The story of Norm 69 is a true adventure. It is the story of a chance meeting that culminated in a happy success story. In 1969 Simon Karkov designed his visionary, futuristic lamp, which consists of 69 parts. But for many years the lamp was left lying in a loft, where it remained undiscovered. Then in 2001 an acquaintance of Simon Karkov saw the prospect of a fruitful collaboration between the team behind the start-up company Normann Copenhagen and Simon Karkov. Only then was this now classic design retrieved from the loft.

When putting together your own lamp, it is important that the material is flexible and can withstand being bent many times. Norm 69, as it is known today, has a long history of development behind it, with various materials and methods of production being tested, revised and re-tested. Simon Karkov explains: “I am constantly inspired by nature. Norm 69 is inspired by flowers and cones. Whenever I get an idea I draw a sketch which is then transformed into a model. The model is then adjusted over a period of time until the final prototype can be done. Norm 69 nicely follows the Danish design tradition for lamp shades with its shielding of the bulb and the soft light”.

The result is a strong, robust, flexible lamp that fully utilizes the light effect without causing glare. It can withstand excessive temperature swings and can be put together without tools or glue.

Awards: Formlandprisen 2002, Best Item at IMM Cologne 2003

Design: Simon Karkov