Apple HomePod Mini featuring a seamless knitted spacer textile speaker cover and injection moulded transparent plastic touch panel. In the development of the HomePod, a tubular spacer textile construction was developed to remove the need for an unsightly seam. Spacer textile is a highly breathable warp-knitted fabric consisting of two faces connected with filaments in the middle. The mesh acts as both an acoustically transparent cover for the speaker and cushion to protect the electronics within.
A demonstrator by Kurz to show off their wood-effect polyester foil hot stamped onto acrylic sheet, which is backlit with integrated tough sensor. A black mask is printed on the reverse side of the semi-transparent foil, which helps control the lighting effect. This kind of technology is used in appliances as well as automotive applications. In car interior applications, where head impact is a risk, polycarbonate (PC) is preferred over acrylic (PMMA).
A glass lampshade, vacuum deposition coated to produce a semi-transparent gold colour - like a one-way mirror the thin film coating can only be seen through when brighter on the other side, such as with the bulb illuminated.
Flex Tube from Studio About by Mikkel Lang Mikkelsen features an LED light in a silicone rubber tube that can be bent and draped. It is waterproof and so can be used outdoors.
Le Klint 101, also known as the fruit lamp, by Kaare Klint, 1944. It was recreated as an XL version in 2007. The lamp has a brushed steel suspension and pleated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foil shade.
EVBox's new Livo electric vehicle charging wallbox is made with Makrolon RE polycarbonate (PC) from Covestro. Makrolon RE is produced proportionately from biowaste and residual materials, partly using renewable electricity, and therefore has a relatively lower carbon footprint. Image EVBox.
Utzon JU1 pendant light, by Jørn Utzon for &Tradition, 1947, produced by a combination of deep drawing and metal spinning. This example is in brass, lacquered to maintain the bright gold finish.
Die casting in Zamak 5 by Matthies Druckguss (Germany). The three-piece bayonet XT-A is a heat sink for an LED light. Image Matthies Druckguss (Germany).
Stardust particle, by Olafur Eliasson, 2014, is a hanging sculpture made up of a stainless steel structure and thin, partially reflective, vacuum-coated filter glass.
DEE Glass Pendant by Bønnelycke MDD for Nordlux, 2016, features a blown glass shade, etched (frosted) to diffuse the light and conceal the light source.
Nelson Bubble Lamp, by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1952, formed by spraying a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mixed with a webbing agent (which causes the PVC to form filaments) onto a steel wire frame, and finished with a layer of pure PVC spray coating
Lightfalls by Todd Bracher Studio for 3M. A moulded acrylic light reflector covers a single LED bulb. To create the coloured effects, 3M dichroic film (vacuum deposition coated polyester film) is placed over the light source. Image Todd Bracher Studio.
Lightfalls by Todd Bracher Studio for 3M. A moulded acrylic light reflector covers a single LED bulb. The light is scattered by a highly reflective (98%) 3M vacuum deposition coated film placed onto the acrylic shade. Image Todd Bracher Studio.
Beamshaper linear diffuser produced by PyraSied in clear extruded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, reflects and conceals the light source. It has a precise triangular linear structure - featuring peaks with a 90º profile - which means it reflects light perpendicular to the surface. As well as being utilised in novel diffusers, it is used for solar protection (to reflect sunlight).
Gweilo light sculpture, by Partisans for Parachilna, is made by hot forming etched acrylic sheets by hand. The light is transmitted through the sheet from one edge, and emits as a glow from the cut grooves and edges due to phenomenon known as edge glow, or lit edge.
Alphabet of light system, designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) for Artemide, features white-diffused extruded acrylic tubes in various shapes that can be joined together
Paper Cube lamp, by Bertjan Pot for Hay, consists of stitched sheets of plastic made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, bottles
Miss K table lamp, by Philippe Starck for Flos, 2003, featuring an injection moulded transparent polycarbonate (PC) diffuser, metallised with aluminium to create a reflective finish that is thin enough to become see-through when backlit
The translucent membrane spanning the ceiling at Heathrow Terminal 2, UK, by Luis Vidal Architects, completed 2014, is made from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) produced by Taiyo Europe (evening LED back-lighting). A membrane like this is much lighter and consumes significantly less material than a solid ceiling structure.
The translucent membrane spanning the ceiling at Heathrow Terminal 2, UK, by Luis Vidal Architects, completed 2014, is made from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) produced by Taiyo Europe (daylight). A membrane like this is much lighter and consumes significantly less material than a solid ceiling structure.
Stellar Nebula light, designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) for Artemide, features a handblown crystal glass diffuser, with a PVD (physical vapour deposition) coating to create interference colour
The Sapphire Light, by Paul Cocksedge for The Bombay Sapphire Foundation, 2004, features a hand blown crystal glass filled with tonic water - the quinine glowing in the UV light.
Beat lamp, by Tom Dixon, is made from brass. Handmade by craftsmen of Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh district, India), the shade is spun into shape, and the interior is hammered to strengthens the material, hide defects and create a surface pattern. In this example the outside is patinated black and the inside lacquered
PH Artichoke light, by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1958, features a diffuser made from 72 laser cut and brushed copper "leaves", coated and lacquered.
Nelson Bubble Lamp, by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1952, formed by spraying a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mixed with a webbing agent (which causes the PVC to form filaments) onto a steel wire frame, and finished with a layer of pure PVC spray coating
Discover lighting system, designed by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, 2015, features an etched acrylic diffuser housed in an aluminium profile. The light interacts with the micro-incisions on the surface of the acrylic, creating an edge glow (or lit edge) effect.
Titania light, by Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto for Luceplan, 1989, produced from laser cut sheets of anodised aluminium. The colour comes from filters over the light source
PH 5 light, by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1958, features a pressed aluminium diffuser, painted matte white to produce a uniform light, and frosted glass
PH Snowball light, by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1958, features a pressed aluminium diffuser with matte painted undersurfaces and glossy top surfaces to reflect the diffused light
Spot Material is a database of materials for sustainable design, curated by Rob Thompson. Compare properties, carbon and end of life, find better alternatives and discover new material innovations. Browse all materials
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