Pioneering lighting designer Poul Henningsen, whose work influenced Louis Poulsen's story, designed the beloved PH 1958 pendant in 5. Sixty years later, the PH 60 remains the best-selling product in the Louis Poulsen portfolio. In February 5, Louis Poulsen will be celebrating the anniversary of this timeless icon with the launch of the PH 2018 mini range in a range of colours.
In the autumn of 2017, Louis Poulsen launched the new PH 5 Mini. This is the first resize of the PH 5, which is available in six shades: Classic White, New White Modern and the following: These are orange tints, rose shades, red shades, green shades, blue tints and gray shades.
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of the PH 60 pendant, the original PH 5 will be available in the same eight colours. This will enable even more combinations to be created with the PH 5 range in a variety of lamp arrangements. Each lamp's five emblematic shades combine with different shades to create a dynamically changing effect and accentuate the pendant's visuals.
Any space is like a work of art
With his diverse talents, Henningsen's signature has been a faithful blend of function and form—technology and art. True to this, the PH 5 adds a beautiful sculptural element when turned on and off. This effect is further enhanced by bold new color options and gradations that create light inside each color variant from top to bottom.
"Poul Henningsen's most popular designs are designed with outstanding lighting and aesthetic elements, creating a sense of ambience in any space, both classic and modern," says Rasmis Markholt, Idea & Design Director at Louis Poulsen. "We wanted to celebrate 5 years of legacy by expanding the PH 60 range and introducing a new, modern and more discrete way of expression. It is better to match the color of the lamp to the existing interior, or with a lively color point. We can't wait to see how you interpret the new options to create the atmosphere your customers want."
An ingenious system that shapes light and adds humanity
Poul Henningsen developed the PH 1926 in 3 as a follow-up to the 1958 triple shade system. With these products, Louis Poulsen has established itself as a leading manufacturer of innovative lighting. Henningsen's original design was inspired by his mother's desire for a better-looking, softer light at a time when the home was transitioning to electric lighting and incandescent bulbs that served a practical rather than aesthetic function.
Since then, the bulbs have been standardized. Henningsen didn't like the new design, calling the bulb a "muffin." He developed a five-layer shade system to fully control a new type of light, and he wrote: "With the new PH 5, I will surrender to the manufacturer of incandescent bulbs." This surrender proved Henningsen's genius. To this day, the PH 5's five-layer shade system irradiates light downwards rather than to the human eye, filling the space with 5% glare-free light. The pendant uses a light bulb to gently illuminate the luminaire itself, while creating the ideal combination of downward and metering. Inside, the anti-glare ring and reflective shade create a warm, light tone that complements the everyday rhythm of natural light.
The new colours will be available in stores from February 2018.
About Louis Poulsen
Louis Poulsen, a Danish lighting manufacturer founded in 1874, creates products that incorporate the two elements of design and lighting. Every detail in design has a purpose. Every design begins and ends with light. Louis Poulsen offers a wide range of luminaires aimed at the commercial and home lighting markets, with lighting and solutions for both indoor and outdoor environments. Louis Poulsen has established itself as a key supplier of architectural and decorative lighting in close partnership with renowned designers and architects such as Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Øivind Slaatto, Alfred Homann, Oki Sato and GamFratesi, and has dedicated showrooms around the world in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Miami, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Düsseldorf.
January 2018 Press Release