Aoi.
pleated table lamp
2023
A lighting project based on material exploration and pleating techniques: How does the pleating of fabric manipulate light to enhance the patterned contrast between light and shadow?
Aoi: the Pleated Table Lamp
The Aoi Light is an explorational study of fabric manipulation, specifically pleating techniques, in which the layering of material creates an interplay of light and shadow to showcase the intricately fabricated patterns. This light fixture takes into consideration the form of traditional Japanese lanterns and framing techniques, bridging the gap between classic and modern design.
01 Material Exploration
Cotton muslin is used as a prototyping fabric to experiment with various pleating methods. The light passing through the fabric can be controlled through the proximity, thicknesses, and curves of the pleats.
02 Form Exploration
The muslin explorations are then treated from patterned surfaces into 3D structures to explore possibilities in shape and form. It is found that pleating is most successful when fabricated on smaller surfaces, which can later be joined and connected into units to form larger 3D shapes.
03 Fabrication: The Shade
Upon creating the same pleats in varying types of fabrics, it can be seen that each material’s unique sheerness and stiffness results in a different-looking pleat. The knitting of cotton is less sparse than linen, and hence shows the patterned pleats with clearer definition. Furthermore, the sheerer fabric allows more light through which creates a more drastic contrast between light and shadow. As a result of the previous conclusions, the blue cotton fabric was chosen for the final product.
linen
cotton
muslin
The image displays units sewn together to form a large fabric light shade. It is then joined at the ends to form an icositetragon– a twenty-four-sided polyhedron.
The colour blue is chosen due to its contrast with light’s warm yellow glow, mirroring the differentiation found between light and shadow.
04 Fabrication: Inner Structure
Due to fabric’s soft nature, it requires a frame to remain taught in its shape. The fabric contruction is stretched over its wire counterpart, which is then laid onto the feetwith an inner supporting structure for the bulb.
05 Final Prodict: AOI
