Dream Space - Milan 2011

DREAM SPACE DOME

An internal ‘break-out’ space for quiet contemplation, an external gazebo as a garden sanctuary, or a light-weight frame for an attractive shelter, Dream Space has a range of functions. But here in Milan we can enjoy this structure simply for its beautiful flow of lines and patterns, and for the way in which it focuses energy into its still calm centre. This is the first time that we have applied to architecture our process of building complex structures with minimal material use. The wood is only 5mm thick, and the entire set would fit inside a suitcase, yet it produces a remarkably strong and stable structure, once the pieces are curved and under tension. To reduce our environmental impact this dome was assembled entirely on site.

David talks about how the Dream Space design came about:

"A visitor to our stand in Milan understood the real genesis of the design very clearly when he said that the structure had a logical inevitability to it. Following the line of the curves, he said that there could be no other way in which this dome could have been built with such structural integrity. This is the way in which I work, and have done for some time, on the minimal skin structures of the forms that we build. First I generate the overall form of the dome as a single surface. Then I draw the lines of the structure onto this surface. They follow their own inevitable path, directed by the curve of the surface, and lines of force within the structure. It is no accident that the pattern of these lines recall other design versions of such buildings, because we are all governed by the same laws of physics. Some people have drawn a link to Islamic art -- while I have an enormous respect for one of our greatest art traditions, this is not actually the source for the design."

The wood is thermally modified, plantation-grown pine which has been heated to make it durable outdoors without the use of poisonous chemicals. It has an oiled finish. The junctions are aluminium plates fastened with rivets. The dome is built in six sections which can be taken apart for easy transport. A timber floor, made from the same material, can also be supplied, and a fabric cover is under development. Dome size: 4.4m w x 2.5m h

SEED SYSTEM + GROW FAMILY

We are continually doing all we can to reduce our environmental footprint. We commissioned a Life Cycle Analysis of our products which revealed that freight was a ‘hotspot’. Our kitset Coral light was setting a good example with minimal volume for maximum effect. Therefore, we re-designed four of our larger lights so they could be freighted as kitset and easily assembled at home or destination. This is the Seed System.

The Seed System is not limited to standard light sizes, but is even more effective for our large lights. To demonstrate this we are presenting a 2.4m high Giant Koura with a three colour interior, specially created for the Milan show. This Koura has been up-scaled using new parametric software, that adds in extra components as the form becomes larger.

MINI CORAL 400mm dia

The Coral light has become a contemporary classic, voted an icon by several international magazines. But the limitation of the material meant that we could not make them smaller that 60cm in diameter, which is too large for many living spaces. Now, at last, we have found a suitable material and are able to launch the Mini-Coral kitset lightshade . . . and they come in colours too!