3 Canadians Among Top 10 Finalists of LAMP’s 2018 International Competition

September 7, 2018

In preparation for LAMP’s September 18 gala in Vancouver, BC, the organization has announced its top 10 lighting finalists in three categories. LAMP received 142 submissions from 85 cities in 28 countries, and will announce the winners at the gala.

LAMP (Lighting Architecture Movement Project) was established in 2013 as a group installation and exhibition showcasing light and form through the lens of architectural design. It launched its international lighting design competition to offer designers an opportunity to engage their talents in unique conceptual explorations and to connect the local community to architecture and design. Each year presents a new theme and new set of guidelines to challenge entrants. This year’s theme is “Balance.”

The competition is open to three categories: Student, Emerging, and Established. Canadians are among the finalists in the “Established” and “Student” categories. Excerpts from the finalists’ concept statements and specs appear below.

LAMP is run by Vancouver founders Annika Siemsen and Nicole Fox.

Canada’s “Established” finalists

  • Orbital Series, by Michel Duvernet, Nelson, BC. The Orbital series merges a chandelier with a mobile. Challenges resolved: weighting and balancing; modularity and scalability; a bright and compact light source; standards compliancy and the sourcing of quality Canadian materials. The rotating mechanism is at the heart of the design. It is robust, virtually frictionless, invertible and rotates unhindered by its wires. The recent patent approval for the mechanical connection has enabled its release to the public. 3D printing was employed to produce the light diffusor and custom LED cluster, a method which is cost effective, low waste and allows for in-house manufacturing. The solid wood version is made of laminated local wood and made locally. The CNC cut versions are made of Quebec maple plywood instead of the more common imported Baltic/Russian plywood. Project specs: Orbit: suspended version (can be larger or smaller) -static: 5’ x 5’ x 2’ deep -dynamic: 9’ x 9’ x 2’ deep • Floorbit: floor-standing version (can be smaller) -static: 5’ x 5’ x 6.5’ tall -dynamic: 9’ x 9’ x 6.5’ • Materials: -wood members: glue-laminated red cedar and sitka or CNC cut Quebec maple plywood • Mechanism: machined aluminum with bearings • Floorbit stand: welded aluminum-lighting: 12v LEDs. 3D printed light diffusor (Orbit) or acrylic sheet (Floorbit); barn-barn.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Ovo, by Adrian Fisher, Vancouver, BC. The symmetrical design culminates in a physically balanced luminaire made from contrasting materials with an environmental conscience. Design objectives included using unique materials to create a production ready light fixture while balancing social and environmental responsibilities. The thin wall design has a rigid cement base juxtaposed with a light, soft and flexible silicone shade. Coconut fibre was incorporated into the cement strengthening the walls, and a collapsing core mould was developed to eliminate de-moulding issues. Powdered eggshells were incorporated into the silicone, producing a unique frosted appearance. Project specs: 165 mm length x 114 mm width x 356 mm height; diameter: 165 mm • Prototype 1/2 scale • Base: cement with 5% coconut fibre by weight. Shade: silicone with 10% powdered egg shells by weight • Fabrication/process: OVO is cast using two part moulds made from polyurethane and 3D printed parts. The cavity and core are spaced to allow material to be poured in and vent. The base mould has a collapsing core for de-moulding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Portal, by Lake & Wells and Karice, Chicago, IL and Vancouver, BC. Precariously balancing two surfaces, wall and floor, Portal is neither sconce nor floor lamp, and yet both. The elongated form and reflective, polished brass core nod to the mirror as a literary object of magic, a portal to other worlds. Favouring neither pole, Portal has no upside down as form balances function for lighting both up and down. Project specs:Materials: brass and LED • Dimensions: 60”tall x 16”wide x 24”deep (when leaning against the wall) • Fabrication: formed and machined brass, matte and mirror polished • Fixture mounts to the wall using a discreet mounting bracket for stability;  lakeandwells.com & www.karice.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about all 10 “Established” finalists: www.welovelamp.ca/2018-established-finalists

Canada’s “Student” finalist

  • Driftwood, by Nathan Siu, Mississauga, ON. Driftwood emulates a piece of wood floating on a calm lake, barely breaking the surface and floating without disturbances. The warm diffused light mimics the refraction of light within water, bouncing off the rocky shore and illuminating the floating wood. It is both literally and figuratively “balanced”, as the wooden disc is suspended in the air as if floating on water. The ambient lighting from Driftwood provides the room with a warm, comforting atmosphere. Project specs: Driftwood is composed of two main bodies: the oak disc and the concrete base. The oak is finished with a semi-gloss coating to provide higher reflectance. The concrete provides a diffusing effect, creating a softer light. Neodymium magnets are used to levitate the disc and are controlled by a regulating system via the PCB • Diameter: 6″; www.linkedin.com/in/nathancksiu/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about the “Emerging” (www.welovelamp.ca/horizon) and “Student” finalists (www.welovelamp.ca/2018-student-finalists).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • March 3, 2026 - Leviton - Certolux Visioneering (Viscor) Announces Walter Lai as New Purchasing Manager

    Leviton – Certolux Visioneering (Viscor) Announces Walter Lai as New Purchasing Manager

    Leviton – Certolux Visioneering (Viscor) is excited to welcome Walter Lai CSCMP to the team as Purchasing Manager! Walter brings over 20 years of expertise in purchasing, inventory management, and supply chain operations. His strong background in supplier management, cost optimization, and leading cross-functional teams will be a tremendous asset as they continue to strengthen… Read More…

  • Feb 27, 2026 - Lumorphéa A Designer Lighting Exhibition by Mac’s II Agencies - March 5-15, 2026

    Lumorphéa: A Designer Lighting Exhibition by Mac’s II Agencies – March 5-15, 2026

    Lumorphéa has arrived. Rooted in metamorphosis, Lumorphéa explores the transformative power of light — how it reshapes perception, emotion, and space. Not simply display, but experience. From March 5–15, The Gallery George becomes a living, tactile lighting gallery where product, art, and application collide. Curated installations, project imagery, and sculptural lighting moments invite you to… Read More…


Design

  • Current: Advanced Data Centers Lighting – Smart & Energy-Efficient Solutions

    Current: Advanced Data Centers Lighting – Smart & Energy-Efficient Solutions

    Trust in Current’s expertise with over 28 trusted brands and 2,000 patents. Their customer-centric approach ensures they deliver solutions that truly make a difference. Partner with them for your data centers lighting and stay ahead in a competitive landscape. Current’s brands offer more than advanced LED Fixtures and Intelligent Controls. Current provides a complete solutions package, from… Read More…

  • Stanpro: Emergency Lighting – Are You Getting What You Paid For?

    Stanpro: Emergency Lighting – Are You Getting What You Paid For?

    Have you ever gone into a big box store looking for a product and find two similar products, but one is twenty percent cheaper, only to bring it home, attempt to assemble it and then realize WHY it was twenty percent cheaper? Have you ever regretted that kind of purchase? This phenomenon is not limited… Read More…


New Products

  • SATCO|NUVO: New Sylas Decorative Collection

    SATCO|NUVO: New Sylas Decorative Collection

    Embrace the beauty of organic design with the Sylas Collection, a whimsical light sculpture that redefines the art of lighting. Its free-form silhouette is comprised of a fluid-like, sculptural frame evoking a sense of movement and creativity. Available in matte black or polished nickel, it brings a bold yet elegant presence to your home, transforming… Read More…

  • Liteline: New HORIZON Series – Architectural Lighting

    Liteline: New HORIZON Series – Architectural Lighting

    Here comes HORIZON! The newest addition to Liteline the HORIZON Series brings precision and control to architectural track lighting. Compatible with A-Line, Powergear, and KLICK systems, it’s designed for retail, gallery, hospitality, and commercial environments and more! Twist-and-lock, field-changeable optics allow lenses and louvers to be easily swapped on-site, while five beam angles (10°, 20°,… Read More…