LightSpace

PROJECT NAME: 'Driving at Night' continued
DESIGN TYPE: Product
PRODUCT TYPE: LED light system
PROJECT DETAILS: Studio Practice 6 2012
PROJECT LOCATION: Unitec, Auckland
PROJECT TUTORS: Cris de Groot, Martin Boult
FINAL PROJECT GRADE: A-



What is it?
An LED pendant luminaire with lighting and spatial functionality.

Who is it for?
For domestic environments with open plan dining spaces.

What does it do?
The large, disc-shaped luminaire is suspended from the ceiling above the dining table. It contains two different LED systems that can be activated independently to create different modes of lighting. The large underside surface operates as an acoustic dampener, whilst also enabling a more intimate spatial perception.

Why is the design necessary?
This design is a response to the key issues that face tasks and experiences associated with open plan dining; a lack of respect for spatial definition, decreased acoustic qualities, increased distractions and the formation of impediments on cultural and traditional values and tasks.

How is it made/How does it function?
LightSpace is comprised of three different features.
The acrylic and echopanel LED segments provide soft lighting whilst eating or working. A turned wooden vessel conceals an LED spotlight that can be used for task lighting or highlighting centrepieces on the table. Thirdly, a suspension system made from wire cabling acts as a structural design feature for supporting the span of the LED segments and connection to the ceiling.




















6 comments:

  1. Very nice design. One concern for real world application is the use of wood to conceal the centre LED module. When designing LED fixtures managing the thermal properties of the LED system is a key issue. As wood would insulate the LED array the heat build up within the wooden cylinder would shorten the L70 rating of the LEDs. If this was a milled aluminum cylinder you should be able to draw the heat away from the LEDs faster and would most like improve overall system efficiency.
    Excellent aesthetic design.

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    1. Hi! Thank you very much for your post, I appreciate you taking the time to express your idea.

      As a matter of fact, the LED is housed in a specially designed aluminium casing (not pictured) that has fins to disperse the heat generated by the sole LED lamp. The internal cylinder of the hub is also surrounded by a 1.2mm thick aluminium tube (75mm diameter) that acts as an aligner during the laminating of the American ash.

      So there shouldn't be any concerns when it comes to heat dispersal :)

      Jade

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  3. Hey Jade

    I have always been a fan of taking a simple idea, often undermined and taken for granted, multiply it then create a system to manage it all in an inspiring, functional and fun manner. You seem to have the design and idea figured although I am concerned about one feature. Will the differing LED systems allow for any customisation (light intensity, patterns, colour changing) using a Programmable Logic Controller? Control via remote? Or is it a simple toggle system?

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  4. Hi Crisciple. Thanks for your comment. I'd be happy to answer your concerns...

    The 2 LED systems are independent and operate off separate switches. If the user would like to change the intensity of the light they simply have to install a dimming switch at installation, so that is not an issue.
    The Echopanel is laser cut so any desired pattern can be cut out, it's up to the desires of the client. for the prototype I just wanted to keep it simple so went for 5mm wide circles (stars) but it really could be any pattern or shape etc.
    When you say "colour changing", I assume you mean the light...?... It was something that I considered early, around the time I was researching. I actually came across a lamp called the XY Lamp by Australian designer, Flynn Talbot. This made me look further in to the use of colour lighting but I decided to concentrate on the spatial aspect of LightSpace as it's point of difference, not the colour of the light. But it would be possible, with the rapid advancement of LED lighting, I'm sure it could be achieved.
    As for controlling/interacting with the light, I envisaged my prior project, Light Controller ( http://jadedoeldesign.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/light-controller.html ), which was actually the original inspiration for LightSpace, as a control method. Towards the end of the project I discovered the abilities of NFC technology and wondered if maybe LightSpace could be controlled directly from your Smart Device in realtime...

    I hope that puts some of your concerns to rest :)

    Jade.

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  5. Hi Jade, is your pendant for sale anywhere in Australia?

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