Timaru based designer, Gus Leen is hugely influenced by the texture, form and movement found in Nature. He draws on these three elements to inform his designs.

Inspired by a simple acorn and the curvature of filaments in a ‘dolly light bulb’, the Conic floor light reflects the curvature found in Nature and this man-made light.

By day the Conic is an elegant artwork equally at home in a modern residential or commercial setting. By night it transforms into an elliptic light sculpture, using shadow and down light to create curved, Nature-inspired designs at the lamp’s base; stars, snowflakes, tropical leaves or flowers. The interpretation is left to the imagination. The soft glow of light from the top aperture is intended to anchor the lamp while allowing it to ‘float’ lightly on its base.

To achieve this specific result, Gus created a unique five watt LED array recessed within the top bracket so it is obscured from sight. The LED light directs to the floor, allowing light to spill evenly through the brackets. 

In keeping with Gus’s commitment to using only sustainable natural materials for the Conic, each bracket is honed from 15 mm sustainably grown bamboo. Bamboo’s rapid growth rate, superior natural strength and fine textured grain were all factors that informed Gus’s choice of material; not only was it practically suitable for the curvy design, but the grain’s detail lends the finished natural lamps a raw elegance.

The external faces of the bamboo brackets are finished in black enamel paint. Gus chose the paint specifically for durability and consistency of finish.

Awards Highly Commended award at the 2018 ECC New Zealand Student Craft/Design Awards

Material sustainably grown bamboo (15mm); black enamel paint (external edges); 5-watt LED array