This pendant lamp is the result of a deep material exploration to search for alternative methods to interface with and affect lighting in multi-use environments.
HOW IT WORKS
To change the orientation of this lamp, grab the rod and tilt the cone towards its desired target.
To manipulate the quality of the light, twist the rod. The smart glass diffuser transitions from translucent to opaque. This twisting interface encourages the user to explore subtleties throughout the full spectrum of change.
When the diffuser is more translucent, the majority of light escapes downward in a focused beam. When the diffuser is more opaque, trapped light escapes through the cone, causing the entire fixture to illuminate softly and evenly.
This simple set of controls allows the user to more seamlessly transition between experiences that would be best served with different qualities of lighting.
RESEARCH AND INSPIRATION
Task lighting is directional, intense, and focused. Ambient lighting is global, soft, and diffused. Simply dimming a task lamp would not effectively create ambient lighting, and simply intensifying an ambient light fixture would not create task lighting. Both types of lighting are necessary in the home, and often within the same space. But the interface to fluidly switch between the two does not generally exist.
These multiuse spaces were the target for my exploration. Tables, desks, and reading chairs all seemed like areas that could benefit from a product that could blend between task and ambient lighting.
DEVELOPMENT
From the beginning I was interested in using geometry to overcome the need for armatures or mechanisms when tilting the light. I was also interested in exploring the use of materials such as smart glass to allow the user to control the opacity of the light diffuser and give a quality of surprise to the interface. After extensive material research for the cone I settled on a multi-layered construction consisting of a soft white diffused Mylar exterior and a tinted 20% transparent reflective film interior. This tint reflects light downwards for task lighting but due to its translucency allows more light to escape once the diffuser is made opaque.
