L.A.M.P. (Lighting Architecture Movement Project - https://lampthecompetition.com) International Design Competition Finalist: STELLAR
L.A.M.P. International Design Competition received 132 submissions from 80 Cities in 27 Countries in 2016.
INSPIRATIONS:
If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe…” said Carl Sagan, who is perhaps one of the most popular astrophysicists of the modern history. Understanding the meaning behind his words, I synthesized my own quote: “If you want to design a light fixture, then I need to invent the light first…”
Then I traveled to the point at which all had started, the Big Bang, and found my inspiration there. Stellar represents the origin and the birth of our universe. Like everything
else, light was born in there and ever so expanding to every direction. Hard geometric angles and diverging lines enforces the great explosion image.
else, light was born in there and ever so expanding to every direction. Hard geometric angles and diverging lines enforces the great explosion image.
Stellar was designed as two separate pieces, so the user can carry his/her universe anywhere he/she wishes. Smart processor inside the light globe provides many customization options, such as color, intensity, and/or sensor integration.
CONCEPT IMAGES:
These images were sent to L.A.M.P. International Design Competition.
EARLY PROCESS PHOTOS:
These photos represent the early stages of prototyping. Mostly paper and wooden sticks, but they provided a great deal of information at the beginning.
INTERMEDIATE PROCESS PHOTOS:
After many prototyping and alterations, 3D printing was started.
ELECTRONICS:
STELLAR uses 144 WS2812b individual LEDs. Each LED has four legs and they need to be soldered very precisely. It was a challenging task, but also rewarding. There were many failures and wrong turns; however, all was a part of the experience.
CODING:
Each WS2812b LED is special and must be controlled with a microcontroller, as they do not work with typical LED connections. Custom authored code was generated for Arduino to control each LED for color, intensity, and sequence. It was a wonderful moment to see all came alive.
PROTOTYPING:
STELLAR uses stainless steel tubing. They are connected with impact-resistant plastic parts. The angular precision is crucial here; therefore, digital manufacturing was used.
EVENT PHOTOS:
STELLAR was featured in the finalists exhibition in Vancouver, Canada. Unfortunately, during transportation, the globe in the middle was destroyed partially. Hot glue connections can be seen from the close-up shot.
SPECIFICATIONS:
STELLAR’s crown and its pedestal are made out of highly polished chrome rods. They are attached together with point-welding. The feet and the neck of the pedestal are solid iron providing necessary stability. Actual light fixture is a Bluetooth controlled RGB-LED system, which has rechargeable battery. Detached crown can provide 2-4 hours of continuous light at the highest intensity. The crown can be placed at any corner to recharge it back again. (18”x18”x58”)
