Anna Carnick

Designer Dror Benshetrit’s new 3D Printed Lamp- Volume.MGX- transforms a flat, SLS print of interlocking squares into a super-cool, cube-shaped lamp. When unfolded and placed on its stand, the hundreds of squares are illuminated. Applying what he calls “squared square geometry,” Dror produced the lamp from one, collapsible piece. Manufactured by .MGX by Materialise, the lamp debuted during Design Miami/.

Collapsing Volume.MGX from Studio Dror on Vimeo.

In Greek mythology, “Arcadia” was an idyllic, remote mountain region where man lived in perfect harmony with nature. Gestalten‘s new book by the same title – Arcadia: Cross Country Style, Architecture and Design – demonstrates how modern design continues to facilitate a lifestyle in tune with our natural surroundings, featuring incredible architecture, bespoke furniture and interior design projects from around the globe.

Check out my full review at Coolhunting.com!

*Images courtesy of Gestalten

Jordan Cammarata, an Industrial Design student at Philadelphia University,  recently earned top honors with his PULL lamp (above), winning the 2009 Collab Student Design Competition. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Collab winner was announced during last week’s Marcel Wanders opening at the Museum.

As Cammarata explains it, the PULL lamp is a contemporary interpretation of Harvey Hubbell‘s pull chain socket, patented in 1896. By pulling the chain (also the stand), the light glows from the pull chain itself. The off-center position of the pull chain, inspired by its natural orientation, is counterintuitive to the casual observer. Inspired by Wanders’ work, PULL embodies the creative use of materials and unconventional style so characteristic of the award-winning Dutch designer’s work.

*image courtesy of Jordan Cammarata

For the Plaza Collection, Lulu Frost has taken original numbers and letters from NY’s Plaza Hotel doors and turned them into beautifully designed, feminine and modern pieces, a la Eloise. Check out my full review at Coolhunting.com!

Sonumbra by Loop.pH

Sonumbra by Loop.pH

Metabolic Media by Loop.pH

London-based research and design studio Loop.pH is bridging the gap between design and natural sciences, specializing in environmentally responsive textiles for the built environment. At its helm sit designers Rachel Wingfield and Mathias Gmachl, who marry traditional craft-based practices with cutting-edge technology and science.

One of their most recent standout projects is Sonumbra, an experimental series of solar-powered, tree-like structures that explore alternative sources of energy and low-cost lighting, designed to respond to the interplay and activity of the people orbiting the umbrella by casting a sonic shade of light. As Ms. Wingfield says, “Strands of light are laced into huge parasols with the potential to offer shelter from the sun by day and shed light for a local community at night using energy collected from the solar cell embedded it its canopy. We have been working with Riso DTU, the National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy in Denmark, with their printed, organic solar cells. These low cost, flexible cells become part of the architectural textile.” In some ways – specifically as eco-conscious, solar powered, community focused tree shaped lighting – Sonumbra reminds me very much of Ross Lovegrove‘s brilliant Solar Trees. However, much of Sonumbra’s magic also lies in the creation of an atmosphere of musical rhythms and luminous patterns – all determined by visitors’ movements in relation to Sonumbra.

An overlapping project called Metabolic Media has Loop.pH working with Riso DTU on solar cells for energy harvesting canopy. Specifically, Metabolic Media considers biomimetic architecture modeled on molecular structures and metabolism in living cells. Ms. Wingfield – also a research fellow at University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins College – has liased with and responded to the work of Nobel Laureate Sir John E. Walker on the project.

Click here to learn more about Loop.pH.

All images courtesy of Rachel Wingfield at Loop.pH.
H/T Inhabitat