Recreating the timeless lightness of Japanese lanterns with a Dutch twist
The Rotterdam-based studio Atelier Robotiq shows how technology can enhance craftsmanship instead of overshadowing it, transforming recycled materials into dynamic light sculptures.
In today’s era of globalization, everything seems interconnected. Yet, there is a growing tendency to draw narrower boundaries and view the world through a single lens. However, in design, the blending of diverse practices, technologies, and experiences is crucial. It is through this synthesis that new possibilities arise, as demonstrated by the work of Atelier Robotiq.
Have you ever wondered what could happen if aerospace engineering, product design, fine arts and robotics converged? In this case, the result is the creation of lightness, geometric abstraction, and iconic, pure forms – two Japanese lanterns reimagined as contemporary light sculptures.
Atelier Robotiq’s design philosophy
Atelier Robotiq, the Rotterdam-based design studio founded by Søren Blomaard and Anne-Lise Heydra, recently showcased its latest creations – the Sway and Tilt lamps – at the Forms Unfolding exhibition during Dutch Design Week 2024, in Eindhoven, from October 19 to 27. Curated by Isola Design, this exhibition brought together a range of innovative works exploring the intersection of craftsmanship and technology. The Sway and Tilt lamps stood out, perfectly illustrating the studio’s unique approach: a seamless blend of traditional methods and cutting-edge robotics.
Søren Blomaard and Anne-Lise Heydra’s design philosophy is rooted in the integration of diverse knowledge and backgrounds, resulting in unexpected products, as exemplified by their first major collection, the Fiber Pattern Lamps. This series of lighting fixtures involves weaving fibers into intricate geometric patterns using industrial robots. Today, the studio continues to develop new lighting designs, furniture, and installations – all created in-house by their small team in their Rotterdam atelier.
The Sway and Tilt lamps: a symphony of shadows and material intersections
The lamps featured at Dutch Design Week represent the studio’s ongoing exploration of tape-weaving. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese lantern-making, Atelier Robotiq began experimenting with materials like washi paper, captivated by the interplay of shadows at their intersections. This exploration led to the discovery of cotton tape with the perfect translucency, enabling the creation of soft, diffused light reminiscent of Japanese lanterns. The challenge, however, was scaling this technique while preserving the integrity of the intricate patterns.
To address this challenge, the studio developed an innovative robotic weaving process that could replicate these handwoven patterns with precision. This new technique allowed them to create stunning geometric designs with exceptional consistency, making the lamps both visually striking and functional. The goal behind these designs was to create lamps that emit soft light – central to the calming atmosphere that Japanese design evokes.
“The warm, diffused light and playful overlapping tape patterns in our latest designs reflect our ongoing exploration of the intersection between art and engineering,” said Anne-Lise Heydra. The resulting lamps are not static objects but dynamic fixtures that respond to their environment, subtly changing depending on touch or movement.
Lighting fixtures that evoke a sense of lightness and movement
The Tilt lamp features a woven shade suspended above a spherical bulb. A gentle touch allows the shade to tilt, altering the direction of the light and shifting its flow. The minimalist cylindrical base provides stability while contributing to the lamp’s overall elegance. This playful interaction between form and function enables the Tilt lamp to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, making it both a functional lighting solution and an aesthetically engaging design object.
In contrast, the Sway lamp draws inspiration from the organic movement of swaying grass. Designed to move gently when touched or when stirred by a breeze, the Sway offers a serene and graceful lighting experience. The pole of the lamp stands firmly in a solid stone base, evoking natural materials like riverbeds or volcanic rock. The flexibility of the design allows the lamp to sway with the wind, adding a sense of fluidity and motion to the space it inhabits.
Technology as a catalyst for growth, not a force to fear
In a rapidly evolving world, where technological advancements are reshaping our relationship with products, Atelier Robotiq has embraced this transformation not to replace craftsmanship, but to preserve it. This approach stands in stark contrast to the prevailing trend of hyper-consumption and the rush toward accelerated production. In a system that pushes us to produce more, and ever faster, Atelier Robotiq’s lamps remind us that creating valuable objects takes time. After all, this is the true essence of design: crafting timeless products that endure and can be passed down through generations.
