Louis Poulsen PH 80: Poul Henningsen’s Posthumous Tribute to Glare-Free Light
Created in 1974 as a posthumous tribute to Poul Henningsen on what would have been his 80th birthday, the PH 80 lamp collection represents Louis Poulsen’s enduring partnership with Denmark’s pioneering lighting designer.
The PH 80 honors Henningsen’s scientific approach to glare-free illumination through the iconic three-shade system he developed in 1925-26.
The original PH 80 features a distinctive red top reflector that softens the glow and adds warmth to the light, creating atmospheric ambient illumination. The three-shade design, based on logarithmic spirals, ensures even light distribution across each shade’s curvature while controlling glare and shadows. Each opal acrylic shade reduces light equally due to its distance from the source, directing the majority of illumination downward while providing comfortable room lighting.
The PH 80 Table Lamp offers both functional and aesthetic lighting suitable for private homes and professional environments. Its diffused, reflected, symmetrical light creates warm shadows and comfortable ambient glow. The white version features a white top reflector for clean, elegant illumination, while the classic design maintains Henningsen’s original red top.
The PH 80 Portable Lamp extends this heritage design into cordless convenience, bringing Henningsen’s principles of indirect, warm, and diffuse lighting to flexible applications. Both versions embody the design philosophy that defined Henningsen’s lifelong collaboration with Louis Poulsen from 1924 until his death in 1967.
Poul Henningsen (1894-1967) revolutionized lighting design as a Danish architect, designer, writer, and cultural critic. His systematic approach to lighting, producing around a thousand different models throughout his career, established the foundation for Louis Poulsen’s continued innovation in light delivery systems as architectural elements. The PH 80 stands as testament to his mastery, combining heritage craftsmanship with timeless expression that remains relevant in contemporary interiors.
Images and content courtesy of Louis Poulsen
Find out more about their work at https://www.louispoulsen.com
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