Hans Bergström

Hans Bergström (1910–1996) was a Swedish designer and architect best known for his groundbreaking work in lighting design and for founding Ateljé Lyktan, one of Sweden’s most influential lighting manufacturers. His refined, modernist approach and technical innovations helped define the aesthetics of mid-century Scandinavian lighting, blending functionalism with elegance and craftsmanship.

Bergström was born in Karlshamn, Sweden, and studied at the School of Art and Design in Stockholm (Konstfack). He began his career as an interior architect, working on residential and commercial interiors, before turning his focus to lighting. In 1934, he founded Ateljé Lyktan in Helsingborg, later relocating the company to Åhus in southern Sweden. Initially a small artisanal workshop, the firm under Bergström’s direction grew into a nationally respected brand, known for its modern lighting for both public and private environments.

Throughout the 1930s to 1950s, Bergström designed a wide variety of table lamps, wall sconces, floor lamps, and ceiling fixtures. His designs typically combined natural materials such as brass, wood, and parchment or fabric shades with clean geometric lines and an intuitive sense of proportion. His approach was distinctly Swedish—functional and understated but also warm and intimate.

Bergström’s lamps were often handcrafted in small series, and many are now prized by collectors for their artisanal detail and rarity. His works are known for combining simple, modernist structures with soft light diffusion, frequently incorporating pleated or perforated shades to create warm, atmospheric lighting.

Notable design elements and contributions include:

• Conical and cylindrical fabric shades that diffused light softly, often mounted on brass arms or minimal metal frames
• Early use of adjustable mechanisms and articulated arms, adding flexibility to table and wall-mounted lighting
• Integration of lighting into architectural and interior planning, a concept that foreshadowed later trends in integrated design

Bergström played an important role in Swedish design exhibitions, including participation in the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930, which laid the groundwork for functionalism in Sweden. He also contributed to national showcases such as Hemutställningar (Home Exhibitions) and exhibitions organized by Svensk Form (The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design). Ateljé Lyktan regularly exhibited at international design fairs during the 1950s and 60s, helping promote Swedish design abroad.

In the 1950s, Bergström brought in Anders Pehrson, who would take over as the company’s artistic director in 1964. This ensured continuity and evolution in the company's design ethos, but Bergström’s early legacy of craftsmanship and modernity continued to influence its direction for decades.

Though Bergström did not receive many high-profile international awards during his lifetime, his influence within Sweden was substantial. He was respected not only as a designer but also as a pioneer in industrial lighting production that balanced artistry with scalability.

Hans Bergström retired in the 1960s, but his work continues to be collected and re-evaluated for its historical and artistic significance. Many of his original designs are now rare and highly valued on the vintage market, especially those produced in the pre-war and immediate post-war years under the Ateljé Lyktan label. Today, his work is preserved in Swedish museum collections such as Designarkivet (The Swedish Design Archive) and continues to be featured in exhibitions on Scandinavian lighting history.