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Airom Торшер by Hiroto Nakamura

Airom Торшер by Hiroto Nakamura is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Бронзова нагорода A' Design Award in Освітлення Competition Category.


БронзаОсвітлення· 2026

Airom Торшер

by Hiroto Nakamura

Client: H!roto_Factory

Бронзова нагорода A' Design Award Winner in Освітлення Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Airom Торшер

Airom — це окремо розташований торшер для приміщень, у якому повітря виступає активним формотворчим елементом. Абажур виготовлено з кальки, і він набуває своєї форми лише при наповненні повітрям. Папір зім'ято для створення дрібних зморшок, які надають глибини та м'якості випромінюваному світлу. Деталі вирізані лазером і з'єднані двома видами клею для додаткової міцності, а форми не використовуються, тому кожен виріб є унікальним. Під час встановлення об'єм повітря регулюється, а абажуру надається форма вручну. Конструкція легка і складається пласко для компактного пакування.

The Recognition

About the Бронзова нагорода A' Design Award

Airom Торшер є переможцем Бронзової нагороди A' Design Award — надзвичайно престижного визнання, що присуджується видатним дизайнам, які вирізняються креативністю, винахідливістю та кмітливістю. Переможці Бронзової нагороди — це вкрай вправні та вражаюче креативні артефакти, що засвідчують великий досвід, уяву та знахідливість своїх дизайнерів. Очікується, що Airom Торшер буде високо цінованим, улюбленим і обожнюваним об'єктом, помітно професійним та інноваційним. Цей дизайн-переможець Бронзової нагороди A' Design Award втілює найкращі практики в мистецтві, науці, дизайні й технологіях і чудовий своєю увагою до деталей. Airom Торшер чудово задовольняє потреби, торкається бажань, зачаровує почуття та привертає цікавість.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Airom is a lighting product that treats air not as a passive volume but as an active element that gently shapes form. Made of tracing paper the shade gains its shape only when filled with air letting light softly reveal a temporary and changeable state. Formed without molds each unit is inherently unique. Subtle wrinkles in the material give depth and softness to the light while the act of shaping becomes part of the lighting experience.
Dimensions & Packaging
Airom is an indoor freestanding lighting product composed of tracing paper adhesive and an integrated LED module powered by AC 100V. Its air shaped form creates a soft irregular volume rather than a fixed geometry. Airom is available in three sizes Small W 600mm x D 600mm x H 1000 mm. Medium W 800mm x D 800mm x H 1700 mm. Large W 1000 mm x D 1000mm x H 2000 mm. The structure is lightweight and foldable for compact packaging. Laser cut parts and dual adhesives ensure precision strength and flexibility while a low heat LED enables safe operation.
Tags
Lamp, Lighting, Light fixture, Paper, Paper Balloon,
Production Technology
Airom uses tracing paper as its primary material for its balance of flexibility and soft light diffusion. The paper is first crumpled to create fine wrinkles that add depth and subtle variation to the emitted light. Parts are precisely cut using a laser cutting machine to ensure repeatable accuracy suitable for production. Two types of adhesive are applied to enhance structural strength. The shade is formed without molds by inflating air enabling a lightweight structure adaptable to variation and production.
Design Challenge
The main challenge was translating air an invisible and unstable element into a controllable factor within a lighting product. Internally this required redefining the structure of traditional Japanese paper balloons as functional design logic. Externally challenges included material strength safety with an AC 100V light source and mold free production. These issues were addressed through material testing and iterative prototyping.
Research
This design research explores air as a formative element in lighting. The objective was to redefine air from an invisible condition into a controllable design parameter. Based on the structure of traditional Japanese paper balloons material experiments and iterative prototyping were conducted using tracing paper and internal light. User interaction determines form and light quality shifting lighting from a fixed object to a participatory spatial experience.
Inspiration
We were inspired by clouds seen in Okinawa natural environment. Shaped by strong sunlight humidity and the surrounding sea clouds continuously change form while remaining suspended in the sky existing without clear outlines. To reinterpret this quality as lighting we focused on traditional Japanese paper balloons whose shape exists only through air and can be freely formed by hand. By combining these elements airom allows air to be perceived through light.
Project Duration
The project started in April 2025 and was completed in January 2026. Design development and prototyping were carried out in Okinawa, Japan. The project has not yet been exhibited.
Operation Flow
Airom is completed through user interaction. During setup the user introduces air into the shade and shapes it by hand. The final form depends on air volume and gestures making each configuration unique. Even during use the form can be adjusted by changing the air volume allowing the lighting atmosphere to evolve over time.
Image Credits
Image #1: Creator / Designer [Hiroto Nakamura], Airom, 2026.
Image #2: Creator / Designer [Hiroto Nakamura], Airom, 2026.
Image #3: Creator / Designer [Hiroto Nakamura], Airom, 2026.
Image #4: Creator / Designer [Hiroto Nakamura], Airom, 2026.
Image #5: Creator / Designer [Hiroto Nakamura], Airom, 2026.

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