Arne Jacobsen designed the AJ Lamp in 1957. It’s one of the designs the world-famous modernist architect and designer is today best known for and was created as part of his overall design for Copenhagen’s first skyscraper – and the world’s first design hotel – the SAS Royal Hotel.

Jacobsen was an architect who, over the years, keenly ventured into a variety of other neighbouring fields that related to his work, including furniture, cutlery, fabrics and even wallpaper patterns. Always working with a strong sense of gesamtkunstwerk – a German word describing the concept of ‘total work of art’ – Jacobsen approached his projects in a holistic manner, designing not only the buildings but also details such as furniture, carpets – or even ashtrays.

With the SAS Royal Hotel as a prime expression of the concept of gesamtkunstwerk, Jacobsen designed both the building itself and almost all of its original furnishings and utility items – including the AJ Family. At the time, the selection comprised of the table, floor and wall lamps, and the AJ Lamp – alongside another member of the AJ Family, the pendant AJ Royal, constituted a part of the overall design concept for the hotel.

Illuminating the lobby, as well as the other parts of the building, the AJ Lamp in stainless steel and copper finishes became one of the timeless design staples of the hotel. Aligned with his minimalistic design approach and the geometric profile of Jacobsen’s buildings, the AJ Lamp’s sleek look came from its straight, clean lines and a striking combination of angles.

Today, celebrating the origin of the AJ Lamp, Louis Poulsen is bringing back the widely-recognised member of the AJ Family in Stainless Steel. All variants of AJ Lamp, from AJ Table, AJ Table Mini to AJ Floor and AJ Wall, are now available in the Stainless Steel look. Made with spun polished Stainless Steel, the lamps provide downward directed light with the adjustable angle of the shade to optimise light distribution. While the outer layer of the shade reflects its surroundings, the inside is painted white, ensuring soft and pleasant light.

With the quality of build – and illumination – as impeccable as in the days of its debut at the SAS Royal Hotel, the re-introduced finish couldn’t be more appropriate for modern interiors. Matching the clean lines of the design, the seamless and mirror-like appearance of Stainless Steel polish embodies Jacobsen’s minimalistic design approach and emphasises its distinctive shape.

Adding to a pre-existing colour library of 10 shades, the new special 2020 edition of AJ Lamp further expands the colour palette, introducing the contemporary selection of Original Grey, Pale Rose and Ultra Blue in addition to the timeless Stainless Steel.

With this shiny nod to Arne Jacobsen’s design legacy and timely celebration of the SAS Royal Hotel’s 60th anniversary, the AJ Lamp in Stainless Steel is part of a range of lighting fixtures that pay homage to their origin while bringing classic, clean lines to any contemporary interior.