Louis Poulsen traces its origins of designing through light back to Poul Henningsen’s seminal three-shade system and his view on the dualities within design and light. From the start in 1924, the company has pioneered modern lighting design by embracing a Scandinavian sensibility about light.
In a region where light becomes a precious commodity during the darker months of the year, the Copenhagen-based design brand is uniquely qualified to understand the importance of well-balanced lighting. Also a bastion of sleek design where form meets function, Scandinavia sets the scene for Louis Poulsen designs that are both thoughtful and chic.
Poul Henningsen with his designs, courtesy of Louis Poulsen.
Original Inspiration
A native Dane with a diverse career spanning two world wars, Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) is best known for his modern lighting designs for the Danish company, Louis Poulsen.
Henningsen is often referred to as PH in Denmark, beloved for both his contributions to Danish culture and his design ingenuity. His PH 5 Pendant hangs in at least half the homes in Denmark, and it remains a popular wedding gift and heirloom nearly 65 years after its initial release.
Henningsen was a major contributor to Louis Poulsen’s philosophy of “function, comfort and ambience.”
We spoke with the designer from his Copenhagen studio about design, music and how the Fibonacci Sequence factored into his Patera designs for Louis Poulsen.
The Makers:
An international icon, the PH Artichoke was introduced in 1958 by Danish powerhouse Poul Henningsen. Originally called the PH Kogle (Danish for pinecone), the visually stunning, mid-century modern classic design became an instant favorite, and remains so decades later.
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