About Poul Henningsen

Poul Henningsen was born in Denmark in 1894 and died in Denmark in 1967. Besides being an architect, he was also a writer and critic, and therefore had many judgments about statements and theories.

Henningsen had two marriages, the first was Else, from 1919 to 1942. The second marriage was with Inger, from 1943 to 1967. With Else, the woman from his first marriage, Poul had a son, Simon Henningsen. Poul had another son, Sten Hegeler. Sten he got together with Ellen Hegeler, but whether he has had a relationship with this woman can not be traced. The name Aksel Hegeler is also called and would be the biological father of Sten. Poul Henningsen was the illegitimate son of satirist Carl Ewald and author Agnes Henningsen.

Designer of designer lamps

Since Poul Henningsen was 18 years old, he was involved in the design of lamps, including lights on the bedside table. In 1925 he designed the well-known PH lamps. He grew up with the kerosene lamp and not with lamps connected to the electric mains. He used the soft light of the kerosene lamp as inspiration and wild lamps on electricity gave the same soft glow.

Architect in Copenhagen

Poul started in Copenhagen as an independent architect, this was in the year 1920. He designed various houses, but also the interior of two theaters, a factory and a part of Tivoli (an amusement park in Copenhagen).

Known design with light: PH5

He wanted to create light rays that would not dazzle. The PH5 and PH Artichoke are the best known designs by Poul. The PH5, also called the PH lamp, was a lampshade with a modern look that reflected the light so that the light shone in several directions.

PH Artichoke

The PH Artichoke was a lamp with the correct reflection of the light, the PH Artichoke had a modern design with laser-cut steel leaves. Due to the great success, the PH lamp is still available. The lamps designed by Poul Henningsen were taken into production by the Louis Poulsen brand.

Well-known designs and designs by Paul Henningsen

Special designs also in the name of Poul Henningsen are the Glassalen for Tivolli Gardens in Copenhagen. In addition, the PH Grand Piano, which reached the New York Metropolitan Museum.