Gravity Lamp

The Gravity Lamp and Gravity Turntable represent a humble beginning in a new direction—a step beyond the utilitarian solutions exemplified by the gravity batteries. Consumers have been programmed for sleek, seamless products far too long to accept the raw (non-designed) DIY style overnight. The aim was to play to design’s current fascination with the superlative object—by attempting such an object, but using only material elements found on our small remote island.

We began with designing a Gravity Lamp; in this case the falling mass, cast in concrete using local black volcanic sand, doubles as the source of light. The tall wooden structure, necessary to extend the duration of the fall (and hence available light) was constructed from acacia, logged in the cool rainy hills near our institute. Everything was prototyped in our workshop through several iterations until functionally proficient and aesthetically acceptable.