Lagranja Design of Spain built the Bucky Lamp for Spanish lighting manufacturer Pallucco while paying tribute to Buckminster Fuller’s tensegrity structures,. The pendant lamp is composed of three blown glass tubes inserted with colored glass filters, and suspended on cables.

detail of the colored glass filters before insertion

Bucky and his tensegrity structure (below). (image via rw gray projects)

Designed in collaboration with Swarovski, San Francisco-based design studio, fuseproject, produced Amplify – a series of paper ‘chandeliers’. Unlike a traditional chandelier with its mass of lights and crystals, Amplify only comes with a crystal and a low-energy LED light, both enveloped in a faceted paper shade. The ‘chandelier’ effect, which is amplified with a single crystal, resulted in multiple beautiful reflections and rainbow color bursts.

According to fuseproject, the AMPLIFY chandelier’s aim is to put the Swarovski crystal effect into the hands of more people through its simple construction, easily accessible light source and sustainable material. Each chandelier is carefully crafted to maximize refractions on the inner surfaces. This effect can be seen on the faceted shade material, thus emulating the cut and reflective nature of the crystal inside. Each chandelier becomes its own large glowing crystal.

The Swarovski Crystal Palace Milan AMPLIFY launch exhibit will present 50 AMPLIFY chandeliers, contained in a black lacquered room as a large sculptural cluster, emerging from the dark with blazing crystal effects.

close-up of the crystal and the foldable paper shade

Each of the lantern shapes are housed in a flat package that echoes the shape of the chandelier it contains. The packaging graphics are simple and illustrative to reflect the different shade shapes and components contained inside.

The chandeliers will be available in production from Swarovski in the next year.

Images courtesy of fuseproject

I like the lightness and simplicity of the Drew furniture series designed by Kirsty Whyte of Purewhyte. The powder-coated, tubular steel rod furniture consist of table bases and a coat stand, each formed by bending a continuous piece of steel rod.

drew dining table

The Drew Dining Table is made currently made by hand from a continuous piece of steel, creating an intricate and intriguing table that verges on forming an optical illusion that is visible from all angles thanks to the tempered clear glass top that the base supports.

The initial concept was hand-modeled from wire, with many generations created before the final shape was selected. After the solution has been finalized, a complex 3D computer model was created, and then a suitable metalwork supplier found for the production of the sample.

drew coat stand

The Drew Coat stand uses the same design language as the table, but the form has been manipulated to allow for 6 apposing hooks to be created.

drew occasional and coffee tables

The occasional and coffee tables are an extension of the Drew range launched in Spring 2009. They use same handwriting and manufacture process; made from one continuous piece of steel rod. Meaning minimal material is wasted in production. The forms have been pared down, making an even purer form. They are smaller, lighter so it can sit with any contemporary environment.

Purewhyte‘s furniture will be shown with Designersblock during this month’s Milan furniture Fair.

Photographs: Alison Tanner

The Fluxus is a suspended Murano glass sculpture/lighting consisting of 80,000 handmade knit glass elements designed by Karim Rashid in collaboration with artist Michela Vianello who conceived the overall fabric.

Fluxus depicts “overtones of white to black passing through three nuances of grey to transmit constant visual vibrations. The color moves continuously within its optical space between the sculpture and the observer, capturing an ever-changing three-dimensional effect. It is constructed from mirrored laser cut metal tracks in which the knit elements are anchored, attached individually by means of a technical device created for andromeda. “

detail of the bent glass knit elements

via designboom

images via designboom + andromeda murano