Cupola and Skygarden – Pendants with a Meaning

PENDANT LUMINAIRES AS MASTERPIECES OF VIRTUOSITY

Recently, my attention was drawn to an inspirational article in the PLDC Newsletter including a ‘parable in light’. From time to time, it’s astonishing to learn how traditional efforts and present day design find each other in exclusive luminaire productions. Here are two stunning pendants  that very well reflect this merger of craftmanship and 21st century technology, be it both in a very different style. I happily share some of my personal favorites with you.

Cupola: A hyper-realistic Reproduction of the St. Peter Basilica in Vatican Rome

The Cupola pendant luminaire is a hyper-realistic reproduction of the St. Peter Basilica Dome in the Vatican, one of the most significant Roman Catholic churches around the globe. The luminaire, exquisitely designed by Studio AMeBE from Milan, Italy, combines the very essences of meaning in a georgeous lighting masterpiece.

On the inner surface of the luminaire there are miniature representations of all the scenes found in the real St. Peter’s dome, and the outer surface resembles the ornate decorations on the Basilica building itself. The suspension wire and the power cable run through the silver cross that tops the pendant dome.

Theoretically speaking, it may well soon be possible to enjoy the glory of this incredible work of art from the comfort of your own home. Production is limited to 15 pieces only, each of them hand made. Price unknown. Potential buyers will need to ensure they have a sufficiently large space in which to install the “chandelier” – the dome is made of synthetic resin, nylon and fibreglass and measures 100 by 110 centimetres in diameter.

The suspended dome is illuminated inside and out. Dimmable LEDs are mounted within the rim on the outside, and an LED source installed in the oculus radiates light evenly over the painted inner surface. The LED light sources can be controlled via iPhone or iPad.

Skygarden by Marcel Wanders for FLOS

The Skygarden is inspired by a fabulous antique decorated plaster ceiling in Wanders own house. He named it “my Skygarden”. He loved the concept so much that by the time he moved the house, he could not leave it and had to find a way to take it to his next home. He took his tools and stole it from the ceiling.

This fabulous piece of history is now secretly hidden in a minimalist architectural sphere in the heart of his new home where he enjoys it with friends. It comes in both a pendant and a recessed version.

‘Cupola’ by Studio AMeBE and ‘Skygarden’ by Marcel Wanders. Pictures in this post are courtesy of the respectively named studio and designer.

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Bubble Lighting: Liquids and Air Bubbles Create Sublime Ambiance

TANGENT DESIGN’S KIHOU LIGHTS USE LIQUIDS AND AIR BUBBLES TO CREATE EXTRAORDINART LIGHT PLAY

‘KIHOU’ is a quite extraordinary, impressive indirect lighting product using two kinds of liquid and air bubbles. A ceramic bowl is filled with sticky liquid and a thin layer of black silicone oil floats on top. A small pump and LEDs are embedded in the bottom of the bowl, making luminous bubbles rise to the surface from the black liquid.

Mysterious Light

The indirect lighting product uses two kinds of liquid and air bubbles to realize an effervescent effect of pulsating golden bulbs. The rhythm of bubbles, the unexpected noise, stickiness of the liquid and lightness of the oil, and the mysterious contrast between the golden light and black surface all breathe life into this small cube, sublimating it into a product that people can feel an affinity with.

Tangent Design Studio

Tangent Design is known for developing unconventional illumination systems, creating ambient environments that result in sublime experiences as evidenced in this recent work ‘Kihou’.

Video and pictures are courtesy of tangent design.

Publication: 3D printing for the Lighting Industry

Featured article: “How 3D printing will transform the Lighting Industry”

Recently, I’ve featured a more in-depth article about 3D printing for the lighting industry at my website Lighting-Inspiration.com. This publication is intended for lighting professionals in lighting design or engineering that are struggling with the adoption or usage of 3D printing for their own business, or have critical thoughts about the impact it will have on the future of manufacturing.

The article will help you to learn about the importance of additive manufacturing for light engineering and how it wil be of impact for the future of the industry. A more generous introduction is followed by a more comprehensive outline of various USP’s that makes this technolog so adorable, along with some examples of companies that are doing a great job in the field.

In specific I recommend reading this contribution to my subscribed fellows from the lighting industry, but it might be of interest to anyone that wants to discover the further backgrounds and future opportunities with this exiting manufacturing break-through!

I am at your disposal in case of any questions, don’t hesitate to talk back and to let me know your thoughts.

Happy readings!

Marco de Visser