When Good Light Runs in the Family

Text by Atrium Magazin für Wohnkultur, Design und Architektur
Schlieren, Switzerland
18.07.14

Being different pays off – and Gertrud Kracht has been proving the truth of this maxim all her life. She and her son Kristian are the faces behind ANTA. And that means: lamps reduced to the maximum.

Agile: the head of the "FARO" uplight can be turned and tilted to point the light in any direction required.

Anybody who knows ANTA knows good light and Gertrud Kracht as well. The entrepreneuse, who originates from Lower Bavaria, founded the ANTA lamp label more than 40 years ago. Thanks to her philosophy of finding the most economical form possible for top-class design, she has established her brand all over the world: there are avid ANTA admirers in countries as far apart as Alaska and Africa. In Germany alone, almost 350 retailers present the 36 families of models in the collection to her dedicated fans. The senior executive is energetically assisted by her son Kristian who, even as a young schoolboy, was a frequent visitor at the Schenefeld-based firm. And later on, as an adolescent, he provided logistical support when his mother returned from her extensive business travels with a huge supply of marble.

Simplicity: the forms of "CUT" by Torsten Neeland are reduced to the absolute minimum. It is available as a standard or table lamp.

The perfect team: Gertrud Kracht (right), founder of ANTA, with her children Ann and Kristian Kracht.

ANTA is in his blood – it's as simple as that. So it's hardly surprising that Kristian Kracht sets to work with the same meticulousness and unconditional commitment as his mother. The differences between them are only a matter of nuance. When it comes to their favourite lamps, for instance. Because in fact, every single product is a favourite: anything that makes it into the ANTA collection has to convince them with compelling ideas, brilliant technology and agreeable light.

Delicate: "JOSE" by designer Jörg Zeidler uses the finest porcelain and LED light to conjure up the perfect lighting mood.

At the same time, ANTA's maxim sounds incredibly simple: "We make lamps. The most important thing is the light, which is generated by efficient technology. And this light ought to reinforce the impact of the architecture." The ultra-purist "TIESO TENDER" – a delightfully straightforward linear suspension lamp by design legend Rolf Heide – is a prime example. Like many of the ANTA designers, he is a close friend of the family and values the connoisseurship of the boss and her team. It goes without saying that every lamp made at the Schenefeld site is the product of finest traditional craftsmanship and meticulous care. Only the best materials are used, including top-quality metal, fine porcelain, premium leather and of course ingenious technology.

Masterly: "TIESO TENDER", which is also available in an extendable version, was created by grand master of design Rolf Heide.

Apropos technology: this is the area that Kristian Kracht has dedicated himself to. He invests remarkable precision and patience in the implementation of new technologies and refuses to be put off by stumbling blocks, no matter how big or small they might be. Only when the quality of the light is optimal, the illumination perfect and the power consumption acceptable is he – almost – satisfied. Because there's one more thing the Kracht team insists on: its lamps have to be genuine masterpieces during the day as well – when they're not emitting their pleasant light. "Ultimately, when it comes to furnishings, lamps are the most elemental necessity of all," says Gertrud Kracht. The "JOSE" suspension lamp, "CUT" table lamp and "FARO" uplight certainly live up to this benchmark. And fans are always keen to see what new gems the design forge on the outskirts of Hamburg will come up with next.

Well-read: thanks to the flexibility of its articulated joints, the "ZAC" table lamp is ideal for libraries.