Titlel
POOL
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Title should be catchy
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.