LUMOS
The Radiating Cage
A table lamp investigating the metamorphosis of industrial aluminium into a vessel for light — where shadow becomes the form.
LUMOS explores how industrial aluminium rods can be manually manipulated into a lighting object that projects intricate light and shadow patterns into its surroundings.
The brief was to innovate with unconventional materials through manual making — bonding, interlacing, and shaping. The project follows a "metamorphosis of material" idea where the primary form becomes a vessel for manipulating light and projecting radial shadows into the room.
The focus is not only on the physical lamp but equally on the shadows it generates — the surrounding surfaces become part of the design.
Moodboard
Radial shadow patterns, perforated surfaces, organic lattices and rhythmic linear frameworks.
Material Exploration
Copper Wire
RejectedToo structural, too rigid.
Aluminium Sheets
RejectedToo planar — blocked light excessively.
4.5 mm Aluminium Rods
SelectedTwistable, rhythmic texture, reflective, structural, light-leaking.
From sheet to line — a move from planar forms to linear structural elements.
Why 4.5 mm Aluminium
- — Can be manually twisted
- — Gains rhythmic texture after twisting
- — Breaks and diffuses light effectively
- — Reflective surface adds visual depth
- — Maintains structural integrity
- — Forms a "light-leaking cage" structure
Selected Concept
The Radiating Cage
25 hand-twisted aluminium rods arranged in a radial array. The physical object acts as a tool — the larger visual experience is produced by the projected shadows it casts onto desks and walls.
A dialogue between precision (wooden slots, controlled placement) and manual deformation (hand-twisted aluminium).
Technical Configuration
Manufacturing Process
Torsion
Manual twisting of 25 aluminium rods to a uniform spiral pitch — generating the rhythmic, light-breaking surface texture.
Refinement
Rods are buffed to a high gloss and ends are sanded flush for a clean finish and accurate fit during assembly.
Joinery
A solid wood base is crafted with 25 precision slots for friction-fit installation and accurate radial positioning.
Integration
Internal light source wired and aligned with the top cap slots — completing the cage and the lighting system.
Shadow as Form
Key Themes
Material Transformation
Industrial aluminium rods manually altered through twisting.
Light Manipulation
The form is designed specifically to modify and project light.
Shadow Generation
Shadows become a primary design outcome rather than a secondary effect.
Manual Craftsmanship
Hand twisting, finishing, and slot-based assembly throughout.
Precision + Hand-Made
Precision-cut wooden joinery meets hand-deformed aluminium elements.
Shadow as Form
The visible experience extends beyond the object into the surrounding space.