Project Overview

Arkiturbine is Darø’s newest design that challenges the conventional way of designing lights. By using digital manufacturing the simple frame and the beautiful blades have been laser cut to perfection. This is an unconventional and new way of producing lights and to have such a sophisticated result from such a stringent method of production is a testament of great design. Digital production is normally perceived as inflexible and heavy, but with Arkiturbine designer Hans Christian Asmussen has achieved to make a design that is the exact opposite.

Organisation

Darø a/s

Team

Designer: Hans Christian Asmussen

Project Brief

Just a few years ago Arkiturbine would never have seen the light of day, but designer Hans Christian Asmussen has challenged the use of digital manufacturing which is still in its early stage when it comes to design and concept. The stringent production method normally thought of as inflexible has been used to create a soft and open shape that is sophisticated, innovative and creative. Each part fits meticulously together without using any screws or bolts because of the precision that is an inherent part of digital manufacturing.

Project Innovation/Need

With Arkiturbine we have utilised a new form of production with digital manufacturing. We are still in the beginning of the digital manufacturing age, but we can already focus on aesthetics and challenge the perception of digital manufacturing as being rigid and expressionless. Designer Hans Christian Asmussen has been able to choose materials and design shapes that create a dynamic and interesting product. Due to the precision that is inherent in digital manufacturing all parts of the lamp fit together perfectly which means that Arkiturbine is assembled without screws, bolts or welds. The blades are easily clicked off for cleaning, changing the bulb or switching the blades for new ones in other colours or materials.

Design Challenge

One of the challenges we were faced with was how to complete the blades. How translucent should they be, which colour would be best to distribute the light, which material should we use? Going from a darker grey we quickly established that it absorbed too much of the light. We decided on a bright, shiny white with a glossy finish. With the light off the pendant looks sharp with the classic black frame and the glossy white blades. With the lights on the blades become a softer broken white that emits an indirect light beautifully and brings the room to life. We decided to use a special made plastic with special features that visually looks like opal white glass and functionally emits the light in the same way as glass. This has proved to be a great material to work with. The blades are easily cut and they follow the curve of the frame effortlessly.

Sustainability

We have had all the parts produced locally in order to be close to production. We have been developing the design further during production in order to end up with the perfect solution to the challenges we were faced with. One of the reasons we chose local production companies was to enable Arkiturbine to be produced efficiently and to avoid waste. We have chosen materials of a very high quality with a long lifespan that do not easily perish and that are environmentally friendly as well as recyclable. The design is also sustainable in the way that the blades are easily changed with new ones in different colours or materials so the design is easily adapted to the changing trend which in turn ensures an even longer lifespan. We believe that we as designers must create things of such a high quality that you do not wish to part with it. If a design is not extraordinary it is basically redundant. Our design must represent a thought, a concept that makes a difference; Arkiturbine does.