Press release, August 2016

The VL38 table, wall and floor lamp:

The ‘studio lamp’ from Radiohuset makes a comeback

In Fall 2016, Louis Poulsen will be relaunching the studio lamp that was originally designed specifically for the Radiohuset building in Copenhagen. The new model will be launched under the name of VL38 Table Lamp, and Louis Poulsen will be introducing it as part of a series that also features VL38 wall and floor lamps.

Vilhelm Lauritzen, one of the most prominent architects of the modernist and functionalist movements, designed the Radiohuset building and he also created all the light fittings for the project in partnership with Louis Poulsen. The VL38 Table Lamp was originally called the studio lamp because it was used in all the radio studios in the building.

The VL38 family is being launched in its original design, where the lamp head is organically shaped, painted white and obliquely angled. The arms of the light fittings are made of brass, and all the lamps have been fitted with LED light sources to accommodate contemporary advances in light technology and energy efficiency.

Light artist ahead of his time

“From the perspective of design, the VL38 family is related to the chandeliers Vilhelm Lauritzen created for Radiohuset. It is an extremely simple, functional and elegant series of lamps, and the combination of white and brass is both beautiful and timeless. The shape of the lamp head directs the light downwards, so it always provides pleasant, non-glaring illumination. All the lamp models are typical examples of Vilhelm Lauritzen’s approach to a modern and functional design idiom that also distinguishes his architecture,” relates Rasmus Markholt, Design Manager at Louis Poulsen.

Demand for the original studio lamp at auctions and antique markets today proves that Vilhelm Lauritzen’s lamps never go out of fashion, so Rasmus Markholt anticipates a strong comeback for the VL38 Table Lamp and the two versions of wall and floor lights on both Danish and international markets.

“Vilhelm Lauritzen was a master of the art of uniting materials and light. He carried out in-depth studies of daylight as early as in the 1920s, and throughout his working life he was devoted to developing and improving his lamps, which blended in harmoniously with the buildings he designed. The studio lamp has a firm base of fans to this day, and we are looking forward to relaunching one of Vilhelm Lauritzen’s popular creations, now as a complete family comprising table, wall and floor models,” adds Rasmus Markholt.

The VL38 table, wall and floor lamps lights be available in the US market in Fall 2016.

For more information and contact details for Louis Poulsen representatives, visit www.louispoulsen.com.

FACTS

About the VL38 table, wall and floor lamp

The VL38 family is born of functionalism. The light head is organically shaped, painted white and obliquely angled. The light arm, which is made of brass, features a small hinge on top to allow minute adjustment of the light head. The luminaire provides accurate downward light, making it ideal for use as a work light or as more general illumination.

The VL38 table lamp was originally designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen in partnership with Louis Poulsen for the construction of the Radiohuset building on Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, which is now home to the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

About Vilhelm Lauritzen – architect and designer

Vilhelm Lauritzen (1894–1984) is one of the most significant architects in the history of Denmark; he was the trail-blazing figurehead of functionalism in Denmark. He is the architect behind a range of well-known buildings, including Nørrebro Theatre, Daells Varehus department store (the Skt. Petri Hotel today), the Radiohuset building and the famous Terminal 39 at Kastrup Airport. Other significant buildings to stem from Vilhelm Lauritzen’s drawing board include Folkets Hus (known today as the Vega concert venue), the Shellhuset building and the Danish embassy in Washington, D.C. In particular the Radiohuset building and the earliest version of Kastrup Airport – both listed today – are considered peerless monuments to modernism in the European genre of construction.

About Vilhelm Lauritzen and his partnership with Louis Poulsen

Vilhelm Lauritzen was not just one of the most prominent, respected and productive architects in Danish history, he was also a master of the art of uniting materials and light. He devoted his working life to developing and improving his lamps, which blended in harmoniously with the buildings he designed. As early as in the 1920s, he conducted thorough studies of daylight, and he developed the principles of his lighting technology through methods including juxtaposing the warm, distinctive sunlight with the cooler and more diffuse sky light. He was extremely conscious of the effect of reflected light, for example, and of how light falls and creates shadows and soft tones. He took an inventive and scientific approach to constructing lamps, light fittings that, from the perspective of design, are just as relevant today as they were 80 years ago.

Louis Poulsen worked closely with Vilhelm Lauritzen on the lighting solutions for many of his projects, and the partnership produced a great many lamps. Many of them were available in stores in the 1940s and 1950s, and then on through the following decades, after which they were quietly and gradually dropped from the range. However, they remain highly visible and much sought after at antique markets and auctions.

Vilhelm Lauritzen also designed what is known as the ‘Ambassadekrone’, a chandelier originally created for the Danish embassy in Washington. Decorated with hundreds of small glass bells, examples can still be seen today in the foyer of the Royal Theatre, for example.

In addition to the VL38 series, Louis Poulsen is soon to relaunch the VL45 Radiohus Pendant, which was also originally designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen for the Radiohuset building.

About Louis Poulsen – the light manufacturer with a bright lighting philosophy

Louis Poulsen is a world-famous Danish manufacturer of designer lamps that has been supplying the market for 140 years. Through close working relationships with elite designers and world-famous architects – both contemporary and now departed – such as Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Vilhelm Lauritzen, Øivind Slaatto, nendo/Oki Sato, Shoichi Uchiyama, Anu Moser and Louise Campbell, the company has created lighting solutions including the PH Artichoke, the PH 5 and a host of other PH models, as well as the Collage, Enigma and AJ series. Briefly put, a range of lighting solutions that covers everything from classics to sophisticated design, for private and professional use.

A large proportion of Louis Poulsen’s products have been developed in connection with specific projects. The designer lamps have thus come into being as solutions to specific lighting assignments.

In other words, behind every Louis Poulsen product is the story of its creation. These are products whose designers focused on light itself, on the idea behind the product, and on refinement of an architect’s, light designer’s or furnishing designer’s ideas and visions about light – all in harmony with Louis Poulsen’s own lighting philosophy, which is explained in more detail below.

The history of Louis Poulsen in brief:

• The company can trace its history back to the end of the 1800s. In the early 1900s, Louis Poulsen took over management of the business from his uncle. This marked the start of Louis Poulsen as we know the company today.

• The year 1924 saw the initiation of Poul Henningen’s (PH) working relationship with Louis Poulsen & Co. when the designer was looking to participate in an international exhibition for decorative art in Paris: the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs & Industriels Modernes. PH won the gold medal at the prestigious event.

• In 1926, Louis Poulsen and Poul Henningsen won the tender to create the lighting solution for the newly built Forum building in Copenhagen. This resulted in the now legendary PH lamp with three shades. Marketing of the lamps was launched that same year. The company’s first catalogue was published with text in Danish, English, French and German.

• In the 1920s, Poul Henningsen continued to develop Louis Poulsen’s lighting philosophy that became a strong, timeless cornerstone throughout the history of the business – and which the new management today has dusted off and endorsed in full. Briefly put, the lighting philosophy is founded on three concepts: Function – Comfort – Ambience. The functional objective of the light must always be fulfilled; no component is to be incorporated into the light unless it has a clear, light-related function.

• In 2005, Louis Poulsen moved production from its Sluseholmen premises to a new location in Vejen, Jutland, with 180 workplaces.

• Louis Poulsen currently employs 420 people at its factory in Vejen, its head office on Gammel Strand in Copenhagen, and showrooms in cities including Stockholm, Tokyo, Oslo and Los Angeles.

• Louis Poulsen has now consolidated its development, sales and marketing activities at Gammel Strand 28, where the company has its head office and showroom (where visitors are welcome).

For additional information, pictures and interviews:

US Market Inquiries:

Contact Debi McAvoy, Director of Marketing at Louis Poulsen, USA, Inc.

Tel. (954) 349-2525. Email: .

Image download: http://bit.ly/LPpress