Objects Come Alive: A New Era of Biophilic Lighting Design

Designer Fengsheng Cai's Award-Winning Lighting Systems Inspired by Nature

Fengsheng Cai, a renowned designer, has transformed the concept of lighting systems with his latest creation, "Objects Come Alive." Drawing inspiration from the poetic beauty of nature, Cai has designed luminaires that mimic the growth habits, movement patterns, and rhythms of plants. This innovative approach to design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the luminaires but also imbues them with a sense of life, providing a unique sense of companionship to the user.

The strength of "Objects Come Alive" lies in its unique properties. The design is rooted in the principles of Biophilic design and kinesthetic empathy, making the luminaires more relatable. The luminaires respond to environmental changes, such as temperature and wind, providing a dynamic and immersive experience that can help alleviate anxiety, tension, and fatigue.

The realization of this design involved a meticulous process of technological innovation. Cai and his team developed a compact and stable light structure using a miniature silent motor and electronic components. They combined this with programmable materials to ensure the overall sensitivity and fluidity of the movement. The team also developed sensors to constantly capture changes in the environment, allowing the luminaires to move rhythmically like plants.

The "Objects Come Alive" collection includes the Floor Lamp of Wheat and the Table Lamp of Dandelion. Each piece is sophisticated, stylish, and modern, designed to be visually unobtrusive while providing a unique lighting experience. The luminaires interact with the environment and the user, with the light intensity of the wheat ears increasing and decreasing with the ambient temperature, and the light of the dandelion contracting and expanding with the breeze in the room.

The design process, which started in 2021 and was completed in 2022, was not without its challenges. The main hurdles involved designing robust, quiet, and compact hardware and programming the luminaires to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Despite these challenges, Cai and his team were successful in creating a product that not only mimics the movement of plants but also serves as a new interface to inform people of impending dangers such as earthquakes.

The "Objects Come Alive" design has been recognized for its innovation and creativity, winning the Silver A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2023. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and Fengsheng Cai's "Objects Come Alive" certainly fits the bill. With its unique approach to lighting design, this collection is set to redefine the way we perceive and interact with lighting systems.