Bow Rama

Press Kit

Unique Properties

A lamp made of bent natural ash wood. Its shape seems to be a simple wooden bow, but it conceals an LED light rail that only becomes visible when the integrated touch switch is pressed. Thanks to an equally invisible magnet, it adheres beautifully to any iron surface or dedicated support, but can also - according to the modular principle - be transformed into a multi-part floor or pendant luminaire.

Dimensions & Packaging

The dimmable LED railing integrated in the lamp emit a power of 6W (equivalent of a 40 watt standard bulb) optimal output for a reading lamp. Its width is 55 mm, length 500 mm (excluding connectors and support), thickness 13 mm.

Tags

Modular lamp, Magnetic lamp, Wooden lamp, LED lamp, Bow lamp, Minimal lamp, Magic lamp

Production Technology

The lamp body is realized through lamination, thin 1 mm previously cut ash wood slices are pressed and glued in a mold.

Design Challenge

I wanted to push the material to the limit to acknowledge its properties and get the best performance, that took long time and tries until it all worked out. To determine the right kind of wood, the thickness and amount of the layers, the distance between the LEDs and find a proper light diffusion I built in total 24 prototypes. The biggest challenge was definitely finding the appropriate electrical components and achieve the right magnetic force to make it stand in any condition.

Research

A practical research, the words: minimal, natural, light weight, summarize its objectives. After sketching I started testing materials. Every step has been recorded with notes and drawings while working in a workshop through wood processing tools. The experimentation allowed me to find the right thickness of the skin layer of wood, the right light intensity and the way the light should spread. The result was a surprising efficiency, a completely new design solution and a promising market entry.

Inspiration

The idea of bending wood myself was always appealing, when I started experimenting with the first pieces, the concept of this lamp started being every day more clear. I wanted to get to the feeling of a natural and soft shape hiding its function, a sculpture with a plus. Each step of the development was strictly connected to experiencing and discover the properties of the material I was working with to reach my goal.

Project Duration

I developed this project in my Berlin atelier, the first experimentation were made in 2017, a full functioning prototype was finished in 2019. The lamp was exhibited in April 2019 at Fuorisalone in Milano and in September 2019 at the London Design Fair.

Operation Flow

The most common reaction when people interact with this lamp is: „Oh wow, that's magic!“ The way it operates is generating amazement as anyone could imagine a light can come out of an „apparently“ solid wooden shape, it actually looks like just a sculpture when is off. Moreover the integrated touch switch emphasize this magic feeling, delivering to the user a full emotional experience.

Patents

Patented. No. DM/207392. Davide Mezzasalma. 2019. European Union

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Liron Leibu, Bow lamp, 2019.
Image #2: Photographer Liron Leibu, Bow lamp, 2019.
Image #3: Photographer Davide Mezzasalma, Bow lamp, 2020.
Image #4: Photographer Liron Leibu, Bow lamp, 2019.
Image #5: Photographer Davide Mezzasalma, Bow lamp, 2020.