Here is a bright idea from Washington based company Rotoluxe. They combined tables and planters with CFL/LED lighting, creating a double function that is not only attractive, by also eco-conscious. All luminous pieces are made from 100% recycled plastic, which makes them environmentally friendly. The manufacturing process is highly sustainable too – left over shavings and cut-away pieces go right back into the shredder to make fresh new parts. So, instead of cluttering a landfill, used plastic bottles and production scraps can illuminate and enhance the space around us. And that is a beautiful thing…
This minimalistic piece by Finnish designer Timo Niskanen was shown at the DMY Berlin festival this week. Called Change for more reasons than one, this coin deposit lamp encourages people to turn the light off after leaving the desk. Envisioned as a sustainable lighting solution for public places (libraries etc.), Change can definitely find its place in a private home as a symbolic reminder of our ecological footprint (and our electric bill). This clever and thoughtful design comes from Niskanen’s interest in human behavior and specifically, how it can take acount in design process. Here is how the designer explains his creative vision: ‘We are surrounded with complicated and unnecessary things. I think a good product feels natural – it only bears the essential. A good designer creates an experience out of something simple and functional. An experience that is meaningful.’
A dishwasher is usually a ‘one trick pony’ kind of object, it rarely performs any functions other than doing your dishes (based on my personal experience – you are fairly lucky if it does just that). But wouldn’t it be brilliant if it could add more to your home? Designer Kim Joomin thought so. That is why he created this incredible concept for Elecrolux. The item, called Dishwasher L, is a light fixture that doubles as an appliance. Positioned over the dining table, Dishwasher L will handle plates, glasses and flatware, quickly eliminating the immediate mess. In addition to its obvious space-saving properties, the piece recycles & purifies used water for the next wash. Because what kind of a futuristic object it would be if it wasn’t eco friendly?..
This children’s lamp made me smile. Created by Chinese designer Zhao Liping, it comes in floor and pendant versions. The floor one has a pull shaped as a rain drop. How cute is that! The lamp only exists as a concept. It is made from white matte PVC, other materials are being considered. Cannot wait to see this piece produced…
Half lamp, half bookshelf, all brilliant… Called Readme, the piece belongs to German designer Peter Böckel. The shape of this unusual object resembles a lampshade with some characteristics of a small chest. The elegant hybrid includes two storage levels, one inside the ‘shade’ and another one – on top. The business part of Readme is made of steel and supported by four maple legs; the light is coming through the translucent top surface. The piece will be presented at DMY Berlin this week.
Made from recycled felt, the Dino table lamp by Deger Cengiz is both cozy and flexible. It is multifunctional as well. The base of the lamp can be used as a holder for various office supplies, snacks, loose change or even plants. Dino‘s neck is bendable in any direction, energy efficient LED light is bright and long-lasting… The piece was displayed at the Wanted Design Show during New York Design Week.
Remember old wooden clothes pegs? The reason you do is that they have been around for a while, and people still use them. All thanks to a simple and functional mechanism. So, when Brooklyn based designer Steffi Min took this innocent peg shape and turned it into a lamp, it felt like one of those ‘why didn’t I think of it’ moments. The piece consists of a cord (which you can wind around a ceiling or a wall mount, bookshelf or any other object), a wooden base and a bulb itself. Rather than a traditional light socket with a twist in motion, the Peg lamp introduces a new relationship between the socket and user by clamping right on to the bulb. Innovative and graceful.
Since we are on the subject of modular lighting – consider this incredible design idea. The Guss lighting system by designer Santiago Sevillano has countless number of possible configurations. Its identical curvilinear segments can be rearranged into any light-related object of your choice. With Guss you can build pendants, wall lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, you name it!.. And the lamps are eco-friendly too, they consume 80% less energy than standard incandescent lights.
Source: Yanko Design
Branch Light is a clever modular light system that changes depending on your illumination needs. Designer Bruno Fosi created a branch-like structure you can add to (or subtract from) and transform your light fixture entirely. And the best part is that this transformation does not require any complicated assembly methods. The lightweight ceramic body of Branch Light is held together by neodymium magnets. So, no wirings, no threads and no holes are needed. Just a weightless, elegant object you can handle with ease.
Out of many design innovations shown during the Salone del Mobile 2011 in Milan, Synapse from LucePlan is my personal favorite! This modular room divider, that also produces ambient light, can be customized to fit any space. ‘The idea of Synapse came from the awareness of a significant change in the way people live today, – says the creator of the product, designer Francisco Gomez Paz, – Homes have become smaller and narrower, and people have decided to pull the walls down to create wider spaces. So, there is a well defined need for the lighter elements that would handle this new way of living.’ The Synapse divider is based on intelligent modules that can produce light, reflect the light, produced by other modules, and also transport electricity when connected to each other. Ingenious! The piece has another hidden function, that was discovered after it was made, – it reflects natural light from your window and turns it into an ambient one. Perfect for cramped spaces with not enough sunlight…
