The biggest design challenge was to transform the heavy and fragile crystals of old style chandeliers into something that would capture and refract the light in the same way. The answer came after a long creative and technical research into the shaping of extra slim polycarbonate sheet and applying the principle of Fresnel lenses to reproduce the same optical qualities of glass. The polycarbonate lenses have a high gloss external surface, while the internal surface presents a series of concentric micro-prisms that reduce the size of the light source and eliminates the glare effect.
The lenses are then easily attached in pairs to a transparent stem and then arranged around a laser cut and bent steel structure inspired by the shape of diatoms. No tools are needed to assemble the pieces together, it takes a very simple gesture and few minutes to mount the surprisingly light chandelier.
Gomez Paz and Rizzatto have defined every single detail of the product, including the packaging and the experience of mounting it; Hope can be as big as 105 cms in diameter but it is packed in a very small and light box together with a fancy pair of white cotton gloves to wear when assembling the lamp.
Hope
Designer: Francisco Gomez Paz and Paolo Rizzatto
Company: Luceplan
Year: 2009
Materials: Polycarbonate and steel structure
