10 Verner Panton Designs That Will Transport You Back to the '60s
When you think of Verner Panton, what initially comes to mind?
It’s most likely the iconic Panton Chair, that made history as the first single-formed injection-molded plastic seat. However, there’s so much more that he brought to the world, and everything he did was bursting with character and represented the changing times.
A photo of Verner Panton from 1993.
Panton Design, Basel
When the psychedelic, Pop Art mentality was gaining speed in the 1960s, the Danish-born architect and designer became one of the leading influencers. While always pushing the boundaries of technology and utilizing new materials, he experimented with geometric forms and bold colors to create unique furnishings. Most notably, he crafted futuristic interior landscapes that were wild and imaginative, which included designing the walls and textiles, to the lighting and furnishings—all of which supported an easy-going, free lifestyle.
One of Panton's creations is shown here with a close-up of the wall elements produced by Harlacher for Visiona 2 at the 1970 IMM Köln Möbelmesse / Cologne Furniture Fair.
Panton Design, Basel
Below, we’ve gathered ten of our favorite Verner Panton pieces. Learn about their backstories and find out where you can purchase them today.
Verpan VP Globe Pendant Light
Verpan's VP Globe Pendant is as much a work of art as it is a light source. The design was originally created by Verner Panton in 1969 out of a transparent acrylic. The interior of the light includes five hand-polished reflectors that are comprised of hollowed-out aluminum with lacquered finishes. The combination of the acrylic sphere and lacquered reflectors makes the interior sculpture appear to float in space. When illuminated, the light plays off of the reflectors, creating a truly distinctive source of illumination. An undeniable statement maker, the VP Globe Pendant is topped with a chrome ceiling canopy and a black fabric cord. Photo courtesy of Connox
ShopLouis Poulsen Panthella Floor Lamp
Verner Panton made an enduring name for himself, thanks to his unique sense of color, shape, and space. When he designed the Panthella Floor and Table lamps in 1971, he was looking to create a light where both the foot and the shade would act as light reflectors. With an organic shape that was typical for his style, the hemispherical shade reflects light downwards while the material allows most of the illumination to be spread out evenly. In order to make this happen, he built the curved shade out of injection molded white opal acrylic, while the base is made of white injection molded ABS. Though the lamp was originally produced in multiple bright colors, it’s available today through Louis Poulsen in white.
ShopVerpan Barboy Trolley
Verpan’s Barboy is a re-release of Verner Panton’s versatile bar trolley and mobile storage unit from 1963. Made of moulded wood, Barboy consists of four cylindrical elements, two of which swing out to the sides. When in bar use, you can place glasses and snacks on the top levels, and fill the lowest element with bottles and carafes. Besides serving, Barboy also makes an excellent nightstand, side table or a convenient storage trolley in the hallway, bathroom or office. Thanks to the chrome-plated castors, Barboy is easy to move from room to another. Photo Courtesy of Finnish Design Shop
Shop&Tradition Topan Pendant Light
The shapely Topan Pendant Light by &Tradition was the very first lamp by Verner Panton that went into mass production, and its simplicity and coolness prove to be a lasting value. Originally designed for the hotel/restaurant Astoria in Trondheim, Norway where Panton also used his textile designs Geometry I to IV for the floors, walls and ceilings. Perfectly suited for residential spaces, or grouped in multiples for larger public spaces, the Topan Pendant Light provides direct and ambient illumination. With an aluminum shade with a lacquered finish, it is available in a variety of colors with a coordinating Black, White or Red fabric cord. Black, Blue, and Dark Green variants come with black fabric cord as well to provide endless interior decor designs. Craft meets art. Function meets form. The material is respected and the potential is revealed. This is Nordic tradition and this is the heritage that is cherished and kept. &Tradition aims to bridge the values of solid handcraft to contemporary design. &Tradition's collection covers iconic designs and undiscovered gems from the masters of yesterday, and also features new works from leading designers of today and the talent of tomorrow.
ShopVerner Panton Living Tower
Verner Panton’s Living Tower impresses: By its safe size, its revolutionary room concept, its vivid colors, and its extreme modernity. Already designed in 1969, Vitra re-vitalizes the futuristic classic piece. Verner Panton concentrated on newish room concepts in the end of the 1960s. The optimism spirit of the “Space Age” brought up organic futuristic shapes, which weren’t part of conventional living anymore. Panton’s Living Tower is one of the most consequent examples for the search after new things; The Danish wanted to use the three dimensions of a room and also planned vertically. This is how Panton designed some room installations including his Living Tower. The experiments era is understood when one gets closer to the Living Tower (also known as Pantower): It is possible to sit, lie, relax and sleep on four different levels. The gaps enable different comfortable positions. The Living Tower is exceptionally communicative because of the creative aura and the fact that the piece of furniture is used by more than one person at the same time. Vitra manufactures the unusual piece of furniture with a stable frame of birch wood, cushions of polyurethane foam and a sophisticated coating out of the Kvadrat Tonus fabric so that there is no doubt for its comfort. The press already was exceptionally clever then, when it was about the seat sculpture: ascriptions such as “furnished wall”, “seat tower” or “living room honeycomb” prove how creative one can be with this piece of furniture. This hasn’t changed, the Living Tower didn’t age at all by its soft andf clear shape. Verner Panton’s home sculpture still embodies the future and it thereby represents the experimental 60s. Photo Courtesy of Connox
ShopVerpan Pantop Pendant
The Pantop Pendant Light from Verpan is a bold ceiling light that provides warm, direct lighting, and is best utilized in a dining room or over a counter in an open kitchen. Defined by its distinctive bell shape, the Pantop provides a refreshing take on the limits of overhead lighting. The widely flared shade is mounted with the aperture facing down, and is suspended from a fabric cord. Originally designed in 1964 by Verner Panton, the Pantop Pendant can be used as a single ceiling light, or arranged with other Pantops to create a striking visual statement. The top of the shade features Verner Panton's signature, giving the pendant lamp a special touch. Photo Courtesy of Lightology
ShopVerpan Moon 34 Pendant Light
Designed by Verner Panton in 1960 and today manufactured by Verpan, Moon pendant is a stunning example of Danish lighting design of the 1960s. Inspired by the phases of the Moon, the pendant light consists of nested steel lamellae that open like a fan, reflecting soft and white light. By adjusting the steel rings into different positions, you can play with the phases of the Moon. The distinctive luminaire catches the eye for instance above the dining table or in the living room. Photo Courtesy of Finnish Design Shop
ShopWhat's your favorite design by Panton? Let us know and why in the comments!
Cover photo courtesy of Panton Design, Basel.
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