Julius Theodor Kalmar, successor to Julius August Kalmar, studied under the renowned Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann. Inspired by his mentor and by the artistic movement of the time, known as the Vienna Secession, Julius steered the company in new directions, moving it away from the eclectic style of the late nineteenth century and toward avant-garde aesthetics that were highly appreciated by the public. In 1931, a fruitful collaboration began with the Austrian Werkbund, with the aim of promoting quality, material selection, and functionality within product craftsmanship. The results of this new approach, known as “moderate modernism,” soon associated the Kalmar name with an idea of modern, high-quality design, bringing the company an unprecedented level of recognition and international reach.

Riding the wave of its success, Kalmar became one of the leading manufacturers of high-end lighting of its time. Over the years, the company underwent further transformations, introducing new distinctive elements into its catalog collections — such as the celebrated Ice Glass, capable of diffusing a warm, cinematic light — alongside serial production. It was during this period that some of its most successful series were created, including the Tulipan, Ice Glass, and Atomic lines. Following an unprecedented expansion, the company returned to its roots in 2009 with the launch of the satellite brand Kalmar Werkstätten, specializing in contemporary re-editions of its great archival classics from the 1920s to the 1950s, while preserving a handcrafted approach and a commitment to excellence. Among its most iconic pieces is the Dornstab floor lamp, a manifesto of geometric minimalism, together with the lamps from the Fliegenbein and Billy series.