Raak

The Dutch lighting company Raak was founded in 1954 by Carel O. Lockhorn (18 June 1923 – 6 October 2004), who had previously worked for Philips Lighting in Eindhoven. The Dutch word raak can be understood as “on target” or “to hit the mark”, a fitting name for a company that became known for its progressive and carefully considered lighting designs.

Raak is best known for its distinctive Dutch modern lighting of the 1960s and 1970s. Many of their best designs combine glass and metal in a way that feels both elegant and futuristic. Their lighting often has a strong architectural presence, while still retaining a warm and decorative quality. Because of this, Raak became one of the most recognizable names in post-war European lighting.

Over the years, Raak collaborated with a remarkable range of Dutch and international designers and architects, among them Bertrand Balas, Evert Jelle Jelles, Frank Ligtelijn, Ger Vos, Jan Jasper Fayer, Li Helo, Maija-Liisa Komulainen, Nan Platvoet, Nanny Still-McKinney, Nico Kooi, Sergio Asti, Tapio Wirkkala, Willem van Oyen, Rico Baltussen, Kees Terlouw, Yki Nummi, Tobia Scarpa, Berend Bodenkamp, Arihiro Miyake and others.

Collaborations

Raak also worked together with several other lighting and glass companies. For the well-known Globe series, the glass was produced by the German company Peill+Putzler. Raak also sold lamps made by Peill+Putzler, including models designed by Aloys Ferdinand Gangkofner. For the Discus flush mount, the glass was made by the German company Bega. In the late 1950s, Raak also cooperated with the Belgian glass manufacturer Val Saint Lambert for the Stalactites flush mounts. In addition, Raak marketed several lamps produced by Staff Leuchten in Germany, as well as models connected to other European manufacturers.

Carel Lockhorn sold the company in 1974 to ITT, although he remained director until 1977. In 1980, Raak merged with BIS Lighting from Aalsmeer in The Netherlands and continued under the name BisRaak. In 1986, the company became independent again. By then, the collection had changed considerably: the more expressive and decorative character of the 1960s and 1970s gradually gave way to a more restrained, architectural look, often in black, white and grey.

In 1999, Raak merged with Artilite B.V. and Indoor B.V. and became CLA: Centrum voor Lichtarchitectuur B.V. in Drachten. The term Lichtarchitectuur had already been used by Raak as a slogan from the early years onward. CLA was founded by Egbert Keen. The company was declared bankrupt on 19 May 2011.

Raak received 26 iF Design Awards. As the company only began entering the competition in 1980, that number might otherwise have been even higher.

BEGA

The German lighting company BEGA was founded on 20 September 1945 by Heinrich Gantenbrink, shortly after the end of the Second World War. The company began as a small workshop with just five employees, but it soon grew into one of the best-known names in German architectural lighting.

From the very beginning, BEGA focused on high-quality and durable luminaires. In 1952, the company received the “Medaille d’Or” at the international exhibition in Luxembourg. In 1958, BEGA and its partners built the new Leuchtenhochhaus at the industrial trade fair in Hannover, an important step that later led to the so-called “World Light Show”.

During the 1960s and 1970s, BEGA became one of the leading specialists in architectural lighting, especially for outdoor use. The company is particularly known for its clean, functional and unmistakably German designs, often combining technical quality with a restrained and timeless appearance.

In February 1973, BEGA acquired the Belgian glass factory BOOM. Today, both BOOM and Glashütte Limburg are presented under the umbrella brand BEGA, while their own collections remain intact.

The company still exists today and remains an important name in high-quality architectural lighting. Many older BEGA lamps have become true design classics, appreciated for their sober elegance and lasting quality.