Some lamps are born from a building. The VL 45 Radiohus is one of them: designed by architect Vilhelm Lauritzen for the Danish Broadcasting House (Radiohuset), it has remained one of the most appreciated lighting fixtures of Scandinavian functionalism–sober, luminous, and built to last.
Vilhelm Lauritzen, a figure of Danish functionalism
Vilhelm Lauritzen (1894-1984) is one of the most important architects in Danish history and the iconic figure of Danish functionalism. We owe him the Nørrebro Theatre, the Daells Varehus department store, the first Kastrup Airport, and the Danish Embassy in Washington. Two of his works–the Radiohuset and the first version of Kastrup Airport–are now listed buildings and rank among the milestones of European architectural modernism. By the same architect, also discover the VL Ring Crown, another of his lighting creations reissued by Louis Poulsen.
A pendant lamp born from the Broadcasting House
In the late 1930s, Lauritzen designed the Radiohuset, headquarters of the Danish broadcasting service, which was inaugurated just after the Second World War, in 1945–a vintage that gave the lamp its name. As was often the case with Danish architects of that era, he did not stop at the building's shell: in collaboration with Louis Poulsen, he designed all the lighting fixtures for the Radiohuset, including this pendant lamp with a mouth-blown glass shade. The VL 45 Radiohus is therefore a fragment of architecture, conceived for a specific place before becoming an iconic production.
Soft light, a timeless silhouette
True to the functionalist spirit, the VL 45 prioritizes visual comfort: its glass shade diffuses an enveloping, glare-free light, set on a mount with clean lines. It is a discreet pendant lamp that finds its place just as well above a dining table as it does in an entryway or office.
In the shop
We offer the VL 45 Radiohus pendant in its classic version, as well as a pale pink VL 45 Radiohus edition, which is more contemporary, for those looking for a soft touch of color.
How to choose it?
Above a dining table, hang it at a good distance from the tabletop (around 60 cm) to keep the shade at eye level and preserve lighting comfort. The classic version pairs well with wooden interiors and neutral tones; the pale pink adds warmth to bright and minimalist settings.
Discover the VL 45 Radiohus and the entire Louis Poulsen catalog on our shop.