Design story
The PH5 pendant light is a masterpiece of modern lighting design that seamlessly blends form and function. Designed by renowned Danish designer Poul Henningsen in 1958 and manufactured by Louis Poulsen, the PH5 pendant has become an enduring symbol of Danish design excellence and continues to captivate design enthusiasts around the world.
At first glance, the PH5 pendant is a harmonious arrangement of layered shades, meticulously crafted to provide both aesthetic appeal and exceptional illumination. Its name is derived from its 50-centimeter diameter, which is a nod to its proportions. The pendant is ingeniously designed to ensure an even distribution of light, eliminating glare and creating a warm and welcoming ambiance in any space.
When the lamp was introduced, he wrote about how he had lost faith that the manufacturers of incandescent light bulbs would ever learn to consider common sense or put the customer first: “I have accepted fate, and with Louis Poulsen´s permission I have designed a PH fixture, which can be used with any kind of light source, Christmas lights and 100 W metal filament bulbs. Although a fluorescent tube would be too much to ask in the existing form!” Henningsen wanted to improve the colour reproduction characteristics of the light source in the Louis Poulsen Ph5 Pendant.
Henningsen’s innovative design approach is evident in the PH5’s multi-shade system. The pendant consists of three reflecting shades and two smaller, colored shades. The larger shades diffuse the majority of the light, while the smaller inner shades add a pop of color and further assist in preventing glare. This clever arrangement not only enhances the pendant’s visual appeal but also showcases Henningsen’s deep understanding of light and its interaction with different materials.
As decades have passed since its creation, the PH5 pendant’s appeal remains undiminished. It continues to grace homes, offices, and commercial spaces, illuminating interiors with its gentle glow and captivating design.
