Lighting design has long explored the concepts of weight, volume and translucency and London-based Raw-Edges Studio approaches these with newer dimensions with their latest collection called LightMass^. Instead of concealing or simplifying fixtures within walls and ceilings, the studio reimagines lighting as a sculptural element, creating immersive experiences that expand our approaches to spatial design. Here, the light source is positioned in the ceiling with a downlight that spreads across the suspended structure, almost like a floating mobile. This floods the form with light, transforming it into dynamic centrepieces. LightMass^ is a collection that hangs in a space like art, prioritising sustainable design as much as its visual impact.
Studio founders Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay envisioned LightMass^ as a response to the changing landscape of lighting technology. The development of architectural LED strips and remote light sources has rendered traditional lampshades obsolete. Yet, the need for a sculptural presence remains essential. "With LEDs, we don't need to diffuse light with shades anymore but we still need structural elements to define a space," the product designers share. The collection takes this idea further, using voluminous yet delicate forms to create an interplay of light and shadow, engaging during the day and night.
The collection's ethereal nature comes from its carefully engineered mesh structures, made entirely from a bio-based PLA/ biopolymer blend. Each piece is produced using FDM (fused deposition modelling) additive technology, a method that the designers selected for its zero-waste potential. Sustainability was a priority from the outset. "We wanted to ensure we were designing with the environment in mind. The material and method had to guide the process," says Alkalay.
Crafted from a continuous digital weave, the mesh surface is a technological feat, taking cues from Victorian-era greenhouses and intricately engineered bridges. The design process mimics the mathematical journey of a 3D printer's nozzle, resulting in a pattern that is hollow but structurally sound. "It was a fascinating challenge, we had to consider how to create a dense yet delicate grid, something that could interact with light while still being efficient for fabrication," shared the designers with STIR. This inspiration from 19th-century engineering projects is evident in the visual elegance of the structures, which balance beauty and utility seamlessly.
LightMass^ transforms when illuminated, with the translucent mesh capturing and scattering LED beams in intricate patterns. The effect is dynamic, shifting and playing with the atmosphere of a room. "We see them as particles in the air," the designers tell STIR. "Think about how a spotlight interacts with smoke in a dark club. The light needs something to scatter on and our structures offer that interplay." During daylight hours, the fixtures almost disappear into the environment, but as evening falls, they become luminous focal points, filling spaces with movement and intrigue, creating a moire effect.
Another captivating aspect of the product designs is its ability to adapt and evolve. Available as pendants in various shapes and sizes, as well as floor lamps and table lamps, the collection caters to diverse design needs. However, the true strength of it lies in its flexibility. The studio has designed the pieces to be easily customisable, inviting collaborations with architects and designers for site-specific projects. "We can modify the size, shape, pattern and colour. There's a huge potential for architectural projects that require unique light installations and we're eager to explore these opportunities," share the design duo.
The name, LightMass^, carries symbolic meaning as well. The inverted 'V' alludes to the flow of light beaming downward. "It's called a caret," the lighting designer notes, "one of the least-used symbols on a keyboard. We loved the idea of giving it significance, representing a beam of light facing down." This playful yet thoughtful touch encapsulates Raw Edges' approach to design: creative, meaningful and always innovative.
The sustainable approach of the collection goes beyond its materials. The openwork design minimises the mass of material used while enhancing the lightness of each structure. Despite their size, the pieces feel almost weightless, occupying space without dominating it. "It's similar to the idea of contemporary paper lanterns. Large but minimal in material mass, striking yet delicate. You cannot print large, unsupported shapes mid-air, so we designed each structure as four flat leaves connected by a 'zipper' edge to create the final form," Alkalay remarks.
As lighting design shifts towards more eco-conscious and minimal solutions, the studio hopes LightMass^ will inspire a new approach. "It was important to us to create something innovative, not just in how it looks but in how it's made," Mer emphasises. The studio's pioneering method of producing light elements without moulds and with sustainable practices points toward a future where creativity and environmental responsibility coexist.
Raw Edges sees the collection as more than a trend—it is a statement about what's possible when technology, artistry and eco-awareness come together. In an evolving design landscape, projects like this explore new ways to use light, emphasising both creativity and environmental responsibility.
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