Logarithmic Glow

A STUDY IN LIGHT with LOUIS POULSEN

Few designers approached light with the rigour of Poul Henningsen. In the 1920s, he set out to eliminate glare and sculpt illumination with scientific precision, developing his now-iconic three-shade system based on the principles of the logarithmic spiral. Each shade was calculated to distribute light evenly, directing it downward where needed while diffusing a soft, glare-free glow outward. The result was not merely a lamp, but a philosophy of lighting that balanced mathematics and atmosphere. Nearly a century on, the PH system remains one of the most recognisable silhouettes in design history, celebrated for its quiet intelligence as much as its sculptural form.

Louis Poulsen’s PH 2/1 Limited Edition revisits this legacy through a refined, collectible iteration. Petite in scale, the 2024 edition features mouth-blown, four-layered terracotta glass shades paired with lacquered aged brass, each stem delicately engraved with Henningsen’s initials, P.H, a detail reserved exclusively for annual limited releases. Subtle variations in the handmade glass lend individuality to every piece, while the treated brass base offers a considered patina that remains constant over time. It honours the designer’s original 1930s forms while introducing a warmth distinct from the classic white opal editions.

The lamp settles into our living space effortlessly, bridging eras through tone and proportion. By day, natural light catches the terracotta glass and reveals layers of soft yellow reflections that feel almost sunlit. As evening falls and the lamp is switched on, it emits a gentle amber glow that pools warmly across wood surfaces and muted walls. The interplay between daylight reflection and nocturnal radiance allows the piece to shape the room’s rhythm with subtle authority. Timeless yet intimate, it demonstrates how considered design can quietly define a space.

in partnership with louispoulsen.com