Bronze Lighting Products and Fixtures Design · 2022
Orbita Lamp
- A' Design Award 2022 Bronze Winner in Lighting Products and Fixtures Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Atelierluer
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 21,896
- Verification code E359E8ECD7 · Verify this award
About Orbita Lamp
The user interaction with the lamp is at core of Orbita's concept. It's light setting and technology has been design to connect with the user. The gesture of splitting the sphere on top of the lamp determines the amount of light and switches it on/off. During the rotation the user can set the light on 4 different settings. The 2 half spheres can be in Copper, Brass, Aluminum or wicker, each one of them providing a distinct style and light shade experience. Orbita's structure is a solid wood tripod guaranteeing a firm standing and a solid pivoting core for the rotational system.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- INTERACTION, is Orbita's key element of innovation. A combination of highly skillful artisans with todays technology. Interaction translated as the gesture of the user splitting the domes to create light. from a single ball to two rotating hemispheres, perfectly balanced on a pivotal mechanism that allows a 360 degrees rotation and 4 different light settings.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- - Different wood specimens.
- 135h x 50cm x 50cm
- 3.8kg
- warm light - 4 different settings - interchangeable LED source - Tags
- woodcraft, technology, led light, floor lamps, tripods systems, wicker lampshades, copper lamp, reclaimed wood craft, lighting design
- Production Technology
- Orbita's manufacture is based on reclaimed wood native from Patagonia. Areas of the wood that have marks, cuts or recesses that tell a story are keep, such as old rail tracks and old logs. The CNC milling process give shape to the legs and rings that host the light source. Lathe parts are engineered to bring together the lamp and allow it's full rotation system while the pcb circuits make possible the light experience through the wicker or copper lamp shade.
- Design Challenge
- Orbita's 360 rotating feature required the engineering of a pivotal core along with an easy-fit locking system for inspection. The light source is an interchangeable LED ring, powered by a circuit board able to conduct electricity during rotation as well as switch on/off. The moving nature of wood is the most challenging obstacle when creating a highly technical product. Being all the pieces reclaimed they needed an accurate inspection to determine the best cuts and a proper drying.
- Project Duration
- The development of Orbita started in September 2020 in South of Chile and achieve full completion on August 2021 at the same location.
- Operation Flow
- The function of Orbita is determined by the interaction of the user. Orbita presents itself as a complete sphere when is OFF. The lights goes ON when the user split the sphere by rotating the upper dome. 4 different light settings can be chosen in accordance of the degree of rotation.
- Research
- The project's core is the interaction between Tech, Craft & User. Orbita is the intersection of the three. Interactive and noninteractive prototypes were put to the test. It came apparent that those showing solely craft were displaced by those with interactive features. Conclusion: 1- Interaction drew and determined customer choices. 2- From the users perspective, these products ranked higher in the market, what resolve in an increment on capitalization and financial gains for the artisans.
- Inspiration
- How do we keep the pace of an ever evolving market?
Orbita is the result of the Artisan world and Tech combined. The cultural background and delicate details of craftsmanship are now joined by the advances in technology that makes a highly crafted object not only beautiful and traditional, but interactive and timeless. - Image Credits
- Image #1,2,3,4,5: Photographer EstudioDaf, Orbita session, 2021
- Patents
- Copyrights Atelierluer 2021
Colors of Orbita Lamp
Design Interview about Orbita Lamp
Interaction is Orbita's key element of innovation. A combination of highly skillful artisans with todays technology. Interaction translated as the gesture of the user splitting the domes to create light. from a single ball to two rotating hemispheres, perfectly balanced on a pivotal mechanism that allows a 360 degrees rotation and 4 different light settings.
Does the interaction with a lighting fixture makes the lamp more interesting or appealing to potential customers? From what I saw it does. This was the starting point of my design. At first I focus on which movement or gesture could be instinctive enough to lead the user to light up the lamp. The splitting of an sphere fit the requirement, intrinsically we know that the splitting of atoms create light, which by splitting the sphere resemble such fact. Next was to design the mechanical and electrical components that would allow such movements.
Develop the rest of the line under Orbita concept, 4 more lighting fixtures that explore in the same way the user's interaction with the light.
Two years end a half were required to finalize the design. The fact that Orbita is an on the go project I needed to design every part, not knowing how a part should be, I couldn't ask a supplier to make it, only after I was certain that it will work, I could start ordering the final pieces. Was a great challenge to test my knowledge on electric circuits, mechanical lathe and wood working.
Inspiration. By looking at what has been done in this particular field, lighting design, I saw room for experimentation, where advance tech and natural materials meet. I have developed a strong interest on natural fivers and their potential.
As of now I'm manufacturing the lamp myself. Outsource part of it will be the next step since orders have started to ramp up and customers satisfaction is at the core of any successful company.
I have been always involve in wood working and mechanics, it came natural the integration of both to an idea I had.
The are great inputs from craftsmen from Chile who showed me the workability and nature of the wicker natural fivers I wanted to use. By spending time with them I couldn't stop thinking on all the lamps i could make.
The customer that wants to be amazed and enjoy fine craftsmanship.
Simply the fact that is unique. It fits into a segment where there nothing yet.
Orbita as you may guess means orbit, like our mon around the Earth or Saturn's satellites. In homage to my roots I kept the word in Spanish.
Every step on the way had it's tool. Pen and paper for the first designs, Rhinoceros for the 3D modeling, Saw and router for the woodworking parts and metal lathe for the mechanical parts.
the gesture required to light the lamp up.
Craftsmen for the creation of the wicker lampshade, engineers for the electrical circuits.
Without technology this design wouldn't be possible. The whole lighting system that allows rotation and 4 light settings is the result of today advances in LED and connectors.
The research I conducted showed several data, some of them made me understand how fivers could be better used and on the other hand the user's tendency for products that have a certain degree of interaction.
By far the most complicated part was the design of the electrical components. The light source required to be replaceable and easy to plug, intuitive like a bulb. This plugging system required then to be connected to the rotational circuit and be compact enough to fit in the 12mm core.
I have won ADesign Award in the past and I always wanted to win again. After I stepped aside from Interior Design it came natural to participate going back to Industrial Design.
The most important learning is the one I'm going through now, how to run a manufacturing line where there is people from different sectors involved. Suppliers, accountants, certificates, codes, agents and so on.
As a summary I want to say that the experience of seeing an idea become real is the fuel that propel all of us creative, is this what push entire societies forward and in every aspect, from music to arts to literature to design.