Bronze Lighting Products and Fixtures Design · 2022
Hypnoss Floor Lamp
- A' Design Award 2022 Bronze Winner in Lighting Products and Fixtures Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Modam section
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 13,456
- Verification code B5D52357FE · Verify this award
About Hypnoss Floor Lamp
Who rides a Vespa eats apple (Chi Vespa mangia le mele). This sentence, a reference to the forbidden tree in biblical scriptures, was part of Vespa's advertising campaign in the 70s. So it belongs to all those deconstruct. Hypnoss Dna is from scrap Italian motorcycles and becomes alive again and is given the chance to continue its journey in another form including the whole steering wheel and its odometer with an individual number of kilometers passed. As they lit up the way home, now this motorcycle can light up the home.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Automobiles and motorcycles have a big part in human lives. People spend significant time with them, but they have a specified lifetime.
As they lit up way to home, now a motorcycle can light up the home.
Hypnoss DNA is selected from scrap famous Italian motorcycle and become alive again and is given the chance to continue their journey in another form, the whole steering wheel and its odometer with a unique number of kilometers passed. - Dimensions & Packaging
- 700 mm x 300 mm x 1150 mm
- Tags
- lighting, ready-made, vespa, shade-lamp, floor-lamp
- Production Technology
- Hypnoss floor lamp is built up in 3 parts. The first one is a refurbished steering wheel of the scrap motorcycle with a long-lived odometer and all-new plastics as the main and the shining part. Its wiring remapped for turning on lamp and odometer's lights by its original switch.
The second and centric metal part is inspired by the outlines of the original steering wheel and tripod joints, made by the CNC milling method.
The tripod is the third part made from high-grade beech wood to fit better in every home as a piece of furniture. - Design Challenge
- As the steering wheels are from a scarp motorcycle, it was a challenge to refurbish it and do not erase its memory. The main steel body and the odometer were selected to represent its identity and its memory. The wiring changed to turn on floor lamp by original motor lamp switch powered by local mains electricity. The main steel part has been sandblasted and painted new. Working with different specialties like a mechanic, sandblasting, car painter, electrition, CNC milling, and carpentry was the big challenge and also the exciting part of the project.
- Project Duration
- The project started in the first quarter of 2019
- Operation Flow
- Hypnoss works as stand lighting and you can turn it on by original motorcycle electric switch on the steering wheel.
it can be adjusted in different levels and also rotated on the centric part - Research
- The intention from the beginning was to extend the life of the thing that lived with us. As people spend significant time changing their place in cities, they live with automobiles and motorcycles and they affect the people's lifestyle. we focused on the most stylish motorcycle that in each decade has different characteristics and belongs to a different caste. The project focused on personas that had a memory with them and designed their relation with the floor-lamp. Each product has a book and an identity card that contains photos and illustrations of these relations to introduce itself to the new owner.
- Inspiration
- "chi Vespa mangia le mele";Who rides a Vespa eats apple. This sentence, a reference to the forbidden tree in biblical scriptures, was part of Vespa's advertising campaign in the 70s. Here eating an apple is a metaphorical indication of doing away with societal conventions and their ensuing chains: Man was tempted, ate an apple, and was expelled from the garden of Eden.
Eating an apple is taboo, thus Vespa bikes were for all those who wanted to break the boundaries of the system and librate - Image Credits
- ELECT studio
Colors of Hypnoss Floor Lamp
Design Interview about Hypnoss Floor Lamp
The main idea was to bring new life to a discarded Vespa steering wheel by transforming it into a functional and emotional object. The inspiration came from the Vespa’s iconic design and the memories it carries for its owners.
The focus was to merge the past and present by creating a piece that preserves the Vespa’s history while fitting seamlessly into modern interiors. I wanted to make something sustainable, meaningful, and personal.
I aim to expand the concept by exploring other iconic objects for upcycling and storytelling. I also hope to collaborate with collectors and enthusiasts to preserve more unique pieces.
The entire process took about 6 months, from initial research and sketching to final production and detailing.
It was a personal project born from inspiration. I’ve always been fascinated by the Vespa’s design and wanted to honor its legacy in a new way.
I currently produce it myself, ensuring each piece is unique. However, I’m open to collaborations or limited editions with like-minded companies.
The Vespa’s timeless appeal and emotional connection with its owners inspired me. I wanted to create something that keeps those stories alive.
While the project was primarily personal, the broader philosophy of upcycling and sustainable design deeply influenced my approach.
The target audience includes design enthusiasts, Vespa lovers, and people who value sustainable, story-driven products.
Each piece is unique, crafted from authentic Vespa parts. It’s not just a lamp—it’s a story of transformation and connection.
The name Hypnoss comes from the mythological god Hypnos, who is associated with sleep and dreams. In mythology, Hypnos is depicted with a light on his forehead, symbolizing awakening and clarity. This felt fitting for the lamp, as it carries forward the idea of illuminating both spaces and memories, bringing something forgotten into a new, vibrant life.
I used a mix of hand sketches, digital modeling tools like Rhino, and CNC milling for precision manufacturing.
The odometer and steering wheel from a Vespa remain intact, preserving the history and memories tied to the object.
I collaborated with mechanics for restoring Vespa parts and carpenters for crafting the wooden tripod base. Their expertise added depth to the project.
Technology, particularly CNC milling, helped replicate the Vespa’s contours precisely, bridging its industrial heritage with modern craftsmanship.
The design was influenced by cultural and emotional research, focusing on the Vespa’s significance in people’s lives and how to best preserve that in a new form.
One challenge was rewiring the Vespa switch for modern lighting while maintaining its original feel. Finding authentic parts and engaging experienced craftsmen also required effort.
It was a combination of my belief in the unique story of the Hypnoss Floor Lamp and my friend’s consistent encouragement and suggestion. Their support motivated me to showcase the design on a global platform, highlighting its blend of upcycling, storytelling, and craftsmanship.
I learned how to balance technical precision with emotional storytelling. Collaborating with specialists also deepened my appreciation for craftsmanship.
The Hypnoss Floor Lamp is more than a product; it’s a statement about sustainability, connection, and honoring the past while creating something new. It’s a call to rethink how we see everyday objects and their potential.
Grand Interview about Hypnoss Floor Lamp
The Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in how we interact with our belongings and tools. Over time, it cultivated a culture of consumption where we became increasingly detached from the objects we use daily. This shift wasn’t just about efficiency; it was about creating a market where things could be easily replaced. As a result, we’ve lost the emotional connection to our tools and belongings, making it easier for industries to sell us new products and encourage us to discard the old, regardless of the memories or experiences tied to them.For me, this detachment feels like a missed opportunity. Many of these objects have been with us through significant moments—both good and bad—and have become silent witnesses to our lives. With the Hypnoss Floor Lamp, I wanted to challenge this culture of disposability. By repurposing a Vespa steering wheel, I aimed to restore the sense of belonging and history we once had with the tools and objects we used. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about recognizing the stories these items carry and giving them a meaningful new purpose in our lives.
The odometer in the Hypnoss Floor Lamp serves as a tangible connection between its past life and its new journey. It’s a moment where both the lamp and its owner come together, carrying their histories—scratches, imperfections, and memories—into a shared future. Just as we all have past experiences that shape who we are, these objects, particularly those reborn from discarded materials, bring their stories with them, making them distinct from something entirely new.For an emotional object like Hypnoss, the decision to own it often stems from a deep, personal connection. This connection might come from having owned a similar object in the past, dreaming of having one, or cherishing the memory of a loved one who did. In the case of motorcycles, the numerical memory on the odometer becomes a symbolic reminder of journeys taken, places visited, and moments lived. It’s not just a number—it’s a piece of history that creates an emotional bridge between the object and its new owner.
It had to be original because we’re talking about creating emotional bonds. The feeling had to remain authentic, as it was with the Vespa itself. This was a crucial element of the project—it had to strongly convey its story and essence.To use the original buttons, I visited old repair shops that still had these parts and spoke with experienced repairmen who had worked on Vespas for decades. I chose to share the story of the project with them, inviting them to be part of this rebirth process. It was more than just a technical task; it was about creating a shared moment of delight. Engaging them in this way not only preserved the authenticity of the parts but also honored their lifelong connection to these iconic machines.Interestingly, reengineering the internal connections to make them compatible with a standard electrical grid turned out to be the easiest part of the process. I often call it the “must but side”—a necessary technical step, but not the most challenging or rewarding part of the journey. The real complexity lay in preserving the original tactile and emotional experience of the switch.This approach also reflects the deeper philosophy of the project—to challenge the way we think about the past and show that something discarded can be reborn with meaning. These efforts and collaborations are embedded in every piece of the Hypnoss Floor Lamp. It wasn’t a one-time challenge; each lamp carries the essence of its own unique journey, making it truly special.
When designing objects for home interiors, it’s essential to honor the warmth and presence that domestic spaces embody. Wood, especially high-grade beech wood, is one of the calmest and warmest materials, making it the perfect bridge between the industrial origins of the Hypnoss Floor Lamp and the intimacy of a home environment.The lamp’s industrial elements, like the Vespa steering wheel, were originally designed for the streets, embodying a rugged and utilitarian aesthetic. To integrate these elements into a domestic setting, I needed a material that could provide a sense of balance and connection. Beech wood, with its natural texture and timeless appeal, serves as that link. It softens the lamp’s overall design and ties it to other home furnishings, making it feel like it truly belongs in a living space.This contrast between the industrial and the organic not only enhances the visual appeal of the lamp but also reinforces its narrative of transformation—taking something from the streets and seamlessly integrating it into the warmth of a home.
With Hypnoss, I wanted to emphasize that this is not just a lamp; it’s an object with a story. Stories have always been told through books, which is why we designed an image-based storytelling book to accompany each lamp. This book conveys the emotional journey the lamp carries with it—its past life as part of a Vespa and its new role in someone’s home. It allows owners to connect more deeply with the piece by understanding the narrative behind its creation.As for the identity card, it serves to personalize each Hypnoss Floor Lamp. Since every lamp is made from the unique metal parts of a real Vespa steering wheel, with its own color and a handcrafted wooden tripod, we reflect these details in the identity card. The card features:A Carved Steel Plate: Displaying the lamp’s unique identification number and technical details.Colored Leather: Matched to the lamp’s color, adding a tactile and visual connection.A Wooden Backing: Mirroring the warmth of the tripod and providing a cohesive design element.These materials tie the identity card directly to the lamp itself, making it a meaningful keepsake. Together, the book and identity card enhance the connection between the lamp’s past and its new purpose, turning it into a piece that tells a story every time you interact with it.
The CNC milling process was key to keeping the original spirit of the Vespa steering wheel alive while transforming it into something new. It allowed us to replicate the curves and details of the steering wheel with precision, making sure the lamp still carried the essence of its automotive heritage.At the same time, the clean and accurate finish that CNC milling provides gave the lamp a modern look. This balance between the original design and contemporary manufacturing helped create a piece that feels both nostalgic and fresh—bridging the gap between the Vespa’s legacy and its new role as a floor lamp.
Collaborating with specialists like mechanics and carpenters brought so much depth to the project. The mechanics helped me understand and preserve the original Vespa parts, ensuring their authenticity. Their expertise gave the lamp its soul by keeping the mechanical details true to their origin.The carpenters, on the other hand, brought warmth and craftsmanship to the design. Their work with the beech wood tripod made the lamp feel like it belonged in a home, balancing the industrial elements.This interdisciplinary approach made the final design more thoughtful and complete. Each specialist’s input added a layer of expertise, turning the Hypnoss Floor Lamp into a true blend of craft, function, and emotion.
It validated the idea that upcycling can be more than just reusing old parts—it can create something meaningful and emotionally powerful. The recognition reinforced my belief in storytelling through design, especially when working with discarded objects.This achievement pushed me to think deeper about sustainable design. It’s not just about the materials; it’s about honoring the history of those materials and giving them a new purpose. With Hypnoss, I saw how much people connected to the story of the Vespa and its transformation into a lamp. Now, I focus even more on designs that merge sustainability with emotional connection, making products that people don’t just use but truly value.
My background in architecture taught me to think about space and how objects interact with it, while anthropology gave me a deeper understanding of the emotional and cultural connections people have with things. These two perspectives were at the core of designing the Hypnoss Floor Lamp.From an architectural point of view, I wanted the lamp to not just light a room but also fit harmoniously into a home, balancing its industrial origins with warmth and functionality. Anthropology helped me focus on the story behind the lamp—how the Vespa, as a cultural icon, carries memories and meaning for so many people. This shaped my decision to preserve key details, like the steering wheel and odometer, and to create elements like the identity card and storytelling book, which help new owners connect emotionally to the lamp.Ultimately, the combination of these disciplines made the lamp more than just an upcycled object—it became a meaningful piece that speaks to people’s experiences and stories.
I see the Hypnoss Floor Lamp as a reminder that everyday objects, even those we think are obsolete, still have stories to tell and value to offer. It challenges the idea that something is only worth keeping as long as it serves its original purpose. By transforming a Vespa steering wheel into a lamp, I wanted to show how design can give a second life to objects we might otherwise discard.Looking ahead, I hope Hypnoss inspires designers to think differently about materials and objects. It’s not just about upcycling; it’s about creating emotional connections and finding ways to bring history and function together. I envision more designs that make us rethink what we throw away, turning “waste” into pieces that are meaningful, beautiful, and timeless. This approach not only challenges our relationship with objects but also encourages more sustainable and thoughtful living.