Revolutionizing Time and Light: The Reverse Sunclock

ADD Architecture Studio's Award-Winning Multifunctional Wall Lamp

The Reverse Sunclock is a harmonious fusion of a clock and a lamp in a single object. As time passes, a discus gradually lights off in parts corresponding to the segmentation of a clock. Half translucent fiberglass, half golden like brise soleil, the discus rotates to meet the different needs of direct and indirect light during the day, while always indicating the time. A slimmer discus, half mirror, half brass, behind the main one accentuates or diffuses the light.

The design was born from the observation of sun clocks, where shadow and light unite to produce the notion of time. The game between light and shadow applied onto a reverse sun clock half fiberglass half brass gives birth to a hybrid product, a ying yang existence of time and light.

The lamp is constructed from a brass wreath holding the fiberglass and the brass brise soleil semicircles. LED strips are placed between two pieces of fiberglass, held apart by the wreath. Another LED strip covered with plexiglass is placed behind the brass bars of the lower semicircle. The timer and adapters enclosed in the brass back base offer signal and power for the lighting on, off and rotation of the lamp.

The 6 segments of fiberglass of the upper half discus gradually light off from 9am till 3pm and then the discus rotates 180 degrees. The same process occurs from 4pm to 9pm and repeats itself every 6 hours. Light and shadow change according to time, offering a spectacle to the observer. The rotation is set off through a hidden timer connected to two also hidden power adapters inside the lamp's back base.

The project started in September 2018 in Athens and finished in February 2019. The design challenge was to subtly combine the concepts of time and light into a multi-functional object with character and unique form. The result is a product that brings together two ever existent notions, that of time and light, in a visually striking and functional design.

ADD Architecture Studio's Reverse Sunclock is a testament to the studio's ability to re-evaluate the core of forms and notions to give birth to new and exciting ideas. The design is a continuation of their exploration of the concept of reverse-ness, turning realities upside down to create a consistent line from the past to the future.