Blocks Lamps: Modular Lighting Inspired by Urban Architecture

Sculptural table lamps transform cityscapes into dynamic lighting art

Blocks Lamps is a striking collection of sculptural table lamps that draws inspiration from the forms of libraries, towers, townhouses, inverted pyramids, and arenas. Designed by Rio Jiunyu Chen, the series transforms familiar urban structures into modular lighting fixtures, resulting in a city block-like arrangement when assembled. This design approach creates a captivating interplay of light and shadow, echoing the rhythms and dynamism of metropolitan life.

Each lamp in the Blocks collection features minimalist geometry paired with textured surfaces, reflecting Chen’s personal journey of relocation between Taiwan, Chicago, and New York. The lamps symbolize the tension between permanence and transience, capturing how objects and spaces gather meaning over time. The integration of wood grain textures, achieved through Chen’s printmaking technique, transfers organic patterns onto mulberry paper lamp shades, reinforcing the theme of time and material memory.

The realization of Blocks Lamps involves a meticulous process where architectural forms are distilled into intimate, modular objects. Constructed from white oak, steel, and mulberry paper, the lamps blur the boundaries between furniture and urban design. The wood grain-imprinted shades not only add visual interest but also serve as a metaphor for the passage of time, making each lamp a unique reflection of its inspiration.

Functionally, the lamps are designed to be assembled together, forming a cohesive cityscape that enhances any interior with a dynamic play of illumination. The modularity allows users to arrange the lamps in various configurations, creating personalized landscapes of light and shadow. This interactive aspect invites reflection on how built environments and personal belongings shape emotional connections and perceptions of space.

Blocks Lamps stands as a testament to design-driven research, exploring the intersection of architecture, memory, and movement. The project challenges conventional notions of value and belonging, suggesting that even simple geometric forms—like cubes and blocks—can profoundly influence the way individuals experience place and identity. Awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2025, Blocks Lamps exemplifies innovation, practicality, and the integration of best industry practices in lighting design.

By bridging the worlds of architecture and object design, Blocks Lamps offers a fresh perspective on how lighting can embody the stories of cities and the passage of time, inviting users to engage with their environments in meaningful, imaginative ways.