FACET STUDIO BLOG: Higasa

Showing posts with label Higasa. Show all posts

8 January 2014

Higasa lamp on Designboom!

Our project Higasa lamp has been published on Designboom!

I have to make a special mention about the opening sentence:

The umbrella is a portable shelter

I like how it is straight to the point and pretty much summarises a large portion of the design intent. Because it is a peculiar kind of thing to do, hanging umbrellas indoor where it does not rain. But there are qualities of an umbrella - one made with Washi paper, and huge - which is beyond weather protection, which is what attracted and inspired us. The sense of protection, light filtering quality of the material, delicacy of the structure, intimacy between individuals when sharing an umbrella... these are irrelevant of good or bad weather.

The umbrella strangely shares what "space-making" characteristic with the warmth of light; by combining the two, pockets of spaces are created instantly. The combined coziness has a magical, calming effect on people.

Original article on Designboom HERE
Official page on Higasa lamp with more pictures HERE
Find out about behind the scene HERE
Other Facet Studio projects covered by Designboom HERE

founded in 1999, designboom is the world’s first and most popular digital architecture and design magazine.
TIME magazine chose designboom as one of the top 100 design influencers in the world, one of just eight online publications to be so named. in 2011, the french magazine architectural digest called designboom one of the top ‘les 100 qui comptent’ (‘people who count‘) in the design world… from the forefront of contemporary culture and global lifestyle.

23 August 2013

End of the mystery is....

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Following on from the last post this is what happened after the umbrella "comes to life"...

people suddenly gravitate towards the warms emitted by the light...

complicated shadows adds to the sense of space

Now there is a story behind this.

In Japan, traditional umbrellas are made of coated Japanese paper (washi), its structure out of a single log of bamboo, sliced into fine "bones". It is an intricate art form, past down through generations over hundreds of years. Unfortunately like many other traditional crafts slowly replaced by their modern reinventions, the traditional umbrella making is of no exception - there is now only 1 traditional umbrella maker remaining in Kyoto, Japan. In order to survive, the umbrella maker Hiyoshiya ventured into other fields, and started developing their own range of light fittings based on the skills of umbrella making.

It was by chance that this collaboration between Facet Studio and Hiyoshiya happened.
We were contemplating on how to create cosy atmosphere in a large irregular lobby, and when we saw the bones of the umbrella we decided to put the focus on the beauty of this traditional craft in its most recognisable form.

Each Higasa lamp is 1.6m in diameter, the longest a straight log of bamboo can be sourced. We tested extensively on how we should expose the bones without deviating from the umbrella reference.... the way the washi is gapped and alternating on either side of the bones is to:
1. ensure the compactness when the lamp is in retracted condition - this affects transportability
2. provide screening to light source in preventing glare
3. provide a backdrop for shadows of the bones to be casted upon

The hardest reality being running electrical cables into the bones....and locating the light source in a certain location to ensure the shadows are cast the way we want (but of course I am not going to tell you how....). None of this is to be visible..... and again nothing is accidental.

Higasa lamp is a light fitting designed by Facet Studio.