The DOT pendant light began as an idea to create a ‘disc of light’ made by an assembly of two parallel discs connected by a metal stem. Its simple form belies an inherent complexity that pushes the boundaries of existing technology through years of research. The smaller disc, made of machined aluminium, contains a ring of LEDs that bounce the light off the larger spun metal reflector disc. The result is a minimal pendant light that gives the appearance of a floating disc of light, with no shadow cast by the cooling stem.
Description of the project by Foster + Partners
The Lumina EVA is a table-top indirect up-light that emerged from earlier design iterations of a dining table lamp for an architectural project. The idea was to create a floating cone of light that emanates a warm glow similar to candlelight.
The entire assembly sits within a glass tube with a round mechanised aluminium base housing a single LED. The LED projects light upwards onto a reflective cone, held flush with the top of the tube by a seamless mitred joint in the glass. The light passes through two lenses – a flat holographic lens and a larger conical lens that mirrors the form of the reflector above, while accurately focusing the light onto it. At eye level the light source is invisible, and the reflector appears to float above, radiating a soft, warm glow.
The lamp is also a tactile object – wrapped around the base is a grooved, free-moving wheel that works as the dimmer, which uses infra-red sensors to achieve precise control over light levels. The lamp – available in anodised Black, Bronze, Brass and Silver finishes – is an exemplar of crafted precision that combines the latest LED technology, with a meticulous understanding of the qualities of light.
On the other hand DOT.
The Lumina DOT pendant light began as an idea to create a ‘disc of light’. An assembly of two parallel discs connected by a metal stem, its simple form belies an inherent complexity that pushes the boundaries of existing technology.
The smaller disc – made of machined aluminium – contains a ring of LEDs that bounce the light off the larger spun aluminium reflector disc. Given the high heat produced by LED lamps, its housing would normally need to accommodate a heat-sink to absorb and dissipate the heat, which can be quite bulky
To preserve the minimal form of the lamp, the design uses an innovative heat tube that connects the two discs. This tube contains a fluid that turns to vapour as it absorbs the heat, transferring it efficiently to the heat sink in the reflector. Two separate lenses cover the LEDs – a ring shaped lens that focuses the light accurately onto the entire reflector, and a holographic filter lens that gives it a uniform illumination, avoiding shadows from the stem. The result is a minimal pendant light that gives the appearance of a floating disc of light.
The reflector has a super-matte white finish and is available in four different sizes from 600-millimetres to 1.5-metres, allowing for varying degrees of enclosure and illumination. Showcasing an innovative approach towards lens technology and temperature transfer the lamp is suitable for use as a single pendant or a chandelier cluster, and comes in a range of different finishes – brass, anodised graphite, red oxide and ink blue.
