By remixing materials and using some creative thinking lights can be flexible, provide free lighting during the day, magnetic, or customizable. Here is a roundup of some of the most creative lighting fixtures around.
The Magnetic Crystal Light System
What’s cool about this light is that you can take each block apart, rearrange them, and have them still light up. The magic comes in the magnets that hold the blocks together, as it is the magnets that also conduct the electricity from one block to another. Oh, and they also change color. Available here: Lightology
The IQLight Kit
This lighting kit by Danish designer Holger Strom allows you to create a variety of light fixtures. No gluing is necessary as the pieces interlock to create 22 different designs – (site).
The Change Lamp
Timo Niskanen designed the Change Lamp for public spaces (i.e. libraries). Because people have to put a coin in the lamp (just like with shopping carts) to turn it on, the lights will get turned off as people take their coin back – (site).
Mixing Balloons and Lights
Luc Schouten designed The Floating Light Lamp using transparent balloons and a specifically designed LED light fixture that fits into the base of the balloon. These LED lights come in a range of colors, and can be set to strobe, flash or glow.
The same concept can be done easily at home by using balloons and glow sticks/battery powered LEDs. If you want to create floating versions, you’ll need to buy helium specific balloons and rent a helium tank.
(via LightsandLights.com)
Recycled Flexible Light
Sara Bergano and Giusy Arciresi used left over felt scraps, an old phone charger, and 50 LED lights to create this free forming light fixture – bend it into a wall light or table lamp (site).
The Hybrid – Solarvinden
IKEA has designed this hybrid outdoor light that uses both wind and solar power. Two versions are available – a stake lamp and a hanging light.
Daytime Light Bulb Hack
Here is an ingenious lighting idea for developing countries, where a lot of people are either without electricity or have a hard time being able to afford it. Their homes are built in such a way that they block out sun light, making them dark places to be in even during the day. Costing only $1 to install – these daytime light bulbs are made up of a soda bottle filled with water and a bit of chlorine or bleach to kill off any bacteria in the water. A hole is cut into the roof of the home and a patch of sheet metal is used to hold the soda light in place. The water spreads out the light (a hole in the roof just creates a spot light). This make shift light bulb solution is the equivalent of a 50-60 watt light bulb.
- Rethinking The Fish Tank – Creative Designs **[coming soon]**
