working on new generative lamp designs

We’re working on a number of different lamps designs that we hope to introduce at ICFF this May.  This lamp will be comparatively inexpensive to the ones we sell now because of it’s smaller size.  It uses a powerful single LED light fixture.  Each lamp will be unique both in overall form and in pattern.  The variable sizes of the lamps will allow for variable pricing.

Hyphae Lamps – an infinite series of lighting designs

The Hyphae Lamp is a new series of algorithmically generated lighting designs by Nervous System. Each lamp is individually grown through a process based on leaf vein formation. No two lamps are alike. Each casts a unique pattern of branching shadows on the wall and ceiling, creating an ethereal and organic atmosphere. The lamps are 3D-printed to order in nylon and illuminated with eco-friendly LED lights. The first 10 lamps in the series are now available for purchase.

GROWTH PROCESS VIDEO

video not showing up? watch it on Vimeo.com here: Hyphae Lamps. Special thanks to Graham Woolley / scion eidolon for creating the music.

INSPIRATION

The veins of leaves are intricate structures that function both to distribute resources and reinforce strength. Though it appears all vein patterns have the same overall organization and hierarchy, no two leaves have the same vein structure. Rather each leaf has its own peculiarities emerging from its unique circumstances. Across species the patterns differ drastically; they can be radial like a lilypad, parallel like a blade of grass or reticulate like a tomatillo husk. How can one mechanism explain such variety?

SCIENCE

Our Hyphae collection was inspired by scientific research into this question; how do leaf veins form? Why do they differ from leaf to leaf, plant to plant? A theory called ‘Auxin Flux Canalization’ explains venation as the result of the movement of the growth hormone auxin. A feedback mechanism makes it easier for auxin to flow where it has flowed before and cells with high levels of auxin differentiate into vein cells. Our simulation is based on the work by Adam Runions of the Algorithmic Botany group at the University of Calgary, who devised a process based on the auxin flux canalization theory.

video not showing up? watch it on Vimeo.com here: Hyphae – growth process diagram in 2D

We translated this system to 3D to generate physical objects. A technical explanation of some aspects of the system can be found here.

DESIGN

The lamps are grown in custom design software we created in C++ using CGAL and Cinder. The branching network evokes leaves, coral, and roots without precisely replicating any natural form. Each lamp starts from a base volume and a set of root points; the lamp’s structure emerges through an iterative process as the roots grow into an auxin filled environment. The system is optimized to produce designs for manufacturing by Selective Laser Sintering. They capitalize both on 3d-printing’s ability to create complex organic forms but also to create all unique products as there are no costs for tooling and no need for molds. The pieces are 3d-printed by the NYC-based service Shapeways. The 3D-printing process minimizes waste, using only the material in the final form. Each lamp is fabricated on demand.

The lamps are the latest designs to join our Hyphae collection which also includes 3d-printed jewelry designs launched earlier in the year.

ILLUMINATION

The lamps are lit by a set of 3 Cree LEDs, using a total of only 3.6W of electricity. The estimated lifetime of the light is over 50,000 hours or almost 6 years of continuous use.

come see us at ICFF booths 1451 and 1266!

If you are in NYC, please come visit us at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Javits Center. We will debut our first one of a kind housewares product, the Hyphae Lamp. We have two on display and every lamp in the series will be a one of a kind design grown individually in our 3D leaf venation simulation.

We will also show our Reaction Lamp collection including a new larger Seed Lamp (top photos). All of the lamps use eco-friendly Cree LED fixtures.

The lamps are on show in booth 1451 (Shapeways) and our jewelry is for sale in the designboom mart at booth 1266.  Please come check them out! We’re excited to share our new designs with you!

Some of the designs are already for sale on our website and the rest will be for sale next week.

Hyphae – incomplete / complete

sketches for something new…. (click for a larger view)

Hyphae – a new collection from Nervous System

Hyphae is a collection of 3D printed artifacts constructed of rhizome-like networks. Inspired by the vein structures that carry fluids through organisms from the leaves of plants to our own circulatory systems, we created a simulation which uses physical growth principles to build sculptural, organic structures. Starting from an initial seed and a surface, we grow a hierarchical network where nodes constantly branch and merge. The densely interconnected structure is at once airy and strong.

Our most diverse collection to date, Hyphae contains a range of necklaces, earrings, cuffs, bangles, rings and brooches. The pieces are 3D printed in nylon, a strong and flexible material, and are available in black and white.  Select pieces will also be available in stainless steel and sterling silver.

Making of Videos

Each Hyphae product is documented with a video showing the genesis of the design. The system we used to generate the pieces is an extension of our Xylem algorithm to 3D. To read more about the technical aspects see this previous post.

Win your favorite piece!

Want to win a piece from our new collection? Follow @nervous_system on twitter and tweet the following to enter.

win a piece from @nervous_system’s new jewelry collection #Hyphae http://bit.ly/HYPHAE

Add the name of your favorite piece on to the end of the tweet!  The giveaway runs until March 29th at 12am EST.  Two entrants will be selected randomly to win their pick.