Siphonophora is a modular lighting system designed to adapt to any space - from intimate settings to large-scale installations. Entirely handcrafted in our atelier, each composition can be customised in colour and finish.
CATEGORY
PRODUCT DESIGN
MATERIAL
KNITTED CERAMIC, STAINLESS STEEL
YEAR
2025 - ONGOING
SIPHONOPHORA is a sculptural lighting system inspired by siphonophores - complex deep-sea organisms rarely encountered by the human eye. Rather than existing as a single body, they operate as a collective superorganism composed of many specialized units, all of which exist together in a state of symbiosis.
The work translates the natural logic of interdependence into a modular system of light elements. The individual components exist through their relationships with one another. Like a living organism, the structure can grow and rearrange itself, reshaping the space around it.
The result is a work that is both technically rigorous and materially expressive, where structure and delicate light operate as a unified whole.
Our research focused on the structure and growth patterns of siphonophores. We were particularly interested in the way complex forms emerge through the accumulation of simple interconnected units, allowing the organism to continuously expand and adapt.
These observations informed the development of SIPHONOPHORA's modular system and its ability to grow, reconfigure, and respond to different spatial conditions.
SIPHONOPHORA was first developed as a large-scale lighting installation commissioned by Rivers of Sofia for the 2025 edition of the festival.
With a fantastical vision already clear in our minds, we felt the urge to dream big. Inspired by the presence and movement of deep-sea organisms, we envisioned a luminous form that appeared to float above the river like a living entity.
Suspended above the water, the final installation measured 5 × 4 × 3 metres and became the first full-scale realisation of the project.
Developed from an early 3D visualisation, the installation remained remarkably close to the original vision.
The realisation of SIPHONOPHORA required both technical development and meticulous craftsmanship. Through extensive prototyping and refinement, we engineered a connection system capable of supporting an endlessly expandable structure while developing a collection of bespoke ceramic and metal components designed specifically for the project.
Together, these elements form a system that is both highly adaptable and carefully crafted.
The ceramic shades are created using a knitting technique, which presented significant structural challenges. We conducted multiple iterations to achieve structural integrity with this unconventional material. This involved developing a moulding methodology from scratch, followed by extensive testing to understand ceramic behaviour—shrinkage rates, glaze interactions, and firing schedules. Each variable had to be precisely calibrated to ensure consistency and durability.
All metalwork is done in-house. The stainless steel tubing required careful bending to create clean, elegant curves while maintaining structural lightness. This meant sourcing thin-walled tubing and identifying the right tools to achieve precise bends without compromising the material.
The modularity of the system posed another design challenge: creating seamless connections with minimal external hardware. We researched and tested numerous joinery solutions to eliminate visible bolts and screws, ensuring that the connections felt organic and integrated into the overall design.
The original installation served as a testing ground for the continued development of SIPHONOPHORA.
Following its completion, we refined and re-engineered the system, developing a new generation of modules that improved durability, standardisation, and long-term adaptability. This evolution allowed the project to move beyond a single installation and into a growing family of lighting products designed for interior environments.
We also carefully curated a palette of six new glaze colours.
SIPHONOPHORA continues to evolve as an expanding family of lighting products. Our current developments include new wall-mounted configurations, a table light, additional colourways, and a broader range of knitted ceramic patterns.
As the collection grows, each new product builds upon the same modular principles that shaped the original installation.
