Capsule Collection Volume 01 Collectio Luminum

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Consistent with the Astro creative ethos, that good design demands simplicity, the io Pendant, Halftone and Orb transcend seasons and trends being functional yet beautiful, with each design unique from the materials selected through to the individual challenges that had to be overcome. The Capsule collection provided the platform to liberate our creative process and reinforce Astro’s design led approach. It honors the DNA of core Astro product, but with a confidence to hold their own in any space. Each are bold and visually strong, with a delicacy that quietly compliments a design scheme.

Dimensions & Packaging

io PENDANT
Lamp : 20.2W Integral LED
Input : Integral driver
IP: IP20
Lumens :2328
Colour temp:3000K
CRI:80
Dimmable: Yes
Material: Zinc/Clear Glass
Size:H.2113 max W.1000 D.92mm

HALFTONE
Lamp : 7.5W Integral LED
Input : Integral driver
IP: IP20
Lumens :171
Colour temp: 2700K
CRI:80
Dimmable: No
Material: Mild Steel/Acrylic
Size:Ø.400 D.97mm

ORB
Lamp : 3.5W max G9 LED (excl.)
IP: IP44
Dimmable: Yes
Material: Aluminium / Opal Glass
Size:H.434 W.210 D.92mm

Tags

Lighting, Designer Lighting, Statement Lighting, Hospitality Design

Production Technology

Astro products need to operate effortlessly so one does not even consider the engineering solution that lies at the heart of it. This is true with the Orb where the moving parts are robust yet offer a sense of lightness, masking a complex engineering solution behind its simplicity. Using gravity-fed extrusion, the io Pendant takes a circular 2D design and extrudes the glass downwards to create a perfectly ribbed cylindrical form. The components are discreetly hidden so the glass plays the lead, subtly reflecting and refracting the light. Halftone, focuses on the simple form of a circle with a subtle pattern gradient beginning from the outer edge, increasing with intensity to create a vivid ring of light. The transparency of the acrylic allows the wall to still be visible, both when the light is switched on or off.

Design Challenge

Astro products have always been guided by our creative ethos that 'good design demands simplicity' and our collections aren’t dictated by trends. They are rooted firmly in the now, but with a timeless quality that avoids the vagaries of fashion. Our goal is to create products that withstand the test of time, not to be frequently replaced and we take care to refine and consider each element, so product blends seamlessly with any space for many years to come. The engineering of each product must be of the highest standard. We ensure only essential components are included, without compromising on the design aesthetic.

Research

James Bassant: “Mechanical machines have always fascinated me; gears, cogs, chains and their interactions in analogue mechanical devices. My love of lights and my fascination with Orreries obsessed me to design the Orb, an orb of light at its centre about which a planet mirror orbits… For years I kept coming back and refining the design to capture the essence of an Orrery in a functional light, the Orb.
Riley Sanders: “The io Pendant light takes inspiration from the fluted detailing of the ancient Greek Ionic pillars. Using the unique production process of gravity-fed glass extrusion, the io Pendant takes a circular 2D design and extrudes the glass downwards to create a perfectly ribbed cylindrical form. I wanted the glass to be the hero of the product, so we stripped all unnecessary components to keep it as simple and minimal as possible, allowing light to subtly reflect and refract off the glass.
The concept for the Halftone also began as a basic pencil to paper sketch, focusing on the simple form of a circle. I then started to look at how incorporating an intricate pattern could be used to bring translucent, clear acrylic to life. We experimented with different processes, settling on the precision that laser etching achieves.”

Inspiration

Capsule collection volume 01 presents a unique trio of luminaires that extend far beyond their function. Created by cofounder James Bassant and senior designer Riley Sanders, each design started as pencil sketch, taking inspiration from the world around us. Inspired by the mechanical perfection of an orrery, the Orb wall light presents an illuminated spherical ball, with a fully adjustable and magnifying mirror that orbits around the luminaire at its centre, whereas io Pendant takes inspiration from the fluted detailing of the ancient Greek ionic pillars. A fusion between art, technology and science, the Halftone wall light focuses on the simple form of a circle with an intricate pattern delicately etched on translucent acrylic.

Project Duration

The project began in 2019 at Astro Headquarters in Harlow, Essex. The collection was complete and launched in UK and Europe in the Spring of 2020

Operation Flow

Orb presents an illuminated spherical ball, with a fully adjustable and magnifying mirror that ‘orbits’ around the luminaire at its centre. Primarily designed to be positioned alongside a bathroom mirror, the Orb provides useful task lighting with an appreciable sense of design and can be partnered with the single Orb light version.

io Pendant would add a sense of drama and elegance to any space but look particularly striking in a dining setting as the pendant is dimmable and allows you to easily control the mood and create a unique lighting experience.

Halftone is ideal for a hospitality setting such as an entrance way or as a sculptural installation within a space thanks to the transparency of the acrylic material which allows the wall to still be visible, both when the light is switched on or off.

Image Credits

Astro Lighting, Capsule Collection Volume 01