The History
Louis Poulsen is a Danish lighting company founded in 1874 originally as a wine importing business. In 1924, they hired architect Vilhelm Lauritzen to design a new headquarters, which would become known as the Radiohus.
The Design
The Radiohus building was completed in 1941 and was designed with functionalism in mind. It offered a modernist aesthetic with a focus on simplicity, functionality, and ergonomics.
One of the most significant elements of the Radiohus was the lighting designed by Poul Henningsen. These light fixtures were a groundbreaking design and are still highly sought after today. They provided the building with an elegant yet functional appearance that perfectly complemented the overall building design.
The Lighting Design by Poul Henningsen
Poul Henningsen’s lighting design for the Radiohus was a significant factor in the building’s success. He created a lighting system that was both innovative and timeless, using a combination of direct and indirect lighting techniques to provide the perfect ambiance.
Henningsen’s most recognizable design is the PH Artichoke Pendant lamp, which features sculptural folds with 72 leaves that are tilted and layered to create a soft, glare-free light. The lamp has been in production since 1958 and is still available today, a testament to its design’s longevity and popularity.
The Radiohus Renovation
In 1985, the Radiohus was renovated to accommodate the Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s changing needs. While a significant portion of the original design elements were retained, some changes were inevitable.
The renovation added two new floors to the building’s original ten, but the most significant change was the removal of the original Poul Henningsen-designed lighting fixtures. The replacement fittings were not designed to replicate the lighting’s aesthetic, leading to a loss of the building’s original ambiance.
In 2018, Louis Poulsen restored the Radiohus lighting fixtures to their original design, bringing the building’s elegant ambiance back to life. The restoration project took over two years and involved extensive research and collaboration with experts to bring the building’s lighting back to its former glory.
The Legacy
The Radiohus is an iconic building that continues to inspire designers and architects to this day. Its design philosophy, which prioritizes functionality and simplicity, has been influential in shaping modernist movements worldwide.
While the original lighting fixtures may have been lost during the building’s renovation, Louis Poulsen’s restoration has revived the Radiohus’s elegance and reminded us of the importance of good lighting design. The legacy of the Radiohus will continue to inspire and shape the modernist aesthetic for years to come.