5 sculptural lights to elevate your space

When light bulbs were first invented, circa 1835, they had a habit of shining too bright and burning out too quickly. It took multiple attempts from many inventors — Thomas Edison being the most famous of the bunch — to arrive at a commercially viable option. While the concept, and in many cases, the appearance of light bulbs haven’t strayed too far from the first iterations, technology has advanced dramatically. From clap-activated lights to the electronic billboard, the possibilities for illumination are truly endless.  

As with the advancement of light bulb technology, light fixtures have undergone thousands of variations. From ornate 19th-century Tiffany glass lampshades to the sleek utilitarianism of mid-century desk lamps, the light fixture has been an avenue for designers to express themselves — both in the design of the fixture itself, and the application of the fixture in a space. 

More than simply illuminating an environment, lighting has the power to influence the way we feel — emotionally and physically — within a space. Good lighting promotes positivity and wellbeing, while bad lighting can leave you feeling irritated and drained. As light enthusiasts, the team at Light Establishment has dedicated themselves to fostering the transformative power and beauty of lighting design in New Zealand, with a particular focus on empowering independent lighting designers. 

With a curated collection of unique and innovative luminaires available, Light Establishment encourages designers to think outside the box when it comes to light specification. ArchiPro spoke to Caleb King, CEO of Light Establishment, to hear his picks for five sculptural lights to elevate your space.

1. Band-Oh! by Delta Light 

Designed as a feature wall light for interiors, the Band-Oh! not only directs light up and down in a V-shape, but projects a play of light across the surface of the fixture as well. Made from several shells layered on top of each other, the overlap between two layers shields the light source, while an opening allows reflected light to escape, creating a soft glow on the inner shell and an illusion of the outer shell floating above. The outer shell is double finished in two shades of black — structured matte and a shiny piano black — while the inner shell is finished in brushed old bronze for an extra layer of richness.

2. Stip by Delta Light

Stip by Delta Light is a low level wall light designed for lighting pathways or steps in outdoor applications. The two variations — round and square — offer slight differences in light direction; the round one designed for general lighting, while the square one features an in-house developed lens that throws the light to both sides. Stip is available in either a dark grey or light grey for an elegant appearance in any environment.

3. Lightgarden W3 by ADesignStudio

Lightgarden W3 was inspired by the way bright sunlight appears as it bursts through the canopy of a grove of trees; the angular petals of bougainvillea and the way they grow freely over inner-city walls; and the opportunity for endlessly variable compositions and materials. Created by ADesignStudio as a conceptual approach to scalable atmospheric lighting, each light consists of three triangles that come to a point, with a dimmable LED bulb emitting a soft glow behind them. Lightgarden W3 is best suited to indoor wall applications.

4. Flat White W1 by ADesignStudio

Just like your morning coffee, Flat White W1 is designed to be enjoyed everyday. Warm and soft with a smooth tactile quality, the hand blown glass diffuser is detailed with a concave chamfer and acid etch opal finish. It sits just off the wall, as if it’s almost non-existent, with a cutaway heatsink that fades into the shadows to emphasise the most important part of the fitting: the light itself. Suitable applications include wall lights and bathroom mirrors

5. Mirro Soft Suspended by Wever & Ducré

The Mirro Soft Suspended is part of a larger collection of acoustic lights by Wever & Ducré. Made from fine synthetic felt that performs both acoustically and aesthetically, the Mirro Soft Suspended is elegant and highly functional. Available in two lengths and four different colours, this pendant light is suitable for both residential and commercial applications.

King’s final word of advice comes in two parts: “Less is more, and use less downlights.” With such a beautiful selection of interesting light fixtures available through Light Establishment, King’s advice won’t be hard to follow. 

Learn more about Light Establishment.