Melo is a ceramic pendant lamp inspired by the natural response of wet clay under the force of gravity. The result is a sculptural and functional piece. Architect and designer Catalin Filip works and experiments with various materials but particularly likes clay as a material that transforms from something very malleable into something solid, that could last a lifetime.
The body of the lamp is made from a slab of clay rolled into a tube. This is then bent and dried in place while hanging in order to keep its naturally formed shape. The clay is dried in a controlled environment and fired twice to increase its durability. Each piece is unique as it is individually handmade using locally sourced clay. The entire process is very slow as natural clay could easily crack when it is under a lot of tension caused by the hairpin bend.
The cable forms a loop and a knot at one end that helps with the mounting. This system also makes the height of the lamp adjustable and creates a seamless design. Melo could be used as a pendant light or lowered to create a more intimate lighting for work or reading. The lamp has two slots for LED light bulbs on both sides of the tube, which are designed to be at different heights in order to make the light brighter or dimmer depending on how the lamp is positioned.
The ceramic piece is about 20 cm tall and 500g in weight, which makes it very easy to mount on any type of ceiling or wall.
Melo Lamp is currently on Kickstarter, and it can be purchased with a pledge for £90 or £120.
Image Credit: Catalin Filip
What's Driving This Trend
- Handmade Ceramics
- There is a growing demand for unique, handmade pieces using locally sourced materials such as clay, which provides an opportunity for artists and designers to disrupt the traditional retail market by offering one-of-a-kind products with a personal touch.
- Smart Lighting Design
- The integration of LED bulbs and adjustable height options results in a more interactive and personalized user experience, allowing designers to disrupt the traditional lighting industry with more adaptable, functional and aesthetically pleasing innovations.
- Sustainable Home Decor
- The use of eco-friendly materials and production methods in home decor is becoming increasingly important, providing designers with an opportunity to disrupt the industry with products that satisfy environmental concerns, while still meeting aesthetical expectations.
Who This Affects Most
- Home Decor
- The home decor industry, particularly the lighting and ceramics subsectors, has the potential to be disrupted by artists and designers that offer unique, functional, and eco-friendly products.
- Art and Design
- Artists and designers can disrupt the traditional art and design industries by creating sustainable pieces with more interactions between the user and the product. They also can offer handmade unique pieces to satisfy growing demand of personal touch.
- Retail
- Retail industry is susceptible to being disrupted by boutiques that offer handmade and one-of-a-kind products such as ceramic lamps, thereby offering consumers sought-out eco-friendly pieces with personal touch.
