CP Pendant Lights. Concrete, recycled paper, cord, acrylic, crushed recycled glass. Development Stage: Prototype.

This was a materials driven project as the concrete and recycled paper provided the inspirational guidance throughout the process. A simple form for the shade was chosen so the focus could remain on the material exploration. More complex forms could be investigated in future iterations if the mixture recipe was perfected and proven viable.

The objectives of the project were to lighten the weight and environmental impact of concrete used in creating a product, which in this case was a pendant light. Utilizing recycled paper seemed to be a logical material choice to test as it had the potential to reinforce both objectives. Adding it into the mix enabled less concrete to be used and lightened the weight of the pendants. While the initial results were promising, further testing would be needed to solidify the viability of the idea. Consultation with a concrete expert would be beneficial to determine mix ratios and additional additives to improve strength and rigidity of the final product.

The addition of the red acrylic strips in two of the prototypes and the red recycled crushed glass in the third were aesthetic choices to break up the look of the otherwise solid concrete shades. Small design elements which provide visual interest are important additions to any design as they demonstrate the thought and effort put into a project and an attention to detail. These glowing red accents along with the texture of the paper infused concrete elevate an otherwise simple shape into an interesting design object meant to attract and hold the viewer's attention. 

Dimensions

Height: 5.5 inches

Diameter: 5 inches