Nendo's 3D-moulded light shades use traditional washi paper
Japanese studio Nendo has teamed up with a traditional Japanese paper moulding specialist to create a collection of pendant light shades with a coloured exterior and reflective interior (+ slideshow).
The studio led by designer Oki Sato worked with paper company Taniguchi Aoya Washi to create the Bi-color Washi shades using washi – a type of fibrous paper made using an elaborate process involving mulberry pulp and water.
According to Nendo, the company is the only domestic washi producer to create three-dimensional forms during the manufacturing process, rather than afterwards.
"Rather than pasting sheets of washi together to create forms, the company uses the same process to create beautiful seamless forms that are three-dimensional from the start," said the design team.
This process allowed Nendo to create a lamp with a colourful exterior surface and an interior designed to reflect light.
"After experimenting with dyeing the forms in two steps as they were being shaped, we realised that we could create a lampshade whose exterior and interior surfaces are different colours," they explained. "This was a first for washi lightshades".
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Nendo previously worked with Taniguchi Aoya Washi to create a series of delicate lamps with wrinkled tops. This latest collection can be stacked to keep distribution and storage costs to a minimum.
The shade is available in white, pink and blue.