10 Innovative Lighting Designs from ICFF 2011
See the Latest in Lighting From the International Contemporary Furniture Fair
Everyone has favorites and must-sees at the annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Some people love chairs, some rush toward outdoor furniture, while others are all about the little accessories and knick-knacks. For me, it's all about the lighting.
Modern lighting has become such an cutting-edge area of design, and lighting designers today have to be highly skilled and gifted to be successful. Many of the products that came out of ICFF this year were unique and inspiring functional pieces of art. From milk bottle lights, to paper desk lamps, to fire hydrant pendants, the lighting this year did not disappoint.
Modern lighting has become such an cutting-edge area of design, and lighting designers today have to be highly skilled and gifted to be successful. Many of the products that came out of ICFF this year were unique and inspiring functional pieces of art. From milk bottle lights, to paper desk lamps, to fire hydrant pendants, the lighting this year did not disappoint.
Large-Frame Light Cluster Chandelier
A clever combination of the brand's frame lights, Iacoli & McAllister's Large Frame Light Cluster is a modern and surprising chandelier. Available in six colors, the cluster contains eleven lights in total — five medium and six small — UL listed and ready to wire, the cords come pre-cut at lengths ready to install.
Aqua Creations 96 Molecules Table and Floor Lamps
A huge hit at this year's show, these lamps from Aqua Creations are part of a lighting collection based on the origami art of Ilan Garibi. Each lampshade is exquisitely made by folding a blank sheet of paper by hand into these intricate and complex shapes. Powered by dimmable LED and operated and controlled by touch, these lamps stay true to Aqua's style of natural materials and the most cutting-edge technology.
Studio Gorm Milk Bottle Lamps
A collaboration between two former classmates at the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, these innovative product designers now work and live at the University of Oregon. Their simple and modern aesthetic is perfectly represented in their series of Milk Bottle hand-blown glass lamps, which come in various colors and shapes.
Tom Dixon Round Bulb Chandelier
Always a star at ICFF, Tom Dixon released his Bulb Chandelier series at his innovative and award-winning booth this year. This steel frame chandelier uses Dixon's own Bulb design — an energy-efficient light bulb that was designed in reaction to the diminishing use of incandescent bulbs and the unfortunately designed replacements. The light can be used on its own, or with three chandelier frames.
Delta IV
The team at Rich Brilliant Willing — and winner of the Best New Designer at ICFF — is known for its simply genius designs. The Delta IV pendant is definitively modern in style, but its simple form makes it somewhat familiar. Inspired by propulsion systems and rooftop vents, the Delta series is designed for use with energy-efficient bulbs. The shade of this lamp is available in white fabric with a white liner, or black with a gold foil liner.
L.U.M. Lamp
One of many Brooklyn-based product designers at ICFF 2011, UM Project emphasizes the time, passion, and craft that goes into each and every one of the pieces they produce. The L.U.M. Lamp is a perfect example of this dedication. This fun table lamp is simple but rich, and is constructed of polished copper and aluminum with a base of either ash or walnut.
TOKENnyc Lemp Pendants
Another "made in Brooklyn" designer, TOKENnyc's striking Lemp Pendants are blown and finished by hand. These curvaceous lights were inspired by two very different items with very similar shapes: Russian stacking dolls and citrus fruit. The unique surface treatment pays tribute to architect Carlo Scarpa’s 1940s glass designs produced by Venini.
Odyssey Suspension Lamp
These glowing green orbs are an example of the huge presence of eco-friendly lighting at ICFF — they're made of melded recycled beer bottles. iQ Environments' Odyssey Suspension Lamp is molded into the shape of a fire hydrant lid. Designer Ismael Quintero found the lid used as the mold when wandering Wall Street during the aftermath of September 11, 2011. This eco-friendly design is a beautiful tribute to that devastating day. Each lamp reads "Nostri Lumen Est Una," which means, "Our Light is One."
Wästberg Claesson Koivisto Rune
This lamp may be the definition of green design. Believe it or not — the structure of this sleek and high-tech looking lamp is made entirely of bio-degradable paper. Swedish design company wästberg sandwiched sheets of DuraPulp (a mix of paper pulp and starch polymer) to create a durable material, then made a point to use as little of it as possible. The twisted structure itself lends to the strong structure of the lamp, as well as its unique design. It's no wonder that this lamp has won the Reddot Design Award, the Good Design Award, and the Swedish Design Award.
DRUM Scrap Light
The shades of the DRUM series lights from Graypants are sturdily made by hand from repurposed cardboard. The design of the shade allows the pendant to provide a good amount of light above and below the fixture. This makes it a great and efficient light for both residential and commercial uses.
More:
Top 10 Picks from ICFF 2011
Browse more modern lighting designs
More:
Top 10 Picks from ICFF 2011
Browse more modern lighting designs