Lightings: Louis Poulsen anti-glare luminaire

The sexy term Anti-glare Luminaire, refers to lighting that has bulb well-covered so that it will not glare our eyes when looking @ it. 

Louis Poulsen is a 70+ year old Danish company that had made a couple of famous lamps. We see this all over the magazines & films. 

The collaboration of this company and Poul Henningsen started way back in 1924.

In this post, we'll talk a bit more on Poul Henningsen & 2 of this iconic lamps.

 

Poul Henningsen

Poul Henningsen was born in Copenhagen to the famous Danish actress Agnes Henningsen. He never graduated as an architect, but studied at The Technical School at Frederiksberg, Denmark from 1911-14, and then at Technical College in Copenhagen from 1914-17.

He started practicing traditional functionalistic architecture, but over the years his professional interests changed to focus mainly on lighting which is what he is most famous for. He also expanded his field of occupation into areas of writing, becoming a journalist and an author. For a short period at the beginning of WWII, he was the head architect of the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. But like many other creative people, he was forced to flee Denmark during the German occupation but soon became a vital part of the Danish colony of artists living in Sweden.

His lifelong collaboration with Louis Poulsen Lighting began in 1925 and lasted until his death. To this day, Louis Poulsen Lighting still benefits from his genius. Poul Henningsen was also the first editor of the company magazine “NYT”. The CEO of Louis Poulsen at the time, Sophus Kaastrup-Olsen, gave the magazine to PH as a gift because he had been terminated from the Danish newspaper he worked for (his opinions were too radical).

Poul Henningsen's pioneering work concerning the relations between light structures, shadows, glare, and color reproduction—compared to man’s need for light remains the fondation of the lighting theories still practiced by Louis Poulsen Lighting. 

Click image to enlarge

The Artichoke

It blew us away when we saw this multiple Artichoke classic masterpieces on the ceiling of Crown Casino Melbourne. Sorry for the poor lighting taken as we took this from then external of the lobby. In the picture, there are countless pieces. Made up of 3 sizes, the mirrors on the walls further doubles the quantity & makes it impossible to count. This suspended installation stole the limelight of this lobby and people are staring up the ceiling in awe. This had totally convince ourselves that we are definitely getting this lamp either for our dining or our living. This multiplying effect also inspire us to place mirrors behind this lamps to further dramatize the structure of the lamp.

Key features [taken from Louis Poulsen]
- 72 “leaves” placed on 12 steel arches - Light source not visible from any angle - glare free  

Concept
PH Artichoke is a glare-free luminair

e consisting of 72 leaves, which shield the light source, redirect and reflect the light onto the underlying leaves, resulting in distinct, unique lighting.

Finish
Copper or stainless steel, brushed and coated. White, wet painted.

Story behind the product
The PH Artichoke is considered to be a classical masterpiece made by Poul Henningsen more than 40 years ago. The structure is made of twelve steel arches. On this structure PH placed 72 copper “leaves” in twelve circular rows with six blades in each row. Because each row is staggered from the previous, all 72 leaves are able to “cover for each other”. This design allows viewing the fixture from any angle without being able to see the light source located in the center of the PH Artichoke. The original PH Artichokes were developed for a restaurant in Copenhagen called the Langelinie Pavilion, and they are still hanging there today. 

The Snowball

This super retro era lamp is a total must have for all of you hippies. The round structure really reminds me of Verner Panton and Austin Powers movie, totally groovy. I fell in love with this while browsing their catalog. Like Artichoke, the shade of each layers were strategically space to shade the bulb so that its anti-glare. while each plate will then bounce light off each other generally pointing the light downwards.

Key features  
- 8 shades mounted on 3 legs - Top of shades is glossy - creating sparkling light - Underside are matte - avoiding reflections - Glare free and even illumination

Concept
PH Snowball is a glare-free luminaire. The geometry of the PH Snowball ensures that all the illuminated surfaces of the shades are hit by light rays at the same angle, creating optimum, even lighting performance.

Finish
White, wet painted.

Story behind the product
The PH Snowball is considered a smaller version of the PH Louvre made for the Adventist Church in Skodsborg, Denmark. But unlike the PH Louvre, the number of shades is reduced to just eight mounted on three legs - and the diameter of the fixture is also reduced due to the fact that it was intended for lower ceiling spaces. This fixture was first launched together with the PH 5 and the PH Artichoke but it did not get the same attention as the other two pendants. However, as a result of the PH Snowball being re-drawn and re-introduced in 1983 this fixture has come alive again. Today it is made with white shades glossed on the top and matted on the underside. The top of the shades are glossy in order to create sparkling light. The undersides of the shades are matte to avoid reflections of the light source.

Both lamps are installed! Click here to view

For all of you design junkies, Louis Poulsen has a free iPhone App for this lighting on the link below.

Louis Poulsen App 

Screen shots

Philips Carnival Sale 30-31 Oct 2010

Wow!its time of the year where there is warehouse sale 1 after another!
If i knew this is coming i would have waited a bit more for my lightings & appliances.

Details from another blog

Philips Carnival Sale 2010

Electronics and home appliances – up to 80% off!

The much anticipated Philips Carnival Sale 2010 comes around again on 30 – 31 October 2010. Expect big discounts on a large range on TVs, home theatre system, small appliances and electronics. Keep an eye out for the hourly specials, with limited deals of up to 80% off! You can also get 0% interest-free installments on your purchase with selected credit cards. Hate the queues? Get yourself into the priority payment queue by registering as a Family Rewards member.

Event Details:
Date: 30 – 31 October 2010
Time: 9am – 6pm
Venue: 620A Lorong 1 Toa Payoh

Krups Moulinex Rowenta Supor & Tefal Warehouse Sale 22-24 Oct 2010

Krups, Moulinex, Rowenta, Supor, & Tefal Warehouse Sale

From Friday, 22nd Oct 2010 - Sunday, 24th Oct 2010

Save up to 80% on electrical appliances and cookware items at the Warehouse Sale featuring Krups, Moulinex, Rowenta, Supor, & Tefal from 10am-7pm.

* All electrical appliances are display units with 3 months warranty.

* Goods sold are strictly not refundable, exchangeable or returnable.

* While stocks last.

Venue: 59 Jalan Pemimpin, L&Y Building Singapore

Payment by cash and NETS.

Taps or Mixer: Hansgrohe

Our contractor had made great emphasis on quality & had recommended us to used Hansgrohe products. At first we reckon their products to be really very expensive, however, they do carry a couple that are, well, very affordable. 

As a Phillipe Starck collector, i first heard about Hansgrohe thru Starck many years back as he had collaborated some designs with them. Truly, those Starck taps or mixers are in the range of $600+.

 

However, this models are under the AXOR series which are the premium range. [Like the LEXUS of TOYOTA] If you are reading this before 31/12/10, there is a promotion on Axor series which is is pretty great deal! Click to read about the promo!

We first started browsing at SIN SIANG CHOON for basins & mixers. Those we pick from their house brands, made in China & Thailand are easily over $120.00. Hansgrohe actually have taps that are only $170.00. We got recommended by a friend which fetch us another 25% discount, making it even more worthwhile.      The models we selected are:

For Master & Common bath's basin 

 Focus E² Single Lever Basin Mixer without waste set DN15

• ceramic cartridge
• Boltic lever lock
• adjustable temperature restriction
• flow limiter 7l/min.
• QuickClean aerator
• without pull rod
• suitable for continuous flow water heaters
• P-IX 18982/IA, DVGW NW-6506BU0221

For Kitchen basin

Focus E² Kitchen Faucet

• Single-control operation, solid brass
• M2 ceramic cartridge
• Spout swivels 360-degrees
• Flow rate 2.2. GPM

Dynamic silhouette, ergonomic handle, flattering curves – the design of the new Focus E² mixers clearly reflects the "elegance" philosophy. Exuding simplicity and exceptional quality, the Crometta 85 Vario/Unica‘Crometta set is a perfect match for the Focus E² bath and shower mixers.

Cheap laundry service that comes too late.

Today I got a email from a Laundry service company. The prices stated is way lower than what i had paid, damn it. Why don't this guys send this much earlier. 

Anyway, the previous owner had made a new relatively new curtains which we kept it.

However, prior to the reno we had taken them down & send them to clean.

Haiz...2 months back, I had send my curtains to this shop near my place & they charge me the following:

1. Satin fabric for Laundry - 11kg x $6 = $66

2. Dry-clean for Curtain - 14kg x $9 = $126

Total - $192, Less 10% = $172.80 + $10 membership fees

some more i had to struggle 25kgs of the curtains to the laundry shop. haiz...

If i were to use this fellas, their prices could have been much cheaper.

1. Satin fabric for Laundry - 11kg x $4.50 = $49.50

2. Dry-clean for Curtain - 14kg x $6.00 = $84

Total - $133.50 Less 20% = $106.80 + $10 membership fees

Free collection + delivery some more.. Heart pain.

Probably this guys does not have shopfronts so they have lower cost of operation. haiz, next time..

Wardrobes

Our carpenter is installing the cabinet fast & furious. It only took them 1 day to move them in and another 1 day to install all kitchen, wardrobes & toilet cabinets below the sink.

The reason we select this carpenter is because the are using eco-friendly adhesives. The brand is "EVERGREEN" or something. Will update this when I go double confirm with the Carpenter. I had seen EVERGREEN from the BEXasia Exhibition @ Suntec 1yr ago and the product is quite impressive. Its commercial grade adhesives does not emit much smell & also does not contain compounds that makes people high. They also got a Singapore Green Label.

So far i had only know 2 cabinet makers in that uses EVERGREEN which are Miracle & Exquisite Art.

Most cabinets were done in high gloss laminate, so that it can reflect as much light as possible while looking a bit more classy.

Especially in the Dresser which is very dark cos it only have 1 small window. Using this high gloss laminate did brighten up the room a fair bit.

Dresser is the smallest cabinets as it around 1.5m wide so we cant really doing sliding.
As this room will only accomondate 1 sofa bed for back up, we still manage to keep this room spacious even with the swing door.

 Dresser [door closed]

 Dresser [door open]

The guest room which require to fit in at least a queen bed, we realized that if we put in a bed with side table it will not have much space to swing open the wardrobe. Thus, we had made this Sliding to improve walking space. This is also the largest cabinets with tallest storage.

  Guest room [door closed]

   Guest room [door open]

Actually this is not really the final product for our master. Its was a mistake made by the carpenter cos we ordered white glass but his workers install mirror instead. We would love to have a kinky glass door. However, its bad for Chinese to sleep in-front or beside mirrors. They are going to re-fabricate the door and will be back next week. We choose white glass cos its 1 of the most frequent wardrobe we open & there will be alot of scratches if we have gloss laminates.

 Master

 

Kitchen cabinets

This week we saw our kitchen taking shape with the U shape cabinets.

Laminates used are high gloss white similar to the Wardrobes, while the bottom we are using matt but textured Zebrano. This is also using Eco-friendly glue from EVERGREEN.

Intention for the kitchen is to also maximize brightness cos previously it was really very very dark. this actually brightens up with the white glossy tile & white glossy cabinets.

We had selected the cooking hob & hood & had submitted the brochures for our carpenter to prep the holes.

Also, i had to last minute cash & carry a sink from Sin Siang Choon which our previous sink was FREAKING STOLEN. haiz... long story short, dun leave valuables around during renovation. That stolen sink would easily fetch the thief $100-$200 for selling as scrap. Cos stainless steel is very ex now.

Well, at the 11th hour when the carpenter needs the measurement to order the counter-top, i've to grab 1 off the shelves of Sin Siang Choon during my lunch break and sent it to my carpenter.

To my pleasant surprise, they have quite a decent selection of sinks. [even those really atas one from ALESSI RRP $1.2k].

However, out of those, i found this OLIVERI brand really impressive.
First of all, its Aussie-made.

2nd, its one of the deepest, around 200mm [excluding from those industrial one] Which i think depth is really important cos it reduces splashing on our clothes & can put in pots easily & avoid hitting the Kitchen mixer.

3rd, it squarish & minimal look.

Lastly, it has lots of addition FOC accessories that is really useful. A stainless steel utility tray to thaw the frozen, a solid timber chopping board and a colander to drain your vegetables.

when assembled, all 3 accessories will sit nicely on the 2 opening of the sink.

While browsing their web to find those images, i realized that they have a lot of useful info.

They have this kitchen working triangle design which is very ideal for people who is planing the kitchen layout.

The concept of the kitchen working triangle has been around for years. It's been around so long in fact, that a lot of people have forgotten all about it. Oliveri is bringing it back because the basic principles of the kitchen working triangle are still relevant and effective in creating a functional kitchen that is both beautiful to look at and a pleasure to prepare meals in.

Tips on the kitchen working triangle.

The kitchen working triangle is made up of the three main focal points of a kitchen – the sink, stove and fridge.

• The distance from the sink to the stove to the fridge and back again should be between 3.6 and 8.2 metres.
• Each side of the triangle should measure between 1.2 and 2.74 metres.
• The sink should be located between or across from the stove and fridge.
• Kitchen aisles should be at least 1.1 metres wide to allow people to move around and appliances and cupboard doors to be opened easily.
• Ideally, you should have a work surface either side of your sink and stove to allow adequate room for food preparation.
• For kitchen renovations, existing plumbing fixtures need to be taken into consideration for placement of the sink as to relocate plumbing could be costly.

And also talk about how to select a sink base on Quality, Measurement & etc..

How to select a sink 

It is said you will not appreciate a good sink until you have experienced a poorly designed and manufactured product that is a disappointment for your requirements. We introduce Sinkology: The knowledge to select the best sink to complement functionality and design requirements. The key factors to be considered in the sink selection process are:

Laminate Bench Tops	Solid Surface Bench Tops	Bench Top Width	Bench Top Space
Custom Made Accessories	Bowl Size	Sink Material	Waste Outlets
Cupboard Space	Country of Origin	Tapware

1. Laminate Bench Tops

The traditional high pressure laminated bench top requires an inset style sink. Installation of the sink is via a cut out of the bench top which is slightly smaller than the sink. The sink is inserted into the cut out and is secured by clips supplied with your Oliveri sink. Sealing tape fixed to the underside of the sink ensures that moisture from the bench top can not enter the cut out. It is recommended that the substrate board at the cut out be also be sealed. All Oliveri inset sinks have been designed so that the drain board is of such a depth that it can be installed over the dish washer whilst also being able to fit into a standard 600mm wide bench tops.

2. Solid Surface Bench Tops

Solid Surface work surfaces such as Granite, Composite material, Timber and such are increasingly using the undermount method of sink installation so as to have a clean line appearance. Oliveri has a vast range of sinks that have been designed for undermount installation. Some of these sinks are of extra capacity and require wider than normal bench tops.

3. Bench Top Width 

Most kitchen bench tops are 600mm wide which restricts the width of the sink. The majority of Oliveri sinks fit into this requirement however there is a demand for larger capacity sinks which require a wider bench top which are traditionally installed in wider island style bench tops. Oliveri caters for this requirement with the wider sinks being identified with this symbol.

4. Bench Top Space

There is always a demand for extra bench top space and as such in compact kitchens and solid surface undermount installations there is a trend to use bowl only sinks. Oliveri have a large range of bowl only sinks and to further extend bench space they have developed a range of Stainless Steel Utility Trays that fit snugly into the bowl. This tray is not only practical it is also user friendly in that the stainless steel is encapsulated with a safe plastic rim which also prevents it scratching the sink rim.

5. Custom made Accessories

Custom designed accessories convert the sink into a hygienic food preparation area. The Oliveri range of accessories includes Solid Timber Cutting Boards, dishwasher friendly Colanders, Crockery Baskets & Stainless Steel Utility Trays that can be accommodated in the accessory lip that is a design feature of Oliveri sinks.

6. Bowl Size

The deep drawing process that is used in the manufacture of Oliveri sinks ensures that the bowl capacity is maximised from the rim to the outlet. There is an Oliveri sink with bowl capacity to suit all requirements with most being able to accommodate the largest of kitchen pots, pans, woks and other items that do not fit into dishwashers.

7. Sink Material

Stainless steel has for many years been the first choice of sink manufacturers worldwide because it is hygienic, easy to keep clean & has an attractive metal finish that suits any decor. The smooth non–porous surface is resistant to deterioration from heat, stains & UV light. All Oliveri sinks are made from the highest quality 18/10 – 304 grade stainless steel. 18/10 means that Oliveri sinks are made from stainless steel containing 18% Chromium and 10% nickel. The chromium in stainless steel teams up with oxygen in the air to form a strong, highly protective chrome oxide film. It is this film that makes stainless steel resistant to corrosion and gives remarkable long life. The nickel is the substance that gives stainless steel strength and lustre. Most materials will scratch, including stainless steel. The best prevention is to exercise a little extra care, or even to use one of Oliveri's accessory baskets or bowl protectors. The finish will show wear, but over time the net effect of this ‘scratching’ becomes uniform and blends together.

8. Waste Outlets

Basket type waste outlets have been proven to be the most suitable and environment friendly for kitchen sinks as they are designed to capture any residue that may have collected in the sink. All Oliveri sinks are supplied standard with basket type waste outlets and in many instances they are located to the rear of the bowl so as to locate pipe work to the back and increase usable cupboard space.

9. Cupboard Space

The internal space of the sink base unit will be a major factor in what size sink is suitable for your requirements. Oliveri range strategy that each sub brand of styles are available in various sizes and bowl configurations so as to suit the various size base units used in kitchen design.

10. Country of Origin

Many sink manufacturers will proudly list their heritage in their promotional literature such as: Australian / German / Swiss / New Zealand however this does not mean their products are in part or all manufactured in these countries. If country of origin is a factor in sink selection ensure that you establish where the particular sink you are considering is made. Only Oliveri can lay claim to be Australia’s only commercial sink manufacturer. Part of the Oliveri product offering is sourced from overseas suppliers who manufacture to our designs and stringent quality standards, these items can be identified by the International Collection logo that is displayed on Oliveri literature and product packaging.

11. Tapware

Your choice of kitchen tapware needs to be aesthetically pleasing whilst hard working and reliable as it subjected to as much use as the sink. Oliveri tapware is sourced from World class tap manufacturers who have proven their reliability and are able to produce product that complies with Australia’s stringent standards. All Oliveri taps are manufactured from D R Brass (Dezincification Resistant) to Australian Standards AS/NZS 3718. Each tap has been tested, rated and registered to WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling & Standards Scheme) as is required. In selecting tapware Oliveri not only look for reliability, they also require product thats design compliments the Oliveri sink it is to fitted to, so that your kitchen design is consistent in style and looks.