The direct, downward-facing light and a carefully placed light source ensure a soft and optimised light. Through small gaps inside the pendant, a discrete amount of light escapes and illuminates the top and bottom shade. The elegant indirect light makes the lamp a striking display in itself.
1948
Origin story
Back in 1948, the shades of the SUNDOWNER pendant were produced by hand under fairly primitive conditions by Jørn Utzon and his friend and colleague, Sven Middelboe. Post-war rationing meant that Utzon and Middelboe had to work effectively to ensure earnings – and production of own lighting designs became the start of their professional career. The name ‘SUNDOWNER’ brings warm climes to mind and when turned on, the last rays of sunlight can be seen in the horizontal middle part of the lamp. Shaped to provide a comfortable illumination and set the right atmosphere as the sun goes down.
Jørn Utzon had the unique ability to create shapes that catch and accentuate the light, which has made him one of Denmark’s most influential architects. His career has centered around spaces and how contrasts between light and shadows define the ambiance in a room. With his early lighting designs, he worked with clear principles which he carried with him into the architectural world. The iconic structures of the Sydney Opera House are an impressing sight that changes depending on the perspective of the viewer. Each of the opposite-facing shells create its own sculptural expression – resembling the four shades of the SUNDOWNER pendant. The work of Jørn Utzon is characterized by his architectural versatility, but light has been the essential element throughout his entire career.
