HÅNDVÆRKERPENDLEN
The Håndværkerpendlen (The Craftspeople Pendant) is a bespoke chandelier designed specifically for the communal kitchens of Herning Håndværkskollegiet (The Crafts College), a residential community for young craftspeople and vocational students.

This design mirrors the broader ambition of the project: to provide resident apprentices - the people who will build our future homes - with thoughtful, durable and well-crafted design in their own living environment. The chandelier introduces warmth and atmosphere into the communal kitchens, embedding professional identity and connectedness to the craft.

Client: Fonden for Håndværkskollegier (FFHK)
Sponsor: BRF Fonden
Architect: Dorte Mandrup Architects
Electrical Installer: CC Contractor
Photography: fortheloveoflight
Year: 2025

DESIGN VISION

The residents of The Crafts College are apprentices, builders and makers at the beginning of their professional journey. The design draws inspiration from the utilitarian work lights commonly found on construction sites - a constant companion in the daily practice of craft. Reinterpreted in a permanent and architecturally integrated form, the fixture transforms a standard work lamp into a considered design element. It reflects the architecture of the college itself - robust, honest and purposeful - while playing with the notion of the work lamp not merely as a tool, but as a beautiful object.

MATERIALITY & CONSTRUCTION

The choice of materials and surface finish, in its high quality, speaks of the quality level and professionalism of the craftsmanship, while referring to the pragmatic and modular. The brass brings warmth and tactility, while the brushed aluminium introduces a lighter, industrial character. Together, the materials create a dialogue between the workshop and the home: familiar, durable and pragmatic, yet elevated through precise detailing and considered finishes. Visible screws, bolts and engraved brass elements reinforce the fixture’s constructive logic, making assembly part of its aesthetic expression.

LIGHTING CONTROLS

The lighting control is based on Casambi, chosen for its flexible, continuously developing wireless platform. The system can be remotely monitored and fine-tuned after commissioning, allowing lighting levels and scenes to evolve with the residents’ use of the house. Casambi also enables selected residents to program scenes for shared activities, making the lighting control both a flexible installation and a learning tool.