With a halo of kaleidoscopic colors, the first lamp from the Montreal-based studio Already it feels almost otherworldly—like the surface of an alien planet or bacteria blooming under a microscope. What began as an exploration of LED and cradle-to-cradle manufacturing at Concordia University resulted in a sculptural table lamp with a distinctly cosmic aura and soft, yet striking, silhouette. Enter: the TL-1 lampwhich debuted at the trade show on IDS Toronto last January.
“The purpose of the project was to explore circular construction, and because acetate is such a hard material to get your hands on, I used acrylic for this first prototype,” Juba founder Nick Trudel explains of the early prototype. “So I thought, ‘This will be an eco-friendly product one day, but right now, it’s made with regular materials that I can buy locally.’
Years later, his plan came full circle. Constructed from hand-formed cellulose acetate, machined aluminum and a cast mineral-composite base, the TL-1 features high-quality materials sourced locally or manufactured nearby. The rounded reflector is made of a composite material of plant origin – wood pulp and cotton – which is processed in Montrealand the cast stone base is poured in the studio. Custom made in their facility, each lamp is one of a kind, with unique gradients and tonal variations.
“Sustainable processes are really important,” adds Trudel. “It’s not the driving factor, but it’s like hygiene. I wouldn’t feel good about making something that can’t be repaired or that uses materials that don’t biodegrade in a reasonable amount of time.”
In light of this, all LED bulbs used for the TL-1 are replaceable. Plus, an embossed dimmer knob produces a soft, low-level glare that mimics the slow entry and exit of sunlight—or even the warm, fading light of a classic incandescent bulb. Designed to emit a subtle, indirect light on both sides, the lamp offers an atmospheric experience by emitting soft halos – one dim and one bright.
Available in two colorways, Heaven is a light shell pink (shown here) and Earth is deep green and yellow.
“It’s about being able to stare at it and feel calm and relaxed and reflective—like putting on a record at the end of a long day,” Trudel explains.
For the designer, Juba has even deeper roots. Named after the last name he gave his daughter, the brand is deeply personal, rebelling against a commonly taught idea that designers don’t design for themselves. “My heart and soul is completely behind it,” says Trudel. And it seems.
Although his previous experience is in architectural lighting—Trudel credits the start of his practice in part to Bennett Dobni of Montreal-based lighting studio Lambert et Fils—he has plans to expand his scope into other mediums in hopes of realizing a full line of products. Look out for his work at ICFF in New York in May and on Living Room Index-Designthe central trade show that makes up Montreal’s first citywide design week in late April.
To learn more about the studio, visit juba.world.
Photo courtesy of Nick Trudel.
