L U M I N A I R E

Luminaire - The final phenomenon.  In this project I created a light effect that emulated the varying layers and depths of shadows seen in pea gravel.  This is my process and my final project.

The Light effect I was trying to create.  Soft layers of shadows that when overlapping create more depth.  The closer to the surface the brighter the shadow.  The deeper down the softer and darker the shadow.

My luminaire and the light effect that it creates.

This is a view of the luminaire light filter.  I arranged the holes in a manner that suggests a path like journey.  I derived this from my parti which was title Vestige; a faint mark or visible sign left by something which is lost, a trace, a sign, a track, or a footstep.

Another view of the light filter and the aperture around the top of the piece.  The top of the luminaire hovers about 1/4 of an inch above the surrounding sides.  This allows a slight glimmer of light to emerge and define the luminaire itself.  I felt it was important to show where the light was coming from, yet more important for it not to detract from the light effect.

This is a close up of the aperture at the top of the luminaire.  This detail also allows for ventilation within the Luminaire, allowing a place for heat created by the light bulbs to escape.

View of the desired light effect and the aperture.

The final luminaire.  The piece is four inches square and forty-eight inches tall.  I chose these dimensions to make the piece more human in scale.  When placed in a room the piece will blend in yet if one comes upon the piece it makes itself known since it is at eye level.

This is the reverse side of the above image.  Here you can see the elegant simplicity of the piece.

The Luminaire was created in two pieces.  This decision was made primarily so that the bulbs can be changed within.  If this were a production piece a great deal of flexibility would be available in the overall height of the piece by varying the height of the base piece.  The top piece features a concave 45 degree cut while the lower piece features a convex 45 degree cut.  This allows the top piece to sit on top of the bottom piece and create a secure tight joint that does not allow any light to leak.

Detail view of the aperture opening.  This opening is magnetically adjustable, and can be completely closed as well.

Top Piece

Top Piece and Bottom Piece side by side.  Each are 24 inches tall.

Inside View.  here you can see the plates that the magnets attach to as well as the placement of the light bulbs inside.  I chose to offset the light bulbs to create more dramatic shadows.  You can also see the layers in the furniture grade plywood which related to the layers of shadows as well.  The luminaire was constructed of furniture grade plywood, each side is back cut at a 45 degree angle.  This creates a seamless cube.

Inside view of the back of the holes.  I used a forstner bit to create a hole that is 3/4" in diameter and penetrates to 1/4 of an inch from the front of the piece.  I also used a countersink bit in the last 1/4 inch.  This created a cone from behind which allowed for a double shadow effect to be created. 

Composite Drawing, showing the created light effect and scale drawings.

Detail view of the scale drawings.

Section drawing detail.