Poul Henningsen was born in Copenhagen to the famous Danish actress Agnes Henningsen. He never graduated as an architect, but studied at The Technical School at Frederiksberg, Denmark from 1911-14, and then at Technical College in Copenhagen from 1914-17.
He started practicing traditional functionalistic architecture, but over the years his professional interests changed to focus mainly on lighting which is what he is most famous for. He also expanded his field of occupation into areas of writing, becoming a journalist and an author. For a short period at the beginning of WWII, he was the head architect of the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. But like many other creative people, he was forced to flee Denmark during the German occupation but soon became a vital part of the Danish colony of artists living in Sweden.
His lifelong collaboration with Louis Poulsen Lighting began in 1925 and lasted until his death. To this day, Louis Poulsen Lighting still benefits from his genius. Poul Henningsen was also the first editor of the company magazine “NYT”. The CEO of Louis Poulsen at the time, Sophus Kaastrup-Olsen, gave the magazine to PH as a gift because he had been terminated from the Danish newspaper he worked for (his opinions were too radical).
Poul Henningsen's pioneering work concerning the relations between light structures, shadows, glare, and color reproduction—compared to man’s need for light remains the fondation of the lighting theories still practiced by Louis Poulsen Lighting.
Poul Henningsen
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PH Artichoke in Brushed Brass – 60 Years Edition
A true icon never stops reinventing itself, and Poul Henningsen’s PH Artichoke has proven to be no exception. Since Henningsen designed the widely celebrated pendant in 1958, it has made itself at home all over the world, taking on new expressions with every new finish in interiors both classic and modern. This year, Louis Poulsen celebrates the design’s 60th anniversary with a beautiful new brushed brass edition, engraved with a unique number.
Originally designed for the Langelinie Pavillonen restaurant in Copenhagen, where it still hangs today, the sculptural PH Artichoke quickly drew attention with its unique, organic form – and its ability to instantly lend a space elegance and ambience. Keeping the source of light hidden within its layers of leaves, the pendant creates soft, glare-free illumination. The brushed brass finish, which gives the familiar shape a new expression, reflects today’s interior décor while bringing timeless warmth and sophistication to diverse interiors.
Material Leaves in punched brass. Top shade in spun steel. Frame high lustre chrome plated, laser cut steel.
Dimensions Ø48xH49,7cm or Ø60xH58cm
Light source Ø48cm 1 x E27
Light source Ø60cm 1 x E27 – 96W LED 2700K – 96W LED 3000K
Light driving Ø60cm Dimmable via wireless Bluetooth (20m)
white
stainless steel
copper
polished stainless steel
The PH Artichoke is considered to be a classical masterpiece made by Poul Henningsen more than 40 years ago. The structure is made of twelve steel arches. On this structure PH placed 72 copper “leaves” in twelve circular rows with six blades in each row. Because each row is staggered from the previous, all 72 leaves are able to “cover for each other”. This design allows viewing the fixture from any angle without being able to see the light source located in the center of the PH Artichoke. The original PH Artichokes were developed for a restaurant in Copenhagen called the Langelinie Pavilion, and they are still hanging there today.
Dimensions Ø48 x H49.7cm – Ø60 x H58cm – Ø72 x H65cm – Ø84 x H72cm
Light source Ø48cm 1 x E27
Light source Ø60cm 1 x E27, dimable LED circuit (96W, 27 lumen/W) ou dimable LED circuit 3000K (96W, 26 lumen/W)
Light source Ø72cm 1 x E27, dimable LED circuit (96W, 27 lumen/W) ou dimable LED circuit 3000K (96W, 26 lumen/W)
Light source Ø84cm 1 x E27, dimable LED circuit (96W, 27 lumen/W) ou dimable LED circuit 3000K (96W, 26 lumen/W)
Wiring The LED versions (Ø60, Ø72, Ø84 cm) are available in DALI wired version and Bluetooth (maximum distance between external driver and lamp: 20m).
Finish Copper (brushed and coated) – Stainless steel (brushed and coated) – White (wet painted) – Polished stainless steel.
Material Leaves: Punched copper, laser cut stainless steel or punched steel. Top shade: White, spun steel. Frame: High lustre chrome plated, laser cut steel. Suspension: High lustre chrome plated, spun aluminium.
Weight Min: 4.8 kg Max: 27.8 kg
Class Ingress protection IP20. Electric shock protection I w. ground.
