Bow: A Minimal and Magical Wooden Lamp

A Sculptural Illumination with Hidden Surprises

Inspired by the allure of bending wood, Davide Mezzasalma created Bow, a lamp that combines natural beauty with innovative functionality. The lamp's design aims to capture the essence of a soft, organic shape while concealing its true purpose. Each step of the development process was driven by the desire to explore and understand the properties of the material, resulting in a truly unique and captivating piece.

Bow is crafted from bent natural ash wood, taking the form of a simple wooden bow. However, it holds a secret: an LED light rail that remains hidden until the integrated touch switch is pressed. This clever design feature adds an element of surprise and magic to the lamp. Additionally, the lamp is equipped with an invisible magnet, allowing it to adhere seamlessly to any iron surface or dedicated support. The modular principle behind Bow also enables it to transform into a multi-part floor or pendant luminaire, offering versatility and adaptability.

The lamp body is meticulously realized through lamination, with thin 1mm slices of ash wood pressed and glued in a mold. This technique ensures the lamp's durability and stability while maintaining its elegant form. The dimmable LED railing integrated into the lamp emits a power of 6W, equivalent to a 40-watt standard bulb, making it ideal for use as a reading lamp. With a width of 55mm, a length of 500mm (excluding connectors and support), and a thickness of 13mm, Bow is designed to provide optimal lighting performance.

Interacting with Bow elicits a sense of wonder and amazement. The lamp's ability to emit light from what appears to be a solid wooden sculpture creates a magical experience for users. The integrated touch switch further enhances this enchanting feeling, providing a full emotional connection to the lamp.

Davide Mezzasalma developed Bow in his Berlin atelier, with the initial experimentation taking place in 2017. After numerous prototypes and refinements, a fully functional version was completed in 2019. The lamp has since been exhibited at prestigious design events, including Fuorisalone in Milan and the London Design Fair.

The creation of Bow involved extensive research and practical exploration. Mezzasalma's focus on minimalism, natural aesthetics, and lightweight design guided the project. Through meticulous testing and documentation, he determined the optimal thickness of the wood layers, the ideal light intensity, and the desired light diffusion. The result is a design solution that offers both efficiency and aesthetic appeal, promising a successful entry into the market.

Overcoming various challenges was an integral part of the design process. Mezzasalma pushed the material to its limits to fully understand its properties and achieve the best performance. Determining the appropriate wood type, layer thickness, and LED spacing required the creation of 24 prototypes. The most significant challenge was finding the right electrical components and achieving the necessary magnetic force to ensure the lamp's stability in any condition.

Bow is a testament to the fusion of art, design, and technology. Its minimalistic form, hidden LED rail, and magnetic attachment system make it a truly innovative and captivating lighting solution. With its unique blend of aesthetics and functionality, Bow has been recognized with the Bronze A' Design Award in the Lighting Products and Fixtures category, further solidifying its status as an outstanding and creatively ingenious design.