25 Nano: A Poetic Blend of Light and Glass

Ray Teng Pai and TUT Team's Award-Winning Ambient Light Design

The inspiration for 25 Nano came from the simple yet profound concept of a bubble's life cycle. When a growing bubble reaches a critical point of 25 nanometers in film thickness, it bursts, symbolizing the constant cycle of recycling and rebirth. This design uses contrasts such as light and shadow, solid and fragile, temporary and permanent, to express the relativity of things; the end is the beginning of a new opportunity.

What sets 25 Nano apart is its representation of ephemeral and permanence, birth and death. This artistic light instrument was created in collaboration with Spring Pool Glass Industrial CO., LTD, a company committed to building a systematic glass recycle loop for a sustainable future. The design uses the fragile bubble as a medium in contrast with solid glass to embody its core idea. As the bubble grows and bursts in rhythm, light refracts through it, casting a dreamy, rainbow-like glow and shadows around the user.

The realization of 25 Nano involved the use of recycled materials and advanced production techniques. The design features blown glass made from recyclable glass sand by Spring Pool Glass Industrial CO., LTD and recycled aluminum. The components were brought together using CNC machining, resulting in a compact body that houses both the light and a pump motor.

The design process was not without its challenges. The team had to find the right balance of soap solution, timing, and quantity to create the perfect bubbles for the desired effect. Several prototype models were made to achieve the final result. The design team also had to communicate extensively with the glass company to create the blown glass mold for medium to mass production, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and production quality.

In conclusion, 25 Nano is a testament to the power of innovative design and sustainability. Its unique features and the thought process behind its creation make it a deserving winner of the Silver A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award. It serves as a reminder that the end is often the beginning of new opportunities, a concept beautifully encapsulated in this ambient light design.