kauppi & kauppi revives 1950s hydraulic press for glazed porcelain luminaire collection

Kauppi & Kauppi and Ifö Electric introduce solenne

By Kauppi & Kauppi, Solenne is a voluminous porcelain lighting collection born from a restored and revived hydraulic press from the early 1950s, nodding to historic connection boxes produced in the early 1900s. The series celebrates the heritage of Scandinavia’s only press porcelain producer, Ifö Electric, introducing seven luminaires with generous glass shades and glazed bases, including pendants, table lamps, and the brand’s inaugural floor lamp. With durable forms and artful surfaces, Solenne spotlights the inherent beauty of porcelain as a material, with its glazing, impervious to water and sunlight, radiating a warm light without sharp contrasts. Ideal for diverse settings, from homes to public spaces, indoors and outdoors, the fixtures can integrate into and connect various interiors and functions.

diffused lighting radiates from within the porcelain fixtures

Swedish design duo Kauppi & Kauppi builds on the success of the 2019 Ohm lighting collection in collaboration with Ifö Electric, which drew on insulators and connection boxes found in factories, for Solenne. The new collection retains the modularity and softly rounded silhouettes of its predecessors while expanding the scale and introducing fixtures for new and traditional placements.

The Solenne collection stands as Ifö Electric’s most extensive offering to date, featuring the largest fixtures ever manufactured by the company. To achieve the new larger press porcelain parts while accommodating for today’s energy efficient LED modules with advanced lighting protocols, the development team revived a hydraulic press dormant since the 1970s. Utilized for its strength, with a press capacity of up to 75 tons, the machine required a restoration process undertaken by a dedicated team of toolmakers, engineers, and production experts.

The unique press porcelain production technique offers precision details, enhanced durability, and insulation — qualities well-suited for electro-technical products. Kauppi & Kauppi’s process involves using small clay grains with 15% humidity, pressed in a single stroke to create the entire fixture base, threads, and mounting holes. The subsequent drying and high-temperature firing shrink the base while preserving precision. Additionally, the fixtures durability allows a long life span and suitability for reuse. Each piece has been constructed for easily disassembly, cleaning, repair, or upgrade, ensuring their adaptability to evolving lighting technology. 

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project info:

name: Solenne Porcelain Lights Collection
designer: Kauppi & Kauppi

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