There are many metaphors and analogies related to dawn when the rising of the sun is often compared to new beginnings or opportunities to begin anew. Dusk, however, is just as magical a time as its polar opposite, when the light of the sun is all but spent but lingers every so briefly before giving way to the restful night. For many people, it is a calming moment that signals the end of a busy day and the start of a period of reflection and peace. That is the soothing atmosphere that this set of mood lamps tries to convey, and they do so in the most minimalist way possible using nothing more than a few pieces of regular cardboard.
Designer: Óscar Santos
Cardboard is a material that’s so common that it’s too easily taken for granted. It’s stiffer than paper but less durable than wood, so it’s often used for packaging that’s meant to just be thrown away. It’s a complete waste, of course, especially when the pieces of cardboard are still pristine, but there are few known uses for them outside of breaking them down and recycling them like paper, which also consumes water and energy. Fortunately, there are also a few creative souls who want to give cardboard a chance, like this collection of lamps that take advantage of cardboard’s natural properties.
CENIT, which means “zenith” in Spanish, is a group of three atmospheric luminaries inspired by the highest point of the sun just before nightfall, the dusk that heralds the transition of light into darkness. Rather than use a light source that has to be mixed with the right color temperature in intensity, these lamps simply rely on how cardboard actually naturally reflects and diffuses light in a warm tone and soft brightness. No additional parts are needed, no filters or other materials: just a normal white LED strip and two pieces of cardboard with a certain gap between them.
This super-simple configuration creates an equally simple design that makes it easy for CENIT to blend almost anywhere. The wall lamp is just two long capsule-shaped pieces of cardboard with the larger serving as the base and the smaller hiding the light elements behind it. The desk lamp is a bit more decorative, with the two pieces set on a rectangular stand. On the other hand, the pendant light offers more flexibility, as the smaller cardboard with the LED or bulb can be turned to face away from the other cardboard piece and toward any area that needs more direct and brighter illumination.
The minimalist design also makes the lamps very sustainable, replacing only the parts that get worn down or broken. Given how many cardboard boxes are discarded every day, there will be no shortage of materials to use for replacements or new lamps. It’s a very interesting and poetic design that is able to set the mood and atmosphere in a room almost like magic, just as dusk paints the sky with an enchanting hue before the mystical darkness of the night sets in.
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