Lampe gras - DCWéditions

Lampe Gras – Materials, Construction, and Form

The Lampe Gras series is based on an industrial form where materials and construction are clearly visible. The fixtures consist of straight and angled steel parts with shades in simple geometric shapes. Joints and arms are designed to provide flexibility in the direction and placement of light.

The design was developed by Bernard-Albin Gras and is based on a construction without screws and welded joints. The form is reduced to fundamental parts where function, movement, and proportion dictate the appearance.

Steel is the dominant material in the series and is used in the base, arms, and mounts. The surfaces are often powder-coated in various colors, providing a smooth and durable finish. The color scheme varies between neutral tones and more pronounced hues depending on the model.

Shades are typically made of aluminum or copper. Aluminum shades are often lacquered, while copper can be either treated or untreated. Untreated copper changes over time, developing a darker, more varied surface through oxidation, which differs from lacquered materials that maintain a more constant color.

Versatile Applications and Variants

Lampe Gras is available in several versions, such as floor, table, wall, and ceiling lamps. The models are designed for different types of light, from directed illumination to more diffused.

Table lamps can be used for work or reading, while floor lamps cover larger areas. Wall lamps are mounted to free up space on other surfaces.

Several models are available with different arm lengths and shade sizes, which affect reach and light spread. Some variants are dimmable, allowing for adjustment of light intensity.

The Legacy of Bernard-Albin Gras and DCWéditions

DCWéditions is a French brand founded in 2008 by Philippe Cazer and Frédéric Winkler, focusing on resuming the production of Bernard-Albin Gras's fixtures from the 1920s. The assortment includes both Lampe Gras and models by other designers, such as In The Tube by Dominique Perrault and Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost, as well as Mantis by Bernard Schottlander. Production encompasses both reissues of older models and new series based on contemporary design.

Bernard-Albin Gras developed Lampe Gras in 1921 for industrial and office environments. The construction is based on adjustable parts without screws and welded joints, with a focus on function and movement. The lamp was used early on by architects like Le Corbusier and became widespread in both architecture and design. Today, the series is manufactured by DCWéditions and includes several models with the same fundamental construction.