VOLUTE LAMP
BRIEF:
I’ve been interested in exploring steam bending for a very long time. This project was initially sparked by the need to replace a lamp in my home, and as a designer and maker, I obviously wanted to design my own.
One of my biggest guiding design principles in all my work is design for disassembly, and this project is no exception. Design for disassembly in the homeware sector allows for more adaptability in use, more longevity, more opportunity to repair and refinish, easier shipping and storage, and in the end, better recyclability. The goal of this project was to create a design that incorporated style, quality, and longevity, while being light and practical.
Role:
Design, 3D modelling, and rendering.
The Process
Once I had a vague concept in mind, I moved to sketching and rough paper mockups, defining a form and working through construction details. In parallel, I began to model the design in SolidWorks. By moving back and forth between physical and digital, I quickly resolved the technical aspect of the design.
Inspiration
I started refining my aesthetic design direction by hunting for inspiration and creating a moodboard. I was particularly inspired by the atmosphere and environment around me, the ocean, seashells, my garden, and most importantly, the process of bending itself. Steam bending has historically been used for shipbuilding, and I really wanted to keep that connection in the design, including elements inspired by sails and rigging. I also wanted to draw from my background and experiment with mixing hard and soft materials and techniques.
Design for Disassembly
The entire lamp is designed to be able to come apart into its component pieces. No glues or adhesives are used in construction, and there are no mixed or laminated materials used. The entire assembly is held together with two main screws and can be assembled with no special tools.
Final Design
I named the lamp after the Volute sea snail, whose shell inspired the shape. The project shown here is only a digital render, but I’ve already built a 1:2 scale prototype and am beginning work on the real, full-scale final design.
