Protea

is a pendant lamp that is "thermo tropic" in plant terms (it moves away from heat). In a closed state (i.e. the light is off), the shade is cold and hugs the bulb closely. When the lamp is turned on, the petals move away from the hot bulb. It is a lot of work keeping cool, so they like it when you blow on them.

to see more photos of the lamps
to see an animation of the lamp opening

designer: Karl Zahn

Protea is now for sale online.

please direct any inquiries to karl@oboiler.com

This was an experiment in turning an invisible artifact of our consumption into a visual reminder without limiting its function.

We have become dependant upon artificial lighting. It is so commonplace that everyone understands how to operate one. But what is not so easily understood is how wasteful these habits are. We can only "see" half of what a normal incandescent bulb produces; the rest of its energy is released as seemingly useless heat.