The Monolith Lamp
2024
A lamp that behaves like a machine: light controlled through movement.
the monolith is a mysterious, rectangular structure that appears at significant points in human evolution, such as prehistoric Earth and on the moon.
Its exact meaning is left ambiguous, but it’s often interpreted as a catalyst for evolutionary leaps or as a symbol of higher intelligence guiding humanity’s development.
This project explores the idea of creating a lamp that does not immediately look like a lamp, transforming a mechanical system into a lighting object.
The design draws inspiration from industrial machinery, where functional components such as belts, pulleys, and tension systems become part of the visual language. Instead of hiding the mechanism, the structure celebrates it: a bright orange belt becomes the central element, carrying the light vertically through the body of the object. The lighting system is based on a movable belt mechanism that can slide up and down along the structure, functioning similarly to a manual mechanical crank system. By adjusting the belt’s position, the user can change the height and distribution of light, allowing the lamp to interact dynamically with the surrounding space.
The entire object was designed and fabricated by hand, including:
- electrical wiring and assembly
- design and 3D printing of the black lamp supports
-
casting and finishing of the concrete base, providing both stability and an industrial character
- mechanical assembly of the belt system
The contrast between the industrial orange belt, the matte black 3D printed components, and the raw concrete base reinforces the mechanical identity of the object.
The result is a piece that sits between lighting design and mechanical sculpture, where the movement of the system becomes an integral part of the lighting experience.