NAAS LAMP

PRODUCT

This lamp is the result of more experiments with thin shell structures, this form being a paraboloid of revolution. Initial handbuilt prototypes had six legs but reducing this to five made the paper inserts more prominent, increased light emission, and reduced material. The size of the lamp was chosen so it could be used as either a table or floor lamp.

The paper sections also went through several iterations in an attempt to reduce their complexity while maintaining their tessellated curvature. The inserts are attached using small o-rings embedded in the paper which fit over pins in the legs. This allows the inserts to be removed and repaired if needed. To help light emission the support for the bulb holder was made from clear acrylic. Future iterations would remove this support, by altering the internal pentagonal rings into a five-pointed pattern this would allow more light through to the top and bottom of the shade while also supporting the bulb.

The final lamps were patially cnc cut from iroko and walnut, hand fit and finished, and treated with Danish oil and beeswax. The inserts are made from 300gsm watercolour paper. Initially developed through sketches, 1:10 scale models, and SketchUp; the final geometry was created using AutoCAD, Solidworks, and Illustrator.

The name of the lamp is "Solas na Nás" or "The Naas Light" in English. "An Nás", the Irish name for Naas means "the meeting place" in old irish, making the irish name of the lamp "The light of the meeting place".