In autumn 2022, Louis Poulsen presents two very special limited-edition fixtures by celebrated Danish architect Poul Henningsen; the timeless PH 3/3 Limited Edition Pendant and the world-famous classic PH 3/2 Limited Edition Table, both in exclusive brass and mouth-blown opal glass, marked with PH’s initials. With each their lighting profile, the luminaires offer unmatched soft and glare-free lighting and an instant warm, modern atmosphere for any type of décor.
The striking top shade in brass characterises the 2022 limited editions by Poul Henningsen. In addition, it directs the light downwards, beautifully reflected by the white inner reflector. Paired with classic opal glass shades, the PH 3/3 Limited Edition Pendant and the PH 3/2 Limited Edition Table provide their own golden glow, which completes any modern home.
The PH 3/3 Limited Edition Pendant is easily recognisable with its rounder, more compact shape, which ensures flawless general illumination combined with cosy atmospheric lighting that is so characteristic of the reflective System PH. It also comes with an original diffuser in frosted glass, which is easy to insert for an even softer distribution of light.
Looking back, the PH 3/3 Pendant was one of the first fixtures to be based on the System PH, which Poul Henningsen began developing in the 1920s and which would later lead to his worldwide recognition. He called the three-shade pendant a whole number size and designed it to hang high in a space, in order for it to emit a pleasant general light, not unlike that of the chandeliers at the beginning of the 20th century, before electric light became common.
The PH 3/2 Limited Edition Table is known as a hybrid size. Poul Henningsen designed it specifically to provide optimum lighting and a warm ambience, creating an island of light on, for example, a table, a dresser or a windowsill. He introduced the PH 3/2 Table together with Louis Poulsen, only a year after developing the System PH, which helped set new standards for how effective and pleasant table lamp lighting could be.
Poul Henningsen’s rational lighting system also takes the materials and surfaces of the lampshades into consideration, in order to curb glare and utilize shadow. When introducing the PH 3/2 in 1927, PH started using opal glass shades too. And two years later, he began combining materials like copper and opal glass in his designs, to further cater for lighting needs, ensuring the very highest quality of light. With the introduction of the limited editions PH 3/2 Table and PH 3/3 Pendant in 2022, Louis Poulsen continues PH’s line of thinking. The combination of brass and three-layered mouth-blown opal glass in both editions offers a particularly soft and uniform distribution of light.
The PH 3/3 Limited Edition Pendant comes with a specially designed brass canopy. On both fixtures, the brass is characterised by its fine lines that follow the round shape of the fixture, as is the top shade. And as collector’s items, both lamps are marked with PH’s initials on the socket house. The brass will patinate exquisitely over time, but the original finish can be maintained, if polished carefully now and again.
The PH 3/3 Limited Edition Pendant and PH 3/2 Limited Edition Table provide any space with a fashionable golden touch, exuding a special feeling of cosy luxury. The PH 3/3 Limited Edition Pendant looks striking in a row high above a large table in a concept store or hotel, as it will on its own in a smaller hallway in a private home. The PH 3/2 Limited Edition Table stands out while adding pleasant and highly practical lighting on a windowsill or on a table in the hall, the bedroom, living room or dining area, alone or in pairs. It will furthermore provide a modern, golden boost to restaurants or hotels, as it will elevate the atmosphere in reception or recreational areas. Both luminaires are recognisable modern Danish retro designs that will complement modern surroundings, and classic architectural settings alike.
The limited editions of PH 3/3 Pendant and PH 3/2 Table will be available in stores from 1 October to 31 December 2022 only.
About Poul Henningsen
Poul Henningsen was born in Copenhagen to the famous Danish writer Agnes Henningsen. He never graduated as an architect but studied at the Technical School in Frederiksberg from 1911-14 and then at the Technical College in Copenhagen from 1914-17. He started out designing traditional functionalistic architecture, but over the years he changed his professional focus to concentrate on lighting, which is what he is most famous for. He also expanded professionally into writing, becoming a journalist and an author. For a short period at the beginning of World War II, he was head architect of the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. But, like many other creative people, he was forced to flee Denmark during the German occupation. However, he soon became an important member of the Danish colony of artists living in Sweden. His lifelong collaboration with Louis Poulsen began in 1925 and lasted until his death. To this day, Louis Poulsen still benefits from his genius. Poul Henningsen was also the first editor of the company magazine NYT. Sophus Kaastrup-Olsen, CEO of Louis Poulsen at the time, gave the magazine to PH as a gift because he had been terminated from the Danish newspaper for which he worked (in the opinion of the newspaper management, his opinions were too radical). Poul Henningsen’s pioneering work on the relationship between light structures, shadows, glare, colour reproduction and man’s need for light remains the foundation of the lighting theories still practised by Louis Poulsen.
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 illumination and solutions for both indoor and outdoor applications. In close partnership with designers, architects and other talents like Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Vilhelm Lauritzen, Øivind Slaatto, Olafur Eliasson, Oki Sato and Anne Boysen, Louis Poulsen has established itself as one of the key global suppliers of architectural and decorative lighting and has a global presence with showrooms in Copenhagen, Miami, Oslo, Tokyo, Singapore and Dusseldor