Modernism in Wuppertal
Simon Menges
A late-modernist house in the forest, carefully restored to its original openness and connection to light and nature.
The house, perched above a hillside in a secluded forest in Wuppertal, Germany, was completed in 1967 and has gradually recovered its reputation as a standout work of late-modernist European architecture. Roof beams that extend far beyond its facade, an open floorplan and floor-to-ceiling glass walls that gently merge its interior with its surroundings are among its characteristic features. The house has undergone several renovations in recent years to restore it to its original form. Transposed into the realm of light, this more or less parallels Wastberg+’s primary mission: trying to restore basic tenets of the philosophy of lighting that have been lost.
ILUMINA
TABLE
W203
Ilumina w203 is an update of the classic library lamp. There is no visible light source to distract the eye. Ilumina was created in cooperation with British designer Ilse Crawford.
CHIPPERFIELD
WALL
W102W
Chipperfield W102W, with its warm-white full-spectrum light, is an ideal choice for settings where correct perception of colour is essential. Chipperfield references the archetypal desk lamp, here in a variant adapted for home use. It provides warm white light that is evenly distributed, with no glare.
CHIPPERFIELD
TABLE
W102T
Perfect for bedside use. Chipperfield W102F, in solid brass or darkened steel, is well-suited to illuminating a specific area. Combined with Chipperfield W102T and Chipperfield W102P, it can also be part of a combined solution for a larger space. Chipperfield was created in cooperation with British architect David Chipperfield.
CHIPPERFIELD
FLOOR
W102F
ALTO
FLOOR
W164F
Alto W164F lends a sense of intimacy and atmosphere to the home. Plug-and-play functionality – easy to adapt to different settings, preferences, and needs. Alto was created in cooperation with German designer Dirk Winkel.
Simon Menges
LINIER
SUSPENDED
W181S1
Linier W181S1 has integrated dimming wheels at either end. Each can be independently adjusted to dial in the desired light level, enabling optimal adaptability to different areas of use. Linier was created in cooperation with German designer Dirk Winkel.
LAMPYRE
TABLE
W163T1
Lampyre W163T1 takes its name from the French word for glowworm. White, mouth-blown opal glass. Even at its brightest, it is a pleasure to look at. Dimmed, it is perhaps at its most beautiful. Glowing, phantasmal, suggestive. Lampyre was created in cooperation with French designer Inga Sempé.
Photographer:
Simon Menges
Architect:
Richard Neutra
