One of the most significant architects in Denmark’s history and a pioneer of Danish functionalism in Scandinavian, mid-century modern furniture, Vilhelm Lauritzen maintained a lifelong belief that design is an art for the people.
Born in the town of Slagelse in 1894, Lauritzen had an early interest in architecture and design. He graduated from the Sorø Akademi in 1912 and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1922. That year, Lauritzen founded the Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects studio.
Travel to Spain, Greece and throughout Central Europe influenced his architectural work. His first major project was in 1928, when he designed the Daell’s Department Store in Copenhagen. Subsequent notable design projects included the Nørrebro Theater in 1931, the Radiohuset building in 1936 and Copenhagen Airport’s first terminal in 1939, inspired by Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier.
Although architecture was among Lauritzen’s chief passions — he was also an avid lepidopterist — he was keenly interested in the furnishings of his projects, designing everything from chairs and settees to door handles and ashtrays. His influential creations include the iconic VL 38 “Radiohus” table and the VL 45 “Radiohus” pendant light — a powerful downward light that provides a gentle illumination through handblown, white opal glass. Both were designed for Danish furniture manufacturer Louis Poulsen in collaboration with Danish designer Finn Juhl. Vilhelm Lauritzen’s lamps and wall sconces, which have obliquely angled lamp heads, were likewise designed in partnership with Poulsen for the Radiohuset building in the 1930s.
Lauritzen remained active in his studio until 1969, overseeing numerous architecture projects in the 1950s, such as the Shellhuset building, Folkets Hus — known today as the VEGA concert hall — and the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC.
Lauritzen died in 1984. His legacy lives on with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects still operating in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, and his elegant lamps remain in production by Louis Poulsen.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Vilhelm Lauritzen lighting, seating, tables and more.
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL38' Wall Sconce for Louis Poulsen
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL38' Wall Sconce for Louis Poulsen. Designed in 1930. New, current production. VL38 wall lamp is based on the original design of the VL38 table...
Metal, Brass
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL Ring Crown' Wall Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL Ring Crown' wall lamp for Louis Poulsen. Designed in the 1940s. New, current production. The VL Ring Crown family derives from a...
Brass
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'Vl Studio' Floor or Table Lamp in Brass for Louis Poulsen
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL Studio' floor or table lamp in brass for Louis Poulsen. Designed in the 1940s. New, current production. The VL Studio family derives from a lamp designed by ...
Brass
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'Vl38' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL38' Table Lamp for Louis Poulsen. Designed in 1930. New, current production. The VL38 table lamp was originally designed in the late 1930...
Metal, Brass
Arne Jacobsen AJ Oxford Table Lamp with Metal Shade for Louis Poulsen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Arne Jacobsen AJ Oxford table lamp 28mm 410mm in black and opaline for Louis Poulsen. Designed in 1963, current production. The AJ Oxford table lamp has a sleek graphic expression, which reflects the architecture of St Catherine's College, in Oxford, for which it was originally designed. St Catherine's College, inaugurated in 1963, was designed by Arne Jacobsen in a modernist architectural style, which stands in contrast with the surrounding classical architecture of Oxford University. The AJ Oxford Table Lamp was first designed as a table pin lamp for the impressive dining hall at the college, which housed long rows of oak tables, seating 350 people. The table lamps act as centrepieces on the tables, while natural light comes from clerestory windows and the wall-mounted AJ Eklipta provides diffused general lighting. The lamp is still found at St Catherine's College, which is still in use today, both for teaching and as a halls of residence for students. The AJ Oxford lamp...
Metal
Poul Henningsen PH5 Pendant in Brass for Louis Poulsen
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Tilburg, NL
Poul Henningsen PH5 Pendant for Louis Poulsen. Denmark. Designed in 1958. New, current production. Poul Henningsen developed the PH 5 in 1958 in response to constant changes made ...
Metal, Brass
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL Studio' Brass and Glass Wall Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL Studio' Brass and Glass Wall Lamp for Louis Poulsen This innovative lamp is based on Lauritzen's original studio wall lamp for Radiohuset, the headquarters of ...
Brass
Louis Poulsen Studio VL Wall Light in Brass.
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen Studio VL wall light in brass VL Studio wall lamp in brass by Louis Poulsen The VL Studio family is derived from a lamp model designed by architect Vilhelm Lauritzen fo...
Brass
Louis Poulsen, Wall Lamp Crown 1 by Vilhelm Lauritzen
By Vilhelm Lauritzen, Louis Poulsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, wall lamp crown 1 by Vilhelm Lauritzen Measures: Width 190 x height 233 x length 275(mm), 1.7 kg Material: Shade: Mouth-blown, 3-layered, polished opal glass. Rear hou...
Metal
'Memoir 120' Brass Wall Lamp by GamFratesi for Lyfa
By GamFratesi Design Studio, Lyfa
Located in Paris, IDF
Memoir 120 Wall Lamp signed by GamFratesi for LYFA. DIMENSIONS W 16 x D 12 x H 17.8 cm COLOURS Black or brass 2,5 m black/white plastic cord with switch Socket: G9 Max wattage: 28...
Metal
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL Ring Crown 1' Wall Lamp for Louis Poulsen
By Louis Poulsen, Vilhelm Lauritzen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vilhelm Lauritzen 'VL Ring Crown 1' Wall Lamp for Louis Poulsen Originally designed in the 1930s by Vilhelm Lauritzen in partnership with Louis Poulsen...
Brass
Brass Wall Lamp from Boréns
By Boréns Borås
Located in New York, NY
Brass wall lamp in modell 6506 by Boréns, Sweden. Beautiful perforated shade with a wavy shape to the edge. Can be used as a small side light or mounted as a wall lamp. Patina to the...
Brass
