Altera Isibani Esisebenzisanayo by Dilara Ozbent

Altera Isibani Esisebenzisanayo by Dilara Ozbent is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ukukhanyisa Competition Category.

InsimbiUkukhanyisa· 2026

Altera Isibani Esisebenzisanayo

by Dilara Ozbent

Client: Dilara Özbent

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ukukhanyisa Category

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Colors

The Design

About Altera Isibani Esisebenzisanayo

Isimo esithambile, esigelezayo futhi esicishe sibe nokukhanya kwe-marble sikhumbuza amanzi. Ngesikhathi kuhlolwa lobu budlelwano, izindonga zempophoma zavela njengogqozi. Amanzi acwebezelayo phezu kwetshe elinesakhiwo asikisela ukukhanya okudlula phakathi kwezingxenye ze-marble. Ngokubonisa isifiso somuntu sokuthinta imvelo, lo mqondo wakhula waba umklamo wesibani wesimanje othintekayo odlula ukukhanyisa nje, onikeza isipiliyoni esiguqukayo nesomuntu siqu. Ngamaphiko e-marble ajikelezayo, abasebenzisi bangakwazi ukubumba kokubili ukukhanya nesimo ngesandla. Lo mklamo uhlanganisa i-marble esikwe yaba mncane ukuze isabalalise ukukhanya, isakhiwo sethusi kanye nezisabalalisi ze-LED ezifiphele.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Altera Isibani Esisebenzisanayo iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Altera Isibani Esisebenzisanayo ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Altera Isibani Esisebenzisanayo iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Altera is an interactive lighting family that goes beyond illumination, offering a dynamic and personal experience. With rotatable marble wings, it allows users to shape both light and form by hand. By embracing diversity and individuality, it creates an emotional connection, making lighting an organic part of everyday life. With its simple design, Altera generates endless alternatives, offering a balance of function, aesthetics, and personalization while transforming spaces with ever-changing play of light and shadow.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions of the Altera lighting fixture family. Width x Depth x Height in mm:
Floor Lamp: 320 x 320 x 1385 mm.
Wall Lamp: 240 x 320 x 420 mm.
Pendant Lamp: 240 x 240 x 420 mm plus cable.
Tags: Lamp, Floor Lamp, Pendant Lamp, Wall Lamp, Lighting, Marble, Rotating Panels, Interactive, User-Centered Design, Customizable
Production Technology: The design integrates thin-cut marble for controlled light diffusion, brass for structural support, and frosted LED diffusers. CNC cutting enables precise fabrication of the marble panels, mounted to vertical profiles through custom hinge components based on two-piece shaft collars seated in milled grooves. The panels are bonded with epoxy adhesive. The modular structure allows easy assembly, disassembly, and compact packaging. Waste marble pieces could be combined for sustainable marble panels.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge in this project was developing a reliable rotating system for marble panels without the possibility of building a physical prototype. At the same time, the marble needed to be thin enough to allow light transmission while remaining durable enough to avoid damage during production and use. Balancing these structural and material constraints required extensive independent research, persistence, and iterative design decisions.
Research: This research examined the technical feasibility of a kinetic modular lighting system with rotating marble panels. It explored the material limits of marble, structural stability, and a balanced mechanism allowing panels to rotate freely yet stay in place. The study included research based on manufacturer specifications, ergonomic considerations, and rotating mechanisms. Proportion and structural balance analysis played a key role in developing a system supporting user interaction.
Inspiration: The delicate, fluid and almost translucent character of marble is often comparable to water. While exploring this relationship, waterfall walls emerged as a source of inspiration. The shimmering movement of water flowing over textured stone surfaces suggested the image of light filtering through marble elements. Humans long to touch nature, and a design they can shape and form a bond with can also touch their soul. This idea evolved into a modern, tactile lighting design that invites users to interact with the object and form a personal connection with light. With this aim, the expressive limits of marble were explored.
Project Duration: The project started in November 2023 in Verona and finished in July 2024 in Istanbul.
Operation Flow: Each wing manually rotates around its center vertically, allowing users to alter the direction, intensity, and overall composition of light according to their needs and aesthetic preferences. This adaptability transforms the fixture into a living design, constantly evolving with its user. Countless configurations are possible, making it more than just a lighting object; it becomes an extension of the space where function and emotion meet.
Image Credits: Image #1: Designer Dilara Özbent, Altera Lighting Family Render, 2024.
Image #2: Designer Dilara Özbent, Altera Lighting Family Render, 2024.
Image #3: Designer Dilara Özbent, Altera Lighting Family Render, 2024.
Image #4: Designer Dilara Özbent, Altera Lighting Family Render, 2024.
Image #5: Designer Dilara Özbent, Altera Lighting Family Render, 2024.