Year

2025

Type

Technical product architecture and component level development

Development of a portable light designed to create atmospheric reflections through moving water. Inspired by natural water caustics, the project explores how this phenomenon can be translated into a compact lighting object. The development focused strongly on technical construction, vibration system and battery architecture into a coherent product design.

01 — Problem

Atmosphere deserves better light.

Bathrooms are typically shaped by function first. Bright ceiling lighting defines the space but rarely the mood. For anyone trying to create a calmer bathing ritual, candles often remain the only option. Beautiful, yet temporary and inconvenient.

01 — Problem

Atmosphere deserves better light.

Bathrooms are typically shaped by function first. Bright ceiling lighting defines the space but rarely the mood. For anyone trying to create a calmer bathing ritual, candles often remain the only option. Beautiful, yet temporary and inconvenient.

01 — Problem

Atmosphere deserves better light.

Bathrooms are typically shaped by function first. Bright ceiling lighting defines the space but rarely the mood. For anyone trying to create a calmer bathing ritual, candles often remain the only option. Beautiful, yet temporary and inconvenient.

02 — Context

Where water meets ideation.

Research into lighting typologies and construction principles formed the starting point of the project. Inspired by the unpredictable reflections of water caustics, numerous global concepts were explored to translate this phenomenon into a mobile lighting object.

02 — Context

Where water meets ideation.

Research into lighting typologies and construction principles formed the starting point of the project. Inspired by the unpredictable reflections of water caustics, numerous global concepts were explored to translate this phenomenon into a mobile lighting object.

02 — Context

Where water meets ideation.

Research into lighting typologies and construction principles formed the starting point of the project. Inspired by the unpredictable reflections of water caustics, numerous global concepts were explored to translate this phenomenon into a mobile lighting object.

03 — Sketches

Exploring possible directions.

Different typologies were explored during the early stages. Concepts ranged from wall mounted lights that free up surfaces to modular floor lights with detachable portable units and charging docks. Only through comparison and iteration did the direction converge into a compact mobile light.

03 — Sketches

Exploring possible directions.

Different typologies were explored during the early stages. Concepts ranged from wall mounted lights that free up surfaces to modular floor lights with detachable portable units and charging docks. Only through comparison and iteration did the direction converge into a compact mobile light.

03 — Sketches

Exploring possible directions.

Different typologies were explored during the early stages. Concepts ranged from wall mounted lights that free up surfaces to modular floor lights with detachable portable units and charging docks. Only through comparison and iteration did the direction converge into a compact mobile light.

04 — Experiments

Learning from water.

Creating convincing caustics required physical experimentation. Different vessels, water levels and distances between light source and surface were tested until the projection reached the right balance of movement, clarity and calm.

04 — Experiments

Learning from water.

Creating convincing caustics required physical experimentation. Different vessels, water levels and distances between light source and surface were tested until the projection reached the right balance of movement, clarity and calm.

04 — Experiments

Learning from water.

Creating convincing caustics required physical experimentation. Different vessels, water levels and distances between light source and surface were tested until the projection reached the right balance of movement, clarity and calm.

05 — Concept

Converging into one form.

What began as a broad exploration gradually condensed into a clear product direction. Across multiple sketch iterations the design evolved into a compact portable light that combines atmospheric projection, mobility and intuitive interaction.

05 — Concept

Converging into one form.

What began as a broad exploration gradually condensed into a clear product direction. Across multiple sketch iterations the design evolved into a compact portable light that combines atmospheric projection, mobility and intuitive interaction.

05 — Concept

Converging into one form.

What began as a broad exploration gradually condensed into a clear product direction. Across multiple sketch iterations the design evolved into a compact portable light that combines atmospheric projection, mobility and intuitive interaction.

06 — Engineering

Designed with production in mind.

The internal architecture was developed in Solidworks with manufacturing feasibility as a priority. The housing is based on cast brass components. A material widely used by faucet manufacturers for durability and premium finishing.

06 — Engineering

Designed with production in mind.

The internal architecture was developed in Solidworks with manufacturing feasibility as a priority. The housing is based on cast brass components. A material widely used by faucet manufacturers for durability and premium finishing.

06 — Engineering

Designed with production in mind.

The internal architecture was developed in Solidworks with manufacturing feasibility as a priority. The housing is based on cast brass components. A material widely used by faucet manufacturers for durability and premium finishing.

07 — Prototype

From concept to working prototype.

To validate the idea a functional model was built. The prototype demonstrates both interaction and lighting behaviour. It shows the activated water surface, the projected caustics and the resulting atmospheric effect in real space.

07 — Prototype

From concept to working prototype.

To validate the idea a functional model was built. The prototype demonstrates both interaction and lighting behaviour. It shows the activated water surface, the projected caustics and the resulting atmospheric effect in real space.

07 — Prototype

From concept to working prototype.

To validate the idea a functional model was built. The prototype demonstrates both interaction and lighting behaviour. It shows the activated water surface, the projected caustics and the resulting atmospheric effect in real space.

Unfold Prozess

Presenting POOL

Light powered by moving water.

Presenting POOL

Light powered by moving water.

Presenting POOL

Light powered by moving water.

Feature 01

Light powered by moving water.

A shallow water layer sits inside a sealed acrylic basin at the top of the light. A protective glass cover reduces scratching while maintaining optical clarity. Small vibration motors animate the water surface while a point light source beneath it projects living caustics onto the ceiling.

Feature 01

Light powered by moving water.

A shallow water layer sits inside a sealed acrylic basin at the top of the light. A protective glass cover reduces scratching while maintaining optical clarity. Small vibration motors animate the water surface while a point light source beneath it projects living caustics onto the ceiling.

Feature 01

Light powered by moving water.

A shallow water layer sits inside a sealed acrylic basin at the top of the light. A protective glass cover reduces scratching while maintaining optical clarity. Small vibration motors animate the water surface while a point light source beneath it projects living caustics onto the ceiling.

Feature 02

Tilt to move water. Turn to shape light.

The control combines two intuitive gestures within one element. Turning adjusts brightness continuously. Tilting activates the water movement mode. The gesture references the familiar logic of opening a faucet to release motion.

Feature 02

Tilt to move water. Turn to shape light.

The control combines two intuitive gestures within one element. Turning adjusts brightness continuously. Tilting activates the water movement mode. The gesture references the familiar logic of opening a faucet to release motion.

Feature 02

Tilt to move water. Turn to shape light.

The control combines two intuitive gestures within one element. Turning adjusts brightness continuously. Tilting activates the water movement mode. The gesture references the familiar logic of opening a faucet to release motion.

Feature 03

Power that stays ready.

POOL uses interchangeable battery modules. One battery powers the light while a second charges on a wall adapter. Magnets hold the battery securely in place.

Feature 03

Power that stays ready.

POOL uses interchangeable battery modules. One battery powers the light while a second charges on a wall adapter. Magnets hold the battery securely in place.

Feature 03

Power that stays ready.

POOL uses interchangeable battery modules. One battery powers the light while a second charges on a wall adapter. Magnets hold the battery securely in place.

Feature 04

A subtle signal.

Battery feedback is integrated directly into the light behaviour. As the charge level decreases the illumination begins to pulse softly. A quiet visual cue that indicates replacement while preserving the calm atmosphere.

Feature 04

A subtle signal.

Battery feedback is integrated directly into the light behaviour. As the charge level decreases the illumination begins to pulse softly. A quiet visual cue that indicates replacement while preserving the calm atmosphere.

Feature 04

A subtle signal.

Battery feedback is integrated directly into the light behaviour. As the charge level decreases the illumination begins to pulse softly. A quiet visual cue that indicates replacement while preserving the calm atmosphere.

Engineered for production.