Enigma by Louis Poulsen: lights & lamps

Louis Poulsen Enigma

Pendant light with a mysterious aura

A pendant light of the Louis Poulsen Enigma series unfolds an incomparable light composition. The works by Shoichi Uchiyama can be used wherever an elegant and representative design is desired.

The Louis Poulsen Enigma 825 is the largest member of this light family. This pendant light with its beautifully curved, virtually graceful forms clearly reveals the Japanese origin of the creator without neglecting the cool and elegant Scandinavian minimalism of the Danish manufacturer. Ultra-thin aluminium wires hold seven discs made from matt lacquered acrylic and thereby create the illusion of a light fixture floating in the air. The illuminant of the Enigma 825 is located in the cone above the discs and cannot be viewed from any angle – this ensures a glare-free ambient light in the living room, the bedroom, the dining room as well as in the hallway. The intelligent as well as elegant design of the shades allow for an atmospheric, uniform distribution of light within the room. Here, the matt upper side of the illuminated shades diffuses the light, while the glossy bottom side provides for appealing reflections.

The next smaller version, the Louis Poulsen Enigma 545 also exudes perfect harmony. The shades that become smaller with each line downward, in this version there are five of them, distribute the light of the “cone” directed from top to bottom in an equally unrivalled, almost enigmatic way as the two other lights. This definitely explains why the Enigma 545 pendant light received its name.

The most cost-effective model, the Louis Poulsen Enigma 425, still offers four charismatic shades that ensure a charming distribution of light within the room. It is particularly often used to provide zone lighting above the dining table and it not only supplies atmospheric brightness but also adds an unobtrusive touch of extravagance to the kitchen and the dining room.

Additional information on the designer: Shoichi Uchiyama studied at the YMCA Institute for Design in Tokyo and opened his own studio in 1977. The Japanese designer created the award-winning Enigma pendant lamp in collaboration with Louis Poulsen and thus received, for instance, the internationally coveted iF Award and the ARC Award. By means of the Enigma series, Uchiyama illustrates the idea of light oscillations that seem to be floating in the air. These pendant lights represent the functional and aesthetical Japanese light culture as well as the philosophy of Louis Poulsen that is characterised by glare-free and comfortable light. By the way: Shoichi Uchiyama also successfully tries his hand at turning insects at different stages of development into artfully arranged pieces of sushi.