Adamas: A Symphony of Light and Materiality

Francesca Schiavello's Award-Winning Origami-Inspired Floor Lamp

Adamas is a floor lamp that stands out for its unique dual materiality. The design features a metal pedestal and a paper lampshade, each element contributing to the overall balance and harmony of the piece. The iron pedestal provides stability and geometric precision, while the delicate paper lampshade, folded according to the origami technique, adds a touch of lightness and fragility. The lampshade and pedestal are connected by a brass cone, which not only mirrors the geometry of the lampshade but also illuminates the structure with a soft, warm light.

The realization of Adamas involved a meticulous process that combined traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. The structure of the lamp was made using square section tubular iron elements, which were dry fitted and fixed with screws to a circular base. The lampshade, on the other hand, was hand-folded from FSC parchment paper and then fixed to the lamp holder. The result is a floor lamp that is not only visually striking but also environmentally friendly, as it is designed for use with an LED e27 bulb.

Adamas was born out of a two-year project that began in Switzerland in 2018 and concluded in Milan in 2020. The design process involved extensive research into the behavior of paper and light, with a particular focus on paper folding techniques. The triangle tessellation, the smallest polygon one can generate, played a crucial role in the design of both the lampshade and the metal structure. The goal was to create a piece that was as light and harmonious as possible, emphasizing the complex geometry of origami.

Creating the Adamas lamp posed several challenges, from testing different types of paper to designing the pedestal and determining the best assembly structure. However, with the support of a skilled blacksmith and a commitment to achieving a balance of elegance and lightness, these challenges were successfully overcome. The result is a floor lamp that combines the elegance of Italian design tradition with the beauty of Japanese origami art, a testament to the designer's creativity and technical expertise.

Adamas has been recognized for its design excellence, winning the Silver A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and Adamas certainly fits the bill. With its harmonious blend of light and materiality, this floor lamp is a shining example of how design can elevate everyday objects into works of art.