Vitra pendants: the Akari series

The Akari pendants were designed by the Japanese-American Isamu Noguchi for Vitra. They belong to a series of rice paper lamps in different sizes and colours, where the light paper gives a warm, soft light and a lightness to otherwise full shapes. Models such as 15A, 21A, 23A, 26A, 45A, 55A and 75A are named after their shape and size.

Sizes and shapes

The range runs from small lamps to large sculptural ones: Akari 120A, 75D, 55D, 70EN and 50EN fill more of the room, and Akari 33N, 45X, E and YP1 add other shapes. All are white. The pendants are suitable for the bedroom, the living room, the office and above the dining table.

Placing an Akari pendant

Hang one pendant above a dining table, or cluster several sizes together over a staircase or in a corner. The paper shade spreads light evenly, so it works as a main light in a small room. Combine pendants with floor lamps from the same family, such as Vitra floor lamps, and with other designs from Vitra. Each pendant is built around a simple frame covered in paper, so the shape is the decoration. The pendants keep the room feeling open and airy.