Product news: these floor lamps by New Zealand studio Tim Webber Design have shades almost identical to their bases.
Tim Webber Design designed and produced the powder-coated spun aluminium lamps, which have bases and shades formed from similar conical shapes.
The thin aluminium stem is kinked in the middle so the shade sits over the centre of the base and the pastel blue or black shades stay balanced.
To switch the lamps on and off, a dome of American ash wood at the back of the shade is rotated left or right. The stem and shade can be swivelled together to change the direction of the light source.
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Photographs are by Simeon Patience.
Tim Webber Design sent us the following text:
The Switch Floor Light was designed by Tim Webber and based on the notion of balance and symmetry. I wanted to create a product where all the components felt balanced, proportioned and poised in an effortless, elegant fashion.
The simple geometric shapes of the light shade and base share a similar form to directly relate to each other and create a sense of overall symmetry, but not exactly the same to ensure the lamp kept its proportional balance. The 'kink' in the vertical stand allows the top light shade to sit centred and neutral over the base.
The shade position is fixed, however the vertical stand and shade spin together from a bearing constructed swivel concealed within the base. This allows the user to twist the lamp and change the direction of the light to suit the situation.
Located at the back of the shade is a domed American Ash wood turned component. This acts as the on/off switch and functions by rotating it left and right. This feature is very important to the overall aesthetic of the floor lamp as the dome form starkly contrasts against the straight angular edges of the rest of the lamp, as well as the materiality of the wood contrasting with the powder-coated aluminium. The small use of timber brings a warmth and softness to the entirety of the piece.
The Switch Lamp has been a finalist in the 2013 New Zealand HOME product design awards.