EuroMold 2011 - 3D Printed Concept Lamp

3-D Printed Designs by
Van Herpen at
Amsterdam Fashion week

3-D printing is a growing force in design. Without the time and the initial  expenses of creating molds or specialized machining, designers are free to make large quantities of prototypes to tweak before arriving at a final sublime design choice. This winner of the Euromold 2011 exhibit; a simultaneously modern and organic lamp, is an example of that ability to keep editing and re-editing, combined with the inherent properties of this new medium.   Although the majority of 3-D printing is currently in some form of plastic-like polymer, there will soon be printers more widely available to print in metals and other substances.  Recently there have been 3D-produced fabrics and more architectural elements appearing in high fashion runway collections.  As runway fashion is often an early indicator of trends that will soon mainstream in interior design, this bears keeping a close eye on. 

This is an interesting development for design in a broader sense.  With the home desktop 3-D printer market currently being tested for large scale distribution in Europe, can it be long before the average consumer will be able to design and print their own consumer goods? If so, this may point to a trend in customization on a scale that was unheard of in the past.  Perhaps in the not too distant future, brides will not only register for household, but expect to put their own design touches on them.

In an anther example of 3-D copying  applied to lighting, Freedom of Creation posted this press release on its web page: Freedom Of Creation has developed a custom version of the Palm Chandelier on request of the Staffan Tollgard Design Group. The prestigious interior design studio has commissioned this impressive chandelier to illuminate the spacious rooms of a London private house. Decorated stucco ceilings are perfectly harmonized with the near uncountable, delicate petals of Palm Chandelier, in a brilliant stylistic choice.

Equipped with 91 Palm shades and 5 Watt halogen bulbs, the chandelier is a real eye-catcher and is designed to light up large interior spaces. Light floods through and around every petal. Each shade, produced in polyamide with the latest 3D printing technology, recalls the beauty of nature’s foliage, and diffuses soft filtered light contributing to the exclusive atmosphere of the house. The metal frame has a special gunmetal finish. The Palm Chandelier outside diameter is 160 cm.

The bespoke Chandelier has a special gunmetal finish. Prices and technical details are available on request by sending an e-mail to bram@freedomofcreation.com