inga sempé sheds new light on the clamp lamp for wästberg

inga sempé sheds new light on the clamp lamp for wästberg

inga sempé sheds new light on the clamp lamp with her ‘sempé w153’ for wästberg. presented at the 2015 stockholm furniture fair, the design brings focus to the classic typology of the clamp lamp that while being very functional, always seems indisposed when not braced to a horizontal or vertical surface.

the mode in which inga sempé’s clamp lamp braces a table top

sempé’s scheme offers a multi-purpose lighting object, that while serving its intended function as a clamp lamp, can easily be placed on a table, or mounted on a wall without appearing out of place. each ‘sempé w153’ is outfitted with an energy-efficient, high quality LED, and an adjustable shade that is held in place through a magnet construction — enabling one to smoothly move the diffusing cover with ease.

the light can just as easily be mounted to a wall

‘just as with folding chairs compared to normal ones, clamp lamps don’t have the same status as table lamps. it seems unfair, as clamp lamps are very useful. maybe it is linked to their unique use and the fact that when not clamped they look like infirms, unable to stand on their own without losing their balance or falling over.

I was always impressed by the clever clamp lamps of my childhood, used in all country houses as you could get them really cheaply in hardware stores. it’s very simple: a clamp attaches to the socket of an incandescent bulb and a cone shade sliding on the bulb to direct the light. a masterpiece. so, to bring back the happy and light typology of the clamp lamp, the aim for sempé w153 was to allow for more uses for a basic clamp lamp, making it a multi-purpose lamp. there is a flat base, allowing it to stand on a flat surface. the lamp can also be mounted on the wall. and, last but obviously not least, there is a clamp to clamp the lamp wherever you need it.’ – inga sempé

the versatility of the lamp’s placement sees it sitting high on a table

the shade can be adjusted thanks to a magnet component which allows one to rotate it around the vertical axis easily

inga sempé at the presentation of her ‘sempé w153’ at the 2015 stockholm furniture fair
portrait © designboom

installation view of the clamp lamp mounted on a wall
image © designboom

image © designboom

detail of the metal component which offers one ease in adjusting the lamp shade
image © designboom

prototype models