Northwards Design Studio

Solar Chandelabra

2009

Open Design for TEN XYZ at 100% Design

Introduction
TEN XYZ saw TEN work with digital manufacturing technologies to present perspective on sustainable issues within the design industry.

Chris designed a series of appendages to work with existing objects that may have been discarded or broken in an attempt to extend their functioning lives. The digital files were then available for download for members of the public to use and adapt for their own needs.

The concept was for to introduce members of the public to the idea to online 'manufacturing-on-demand' resources such as Ponoko and Shapeways (who also supported the project) to fix and adapt objects, rather than purchasing mass-manufactured replacements.

TEN XYZ won a Blueprint / 100% Design Silver Award for Best Stand.

Design

Designed with Nicola Jackson, this flat pack, laser cut outdoor ambient lamp, uses cheap solar garden lamps. The shape references traditional chandeliers but takes its inspiration from flora found in the garden. It can be hung as a chandelier, or placed on a surface as a chandelier, uses solar power, and turns on automatically when there is insufficient light.

The design was hand drawn, as the aim was to instill the notion of the human hand with some imperfection, rather than producing a perfect digital object. The hand drawing was traced in Illustrator to enable digital fabrication.

The garden lamps were sourced from 'The Warehouse', a popular superstore in New Zealand, and although an ethically questionable establishment, the intention of the project was to combine the easily accessible and inexpensive, with something decorative, and of high design value. The lamps cost around .50 (£2.00 approx) and include a rechargeable battery, working on a light sensor.

The Solar Chandelabra amalgamates beautiful and ugly elements, whilst exploring the combination of cheap technical objects with a design file that can be personalised and manufactured locally through Ponoko.

You can download the digital file of the Solar Chandelabra from Ponoko for free. It is available under a creative commons licence, so you can alter the file to fit a similar light source, from a store near you and make a version for yourself.