Neither wind, water nor strong sunlight will change the glazed surface of Ohm porcelain lights collection, designed by Kauppi & Kauppi for company Ifö Electric. Ohm is a family of light fixtures for indoor and outdoor use on walls, facades, ceilings and tables. The first grand collection in more than ten years, by Scandinavia's only press porcelain producer. Inspired by old porcelain insulators, the soft curves and restrained silhouettes references the company's legacy and includes the first table lamps in the company´s century long history.
Seduced by the shapes of insulators & connection boxes
When the Swedish studio Kauppi & Kauppi was invited to design a grand new collection of light fixtures for Ifö Electric, they focused on one main inspiration source - the company´s legacy. With the new design they wanted to celebrate the material, the unique press porcelain production and the century long heritage - combined with today´s modern lighting technique. The brief was to design a collection of wall, facade and ceiling fixtures. The result grew into a larger collection than initially requested, introducing the first table lamps in the company's history.
"We were seduced by the fascinating soft shapes of insulators and connection boxes, some of the first products manufactured by the company. We wanted to bring these silhouettes back into the assortment by creating something new, carrying some of its identity. The fascination was not only a matter of aesthetic, the soft shape proved to be highly functional for both bases and glass with great ability to diffuse light", explains Nina Kauppi, one of the designer at Kauppi & Kauppi.
The inspiration from industrial porcelain resulted in a collection of light fixtures for walls, ceilings and facades. In addition to the traditional range, the table lamp was designed with the aim to enable a closer relationship to the light fixtures. Contrary to the Ohm collection of fixtures for permanent installations, the added family member is designed for flexible use within an arm's reach, on tables, next to a bed or in a window.
Press porcelain - a unique production
One of the challenges is also the advantage, the unusual production method. The unique press porcelain technique allows fine precision details, alongside outstanding durability and insulation - characteristics perfectly suited for electro technical products. The technique requires great knowledge throughout all stages: construction, tooling and production - all phases are performed by skilled craftsmen. The fine tuning before starting the press is mandatory - like an orchestra tuning their instruments before a concert, the toolmaker goes over and puts together the press tool parts.
Small clay grains containing 15% humidity are used in the process. A hydraulic press creates the entire fixture base, with all fine detailed threads and mounting holes, in a single stroke. The process of drying and high temperature firing the clay will shrink the base - with remained precision in all details. The result is a fantastic porcelain quality - neither wind, water nor strong sunlight will change the glazed surface.
"The aspect of time is something we have reflected over a lot in this project. We like to see our design process with Ohm as 'Slow Design'. Construction, tooling and preparations for pressing porcelain takes time, but is also allowed to take time. The extensive efforts are made with a long-term holistic perspective in mind. Once the products are done, they will exist and function over a great period of time. Porcelain luminaires will survive styles and trends with a potentially longer lifecycle than many buildings. An aspect of the sustainability that ought to be more discussed", says Johan Kauppi.
Beautiful in vision & tradition
"When defining a product as beautiful, there are several ways to look upon it. We believe that the light fixtures in the Ohm Collection has an elegant silhouette and that the light is lovely diffused through the soft shape of the glass. But what we also believe to be a beautiful aspect, apart from the appearance, is the role that the Ohm Collection plays as a carrier of traditions, craftsmanship and production pride. Hundred years has passed since the first insulator was produced in the factory, millions of fuse links has left the production and here we are – product developing light fixtures together with some of the grandchildren of the factory pioneers. For us it is an added value – to maintain the production knowledge and unique technique", explains Nina Kauppi.
A century old technique - ready for tomorrow´s demands
The first launch of the Ohm collection contains two sizes of porcelain bases, in high gloss white or black glaze. Various glass shades create harmonic silhouettes with a short or high profile, in matte opal or clear glass. Altogether the components generate a large range of expression possibilities. It is in fact the same two base sizes that are used for all category's, the table version mounted on ash wood can be re-used/re-cycled in a ceiling or wall installation.
The main part of the collection, aimed for installations on walls, facades and in ceilings is IP44 classed, meaning that the fittings are water splash safe and can be used indoors in bathrooms as well as outdoors. There is a choice of different types of light sources such as LED modules, G9 or traditional E27 sockets, depending on the demand. The great thing about the light fixtures is that if the needs change over time, the same already installed lightning fixture can be easily re-fitted with another type of light source insert. The fact that the light fixture housings can be developed over time and updated with new lighting technology is of great sustainable value.
"We had a desire to create a luminaire family with a restrained and friendly expression. In our minds we imagined an idea of a standard light fixture, naturally melting into different environments with the possibility to last aesthetically over time – something we believe we have achieved", says Kauppi & Kauppi
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