Poul Henningsen, lighting design pioneer whose work shaped the Louis Poulsen story, designed his celebrated PH 5 pendant in 1958. Six decades later, the PH 5 remains the bestselling design in the company’s portfolio. In February 2018, to mark the sixtieth anniversary of this timeless design icon, Louis Poulsen will release the PH 5 pendant in a vibrant range of colors to match the recently launched suite of PH 5 Minis.
In fall of 2017, Louis Poulsen launched the PH 5 Mini – the first-ever resize of the PH 5 – in classic white, a new white modern, and six vibrant new color combinations: hues of Orange, hues of Rose, hues of Red, hues of Green, hues of Blue, and hues of Gray.
In celebration of the PH 5 pendant’s sixtieth anniversary, the original PH 5 will also be made available in these eight colors, offering even more opportunities to harmonize the PH 5 family, particularly when hanging the lamps in multiples. The combination of hues on each of the lamp’s five iconic shades creates a dynamic gradient effect, enhancing the pendants’ visual impact.
A sculptural mood-setter for any space
True to the multi-talented Henningsen’s signature balance of function and form – of technology and art, the PH 5 serves as a beautiful sculptural element whether it is turned on or off. This effect is enhanced by the bold new color options and the top-to-bottom graduations from dark to light within each color variant.
“Every interior – whether classic or modern – can benefit from the exceptional lighting and aesthetic qualities of Poul Henningsen’s most popular design,” says Rasmus Markholt, Idea & Design Director at Louis Poulsen. “We wanted to celebrate the lamp’s six-decade legacy by expanding the PH 5 family to complement any space and open it up for new, modern, and personal expression. The lamps can be subtly incorporated into existing décor – or bring a bold pop of color. We look forward to seeing how people interpret the new options in creating their ideal ambiance.”
An ingenious system to shape and humanize light
Poul Henningsen developed the PH 5 in 1958 as a follow-up to his celebrated three-shade system, which was launched in 1926 and put Louis Poulsen on the map as the leading manufacturer of innovative lighting fixtures. Henningsen’s original design had been inspired by his mother’s wish for softer and more flattering light in an era when homes were still transitioning to electric lighting and incandescent bulbs, whose effects were more utilitarian than aesthetic.
Later, when light bulbs were standardized (a design shift that displeased Henningsen, who called the new bulbs “muffins”), he responded with the five-shade system, gaining complete control over this new type of light and quipping that, “With the new PH 5, I surrender to the light bulb manufacturers.” This surrender proved to be a statement of Henningsen’s genius, and to this day, the PH 5’s five-shade system continues to infuse spaces with 100% glare-free, even illumination, with the majority of light shining downward into the space it illuminates rather than into people’s eyes. The pendant uses a light bulb, producing the ideal combination of downward and lateral light, which also gently illuminates the fixture itself. Interior anti-glare rings and reflectors ensure a warm tone of light that complements the daily rhythm of natural light.
The new colors will be available in stores.
About Louis Poulsen
Founded in 1874, the 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 lights 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 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.
North American Media Contacts:
Alyssa Young, bde | alyssa@bdeonline.biz | (212) 353-1383
Press release, January 2018