Louis Poulsen introduces Toldbod in four new sizes. The new Toldbod allow for even more ways to experiment with classic minimalism in all types of space and still ensure perfect soft and glare-free downward lighting. The new sizes, Toldbod Ø170 and Ø250, are available in all the muted colours, and Toldbod Ø400 and Ø550 are available in black and white.
Due to its intriguing design history, Toldbod is arguably more than a design classic. Louis Poulsen developed the first Toldbod in 1982 based on the drawings of legendary architect and designer Poul Henningsen’s innovative outdoor lamp Ellipse Luminaire from 1966, which illuminated residential areas around Greater Copenhagen after dark.
The Ellipse Luminaire stands out because of its specific lighting pattern: the elliptical shade creates an elliptical reflector, which mirrors the light in a way that ensures a glare-free, soft and even light distribution, as well as focused light.
Poul Henningsen publicly shared his thoughts on the design as far back as at the World Fair in Paris in 1925 where he visualised everything in one single constructive drawing on display at the Danish Pavilion.
According to Poul Henningsen, the same lighting benefits are not found in lamps with cone-shaped shades, as for example the Luxo lamp, also known as the architect lamp. Even though Poul Henningsen said that he used plenty of exactly the same architect lamps himself, he once stated:
“Such are the times. Rather a new and poorer shade than the good and sensible one that has been used so far.”
Toldbod provides the same lighting qualities as those found in the original Ellipse Luminaire due to PH’s elliptical reflector, which appears intact even though the shape of the shades differs slightly. The distinctive minimalistic shape of the Toldbod complements interiors classically on its own, as well as in rows and clusters.
The new Toldbod sizes will be available in stores from September 2019.
Founded in 1874, Danish lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen creates products that encompass the duality of design and light. Every detail in the design has a purpose. Every design starts and ends with light. Louis Poulsen offers a range of lighting aimed at the commercial and domestic lighting markets, with lighting fixtures and solutions for both indoor and outdoor applications. In close partnership with designers and architects like Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Øivind Slaatto, Alfred Homann, Oki Sato, and GamFratesi, Louis Poulsen has established itself as one of the world's key suppliers of architectural and decorative lighting and has a global presence with dedicated showrooms in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Miami, Oslo, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Dusseldorf.
Press release, August 2019