Interview about Grampo Lamp, winner of the A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award 2024
The Grampo Lamp makes use of brazilian wood fibers' natural flexibility, enabling it to bend, clip, or detach the light spot, converting it into a battery-powered flashlight that recharges while clipped in the stand. This design showcases the material's inherent characteristics and a commitment to sustainable sourcing. This project combines traditional woodworking with advanced manufacturing, including 3D printing. Grampo Lamp is inspired by the rich tradition of Brazilian wood design, yet it integrates functionalities that are only available in contemporary times.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe integration of Brazilian wood fibers in the Grampo Lamp is grounded in an appreciation of both tradition and innovation. Brazilian wood has an inherent flexibility and strength, and working with it allowed me to explore how its natural properties could be enhanced through modern technologies. This union between materiality and technology grew organically, starting from a desire to showcase wood's adaptability. I wanted to highlight its versatility, not just as a static material but as something capable of interaction and transformation. This balance of traditional woodworking and contemporary techniques, like 3D printing for parts, came naturally, resulting in a product that embodies both Brazilian heritage and forward-thinking design.
The idea of transforming the Grampo Lamp from a stationary fixture to a portable flashlight stemmed from a desire to create a light source that could adapt to the user's changing needs. I imagined a piece that wouldn’t just exist in one place but could accompany its owner, offering both function and form. Modern lighting should meet us where we are, physically and conceptually. This adaptability reflects my vision of lighting that is as dynamic as life itself. By making it portable and rechargeable, the lamp becomes not just a source of light but a companion, a functional piece that aligns with contemporary, mobile lifestyles.
Using sustainably sourced Brazilian wood was fundamental to the Grampo Lamp. I wanted the design to celebrate the material's origins and beauty while respecting the ecosystem it comes from. The lamp’s form and functionality accentuate the wood's natural flexibility and warmth. By embracing its texture and color, the design pays homage to Brazilian wood. At the same time, the sustainable sourcing underscores a commitment to preserving these forests. The Grampo Lamp is both an aesthetic and ethical statement, showing how traditional materials can be used responsibly in a way that harmonizes with modern environmental concerns.
The journey to harmonize wood flexibility with the Grampo Lamp's internal wiring was, indeed, a challenge. Initially, finding a way to maintain structural integrity while allowing the wood to bend and carry wiring was daunting. After much prototyping, I settled on a flexible, durable internal casing for the wires, allowing for both movement and connectivity. This internal structure is complemented by the wood's natural flexibility. Balancing these elements required fine-tuning materials and testing, but the result is an elegant solution that aligns with the lamp's design language and functionality.
My family's carpentry background has deeply shaped my approach to design. This heritage brings an inherent respect for wood as a material, an appreciation for its grain, and an understanding of its natural characteristics. With the Grampo Lamp, I aimed to merge this tradition with modern technology, such as 3D printing, which allowed precise, efficient production of smaller parts. This mix of heritage and technology is how I carry forward my family’s legacy, blending skilled craftsmanship with innovation to create something familiar yet distinctly contemporary.
The Grampo Lamp’s touch-sensitive control and wireless energy transmission were not just technical innovations; they reshaped the entire design concept. These advancements added multifunctionality and streamlined the user experience, making interaction with the lamp intuitive and seamless. More than that, these features influenced the overall visual language of the piece, guiding me to refine its form and aesthetics to match the sleek, integrated technology. The technical elements became part of the lamp’s identity, transforming it into a cohesive blend of functionality and artistic expression.
The Grampo Lamp began as a solution for exhibition lighting, designed to spotlight artwork in an understated way. As it evolved, I began exploring ways it could adapt to other environments while retaining its original charm. This evolution reflects my philosophy of versatility in design — creating objects that serve multiple purposes without compromising aesthetic value. As the design developed, I became increasingly focused on making it adaptable, intuitive, and expressive, ultimately resulting in a lamp that aligns with my vision of design as functional art.
Balancing homage to modern Brazilian designers while pushing boundaries was a careful dance of tradition and novelty. I looked to figures like Sérgio Rodrigues and Joaquim Tenreiro for inspiration, focusing on their ethos of design rooted in materiality and function. By integrating contemporary functionality, like portability and adaptability, I aimed to evolve their legacy rather than replicate it. This balance honors Brazil’s design heritage while asserting a modern, innovative vision that reflects today’s diverse demands on a lighting fixture.
Winning the Gold A' Design Award was a validation of the Grampo Lamp's potential to impact sustainable lighting design. I envision it encouraging a resurgence of interest in Brazilian wood, demonstrating how this material can be both traditional and avant-garde. I hope the Grampo Lamp becomes a reference point, inspiring future designers to innovate sustainably, particularly by using local materials thoughtfully and creatively. It’s a reminder that sustainable practices can yield designs as beautiful and functional as they are responsible.
Designing the Grampo Lamp for indoor and outdoor settings was essential to its versatility. Each use case informed choices like the lamp's durability, weight, and recharging capabilities. By envisioning these different environments, I created a product adaptable enough for both, yet retaining a consistent aesthetic that appeals across settings. This dual-purpose design embodies my philosophy of lighting that can flow with the user’s needs, wherever they may be.
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