Lift-Off

Floor Lamp

Spring 2019 | 7 Weeks

Solo Project

Lift-Off is an interactive, articulating floor lamp. The light direction is set by moving the lower edge of any petal, giving it the ability to produce a variety of desired atmospheres. Dynamic physical interaction unlocks a deeper connection with the light. The neutral "even" position casts a uniform light equally in every direction. Moving the petals to the "up" position sets the stage for a social event, while moving them "down" produces a cozy atmosphere ideal for relaxing or reading a book.

Project Objective

Thumbnail Sketches

I began by sketching a variety of different thumbnails. The concept of breaking the static nature of lamps by integrating movement intrigued me. From these, I moved forward with a concept that used articulating petals to move the light direction up and down.

Inspiration

Realizing the similarity to jet engines, I explored them to develop both the form, as well as function of the lamp. Elements that stood out were the elongated hexagon profile of the petals, the circular form, and the raw metal finishes.

Refined Concept

I continued to further refine the lamp’s design through rounds of sketching and digital rendering, thinking through the form of its various states, as well as the cohesiveness of the petals and legs.

Mechanism Development

The mechanism centers around a friction hub that is radially linked to each petal by control rods. Movement of any petal applies force to the hub, moving the others in tandem. Radial symmetry simplifies fabrication and assembly.

I worked out the dynamics of the system using scale drawings.

From these, I developed a parametric assembly in Solid-Works that helped me adjust + fine-tune the mechanics quickly and efficiently.

Full-Scale Model

After stocking up on foam-core, chip-board, and butter-board I constructed a full-scale model of the lamp. This helped me make final adjustments to the lamp’s proportions and gave me a chance to validate the petal articulation mechanism.

Final Refinements

Fabrication

Final fabrication of the lamp took 1.5 weeks from start to finish. This included water-jetting, slip-rolling, shearing, press braking, milling, welding, riveting, and brushing. The majority of the lamp was made out of 6061 aluminum sheet and tube, while stainless steel was used for the legs and control rods.

Lift-Off

The lamp is primarily constructed of aluminum, brushed to a bright, silky luster.

The light source itself is concealed within, stimulating curiosity. Glimpses of the internal workings juxtapose the seamless petal exteriors, drawing the user to explore their function.