Phaidon)
For this design book, Chan was given full access to the company’s archives, its extensive library of old catalogs and other publications, and a long list of past and current employees as part of his research for the book. “It was pretty amazing to be given that kind of access and to be able to delve so deeply into a single company,” says Chan.
Poul Henningsen at home with a PH 5 lamp. In the background you can see the Contrast lamp from 1962.
(Image credit: Image credit: Courtesy and copyright © Louis Poulsen (pages 46-47))
The book uncovers and brings to light many wonderful stories from Louis Poulsen’s design history. Who knew, for example, that the original petals of the artichoke that Poul Henningsen designed for the Langelinie Pavilion in Copenhagen in 1958 were painted pale pink on the inside to give the light “a rosier glow that would complement the skin tones of the Langelinie Pavilion’s guests”? Or that during World War II Henningsen developed a blackout lamp for the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, which only gained approval from the city authorities when they were invited to view the lamp from the 105 m high tower of the City Hall next to the park?
Campaign image from Louis Poulsen from 2020, showing the newly launched black version of the PH Artichoke in four sizes.
(Image credit: Courtesy and copyright © Louis Poulsen (page 115))
After looking back at the 150-year history and the importance of Poul Henningsen in the development of the brand, the book examines the production of Louis Poulsen’s products today. Around 85% of all lamps are still manufactured or finally assembled in Vejen, Denmark. Although the company uses the latest technology, it still places great importance on maintaining the human touch.
A 2012 photo of the dining hall of St Catherine’s College in Oxford (UK) with the AJ Oxford table lamp (custom made by Louis Poulsen) built into the long oak tables.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Phaidon)
“The use of modern manufacturing technologies, the employment of highly skilled craftsmen and the training of new generations of them distinguish Louis Poulsen as a leading lighting company,” Chan writes in the book.
Finally, it examines how Louis Poulsen uses the legacy of Poul Henningsen and Verner Panton’s designs to appeal to a new generation of designers such as Louise Campbell, Øivind Slaatto, Nendo and GamFratesi, and how the company is promoted through publications, catalogues and exhibitions at home and abroad.
A close-up of the original PH Artichoke at Langelinie Pavilion. The copper leaves have been lightly brushed and varnished on the outside and coated with a reflective layer of pale pink paint on the inside to give a rosier glow that complements the skin tone of Langelinie Pavilion guests.
(Photo credit: © Langelinie Pavillonen / Photo: Kjeld Helmer Petersen (page 116))
Beautifully designed by Studio Claus Due, the publication uses the pale pink colour of the original Artichoke both on the cover and as chapter dividers. It contains more than 300 illustrations and photos. This is truly a treasure trove of information shedding light on one of Denmark’s most iconic design brands.
Louis Poulsen: First House of Light by TF Chan is published by Phaidon, £59.95, available at Water stones
louispoulsen.com
The original PH Septima in white with alternating clear and frosted stripes radiating from the center of each shade. Frosted stripes always cover the clear stripes below to better diffuse light and minimize glare.
(Photo credit: © Photo: Bent Ryberg (page 108))
LUNARK by SAGA Space Architects in Moriusaq in the far north of Greenland, where founders Sebastian Aristotelis and Karl-Johan Sørensen spent sixty days conducting a behavioral study.
(Image credit: Image credit: © SAGA Space Architects (page 94))
Vilhelm Lauritzen’s VL45 Radiohus pendant, reinstated in the Louis Poulsen catalogue in 2016 and photographed in the Radio House for which it was originally designed. Below is the VLA75 Foyer Bench, also by the architect.
(Image credit: Image credit: Courtesy and copyright © Louis Poulsen (page 146))
Louis Poulsen: First House of Light by TF Chan is published by Phaidon, £59.95 (Phaidon.com)
(Image credit: Courtesy of Phaidon)
