A special tribute to Arne Jacobsen and the 60th anniversary of the SAS Royal Hotel
In 2020, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen (Radisson Collection), Louis Poulsen is reintroducing the original versions of AJ Table Mini and AJ Royal.
In addition, all versions of the AJ Lamp are being re-launched in stainless steel, which reflects their surroundings, emphasizes their minimalist and distinctive shape and design, and accentuates their impeccable illumination. Louis Poulsen will also release three new special edition colors that will only be available in 2020; Original Gray, Pale Rose, and Ultra Blue.
Arne Jacobsen designed the AJ Lamp for the SAS Royal Hotel in 1957. Today, it is the design that the Danish architect is best known for all over the world. In combination with the pendant, AJ Royal, the AJ Lamp comprised part of the overall design concept that Jacobsen created for the hotel.
The AJ Lamp, in copper and stainless steel, was used in several parts of the hotel. A copper version of the AJ Royal, which at the time was simply called the AJ Pendant, could be found above the tables in the snack bar behind the atrium, in the lounge on the 1st floor, and in the Panorama Lounge on the 21st floor. The hotel opened in 1960, and with 22 floors, it gave Copenhagen its first real high-rise building, clearly inspired by New York skyscrapers.
The AJ Royal is available in white, in its two original sizes. A new, smaller version joins the line-up in 2020 as well, along with the reintroduction of the series in black. The AJ Royal retains its classic, graphic look as sharply as ever – irrespective of whether it is lighting up a dining table, is used in an office, or displayed in a showroom. Its design ensures even and flawless downward lighting, and its muted upward light provides a pleasant ambiance in any space. The new, energy-saving LED versions of all three sizes of pendants come with a diffusor that offers even smoother, 100% glare-free lighting.
The AJ Table Mini will be available in is original stainless steel version and in all of the existing colors. It looks particularly at home on a windowsill, on a bedside table, or in combination with other occasional furniture.
The new AJ versions will be available in stores from Spring 2020.
About Arne Jacobsen
Arne Jacobsen was born and raised in Copenhagen. In 1927, he graduated as an architect from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. After graduating, he obtained his first job at the office of the City Architect of Copenhagen, launching his own office only two years later. Arne Jacobsen is a world-famous Danish modernistic architect. He has designed numerous buildings in Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Among his most famous projects are the National Bank in Copenhagen (1971); SAS Royal Hotel & Terminal, Copenhagen (1960); and St. Catherine’s College in Oxford, UK (1963). It is said that his fear of flying inhibited him from making a full impact on the American Architectural environment.
As an architect, Arne Jacobsen had very strong decision-making skills, making it possible for him to influence not only the design of the building itself but the majority of its details. Over the years, he ventured into various fields related to his work, such as light fixtures, furniture, cutlery, door handles, sanitary fixtures, fabrics, and wallpaper patterns. "The Egg" and "The Swan" are two famous chairs designed by Jacobsen.
During Arne Jacobsen’s lifetime, he received several prestigious awards both at home and abroad. He was a professor at the Royal Danish Academy for 11 years and through that, influenced an entire generation of Danish Architects. Each of his students eventually developed their own architectural language, built upon Jacobsen's rationalistic and minimalist approach toward architecture.
About Louis Poulsen
In 1924, Poul Henningsen created his influential Paris lamp for Louis Poulsen. The origin of how we still design to shape light can directly be traced back to his views on the dualities of design and light.
Founded in 1874, Louis Poulsen is a Danish lighting manufacturer born out of the Scandinavian design tradition where form follows function. The function and design of our products are tailored to reflect and support the rhythm of natural light. Every detail in the design has a purpose. Every design starts and ends with light.
We believe in passionate craftsmanship that produces quality lighting, and we design products that are both pleasing to the eye and to the light.
In close partnership with designers, architects, and other talents like Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Øivind Slaatto, Alfred Homann, Oki Sato, and Louise Campbell, we have established ourselves as one of the key global suppliers of architectural and decorative lighting. Our products defy traditional product categories, serving and spanning the professional and private lighting markets for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Our means are simple and beautiful design. Our purpose is to create an attractive ambiance that affects people and spaces.
We design to shape light.