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Panthella table lamp by Louis Poulsen
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Panton Chair by Vitra
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Verner Panton's furniture by Verpan
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Flowerpot lamp by &tradition
Today, February 13, 2026, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Verner Panton, one of the most visionary and radical figures in 20th-century design. A Danish architect and designer, Panton transformed objects and interiors into true sensory experiences, where color, light, and form became tools to redefine the way we inhabit domestic space.
A student of Arne Jacobsen, Panton soon distanced himself from the stricter functionalism of Scandinavian tradition. He chose a personal path: immersive environments, fluid surfaces, saturated colors, and innovative materials. His research went beyond the individual product, aiming instead to create “total environments” — installations in which seating, lighting, walls, and floors interact as elements of a unified design direction.
The undisputed symbol of this revolution is the Panton Chair, conceived in the late 1950s and industrialized by Vitra in 1967. The first single-piece molded plastic cantilever chair, curved and sinuous, the Panton Chair made a radical idea credible at the time: that plastic could become a noble, durable material worthy of entering the history of design.
It is not merely a chair, but a manifesto — structural lightness, ergonomics, industrial production, and a bold use of color capable of transforming a functional object into a timeless pop icon.
Panton’s vision also found full expression in experimental installations such as Visiona II — futuristic environments designed in the late 1960s where textiles, upholstered modules, and lighting created immersive, psychedelic interior landscapes.
Alongside these installations, his lamps have become enduring classics: the Flowerpot, with its overlapping hemispheres and vibrant colors; the Panthella, designed with Louis Poulsen; and the evocative Shell Lamp. In each of these creations, light is not merely functional, but a sculptural element that shapes space and influences atmosphere.
“The main purpose of my work is to induce people to use their imagination.” This statement encapsulates Panton’s approach: creating environments capable of influencing mood, stimulating creativity, and enhancing everyday experience. Design thus becomes a tool for emotional well-being, not simply an aesthetic exercise.
In an era when interior design is increasingly discussed as an experience and the home as an expression of identity, Panton’s lesson appears remarkably relevant. Color and form are not decoration — they are the structure of space.
One hundred years after his birth, Verner Panton’s legacy is more alive than ever. Re-editions, international exhibitions, and new interpretations confirm the enduring relevance of his chromatic and sensory language. His seating and lighting designs continue to play leading roles in residential and contract projects, thanks to their ability to combine iconic aesthetics, technological innovation, and strong emotional impact.
For those wishing to introduce a piece of design history into their home or to enhance an interior project with a recognizable icon, Panton’s creations represent a bold and distinctive choice.
On Classicdesign.it, a curated selection of seating, lamps, and accessories inspired by his visionary spirit is available — objects that do more than furnish a space; they tell a story of design capable of surprising us, even today.