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Design meets technology: 3 innovative light fixtures that are ahead of their time

Oligo luminaires combine the prowess of German engineering with sophisticated design, engendering progressive lighting solutions for today’s forward-looking society.

Design meets technology: 3 innovative light fixtures that are ahead of their time

WIN this Oligo Kuula table lamp worth S$1,292 from P5 Studio worth S$1,292. Simply subscribe to Indesignlive.sg e-newsletter from now till 15 December 2021.

Lighting is a necessity in any space. It can change the perception of space, elevate aesthetic features, assist in everyday activities and improve comfortability of occupants. These are reasons enough to choose the right light fixtures that supplement the presence or absence of natural light in a space. 

Beyond that, light fixtures, be it for wall, floor, table or ceiling, have the capacity to recreate unique experiences that delight the senses. With these in mind, Oligo has been creating sustainable, innovative and intuitive contemporary lighting since 1987. Its passion and fascination with light birthed many innovative lighting solutions that earned the German company numerous international awards. Oligo’s trailblazing spirit is manifested through all of its luminaires and lighting system. Here are our top three picks.

Paläo pendant

With a form that alludes to megacities’ skyline, Paläo makes for a showstopper in any space – be it the boardroom, living room or dining space. Inspired by urban lifestyle hubs, 14 monolithic acrylic glass blocks of varying heights stand majestically atop an aluminium body, which projects light onto them. Impressively, the transparent blocks can be removed and repositioned at any time to create the user’s own version of a skyline. Similarly, the entire light fixture that is supported by suspension cables is height adjustable at any time, with the cable winding mechanism hidden inside the canopy. 

There is also an additional light source beneath the long aluminium body that illuminates the surface below it. A simple gesture turns Paläo on or off thanks to the motion control sensor. Dimming function is activated by keeping the hand beneath the luminaire, where the sensor is positioned. Additional functions such as temperature colour control, separate switching and dimming of the upper and lower LED segments, new assignments of gesture control, sleep tight function and more are possible via Casambi.

Kendo pendant/floor lamp

Available in three lengths, Kendo is ideal for use in a small study to a large office space that requires ample illumination. If needed, it could be exchanged with other sizes at any time thanks to the loop assembly that is the modular Slack-Line system. Like Paläo, this cylindrical pendant that is modern yet timeless provides glare-free illuminations and features invisible height adjustments for greater flexibility. Operation, too, is via gesture control or Casambi.

Unassuming in its appearance, Kendo is a versatile luminaire that can be used as a pendant and floor lamp interchangeably. One or up to three Kendo light fixtures can be positioned in Oligo’s Base One and Base Three luminaire bases in any combination. Oligo has truly made Kendo a plug and play lighting as the operation functions of individual light modules are fully retained during operation in the luminaire base. 

Alternatively, Oligo’s James charging station can be used instead of a Kendo for wireless charging of Qi supported devices. Other electronic devices can also be charged by cable via the USB port on the side. The small tray is handcrafted from solid walnut wood. A matt black rod combined with a chrome-coloured finish forms the connection to Base One or Base Three.

Kuula table lamp

light fixtures - Oligo Kuula table lamp in white from P5 Studio
Oligo Kuula table lamp in white

Designed in collaboration with maison Thonet, Kuula is a table lamp that incorporates minimalist design, superb craftsmanship and cutting-edge lighting technology. Its name, derived from the Finnish word for sphere references Kuula’s distinctive LED sphere in Bauhaus style. The mouth-blown glass ball is matt-finished by manual sandblasting. A dedicated glass lens disperses the light predominantly onto the opalesced area of the luminaire head to create a harmoniously soft and poetically inspiring lighting scenario.

Yet, what makes this table lamp cutting-edge is its side-mounted light stick that replaces the conventional toggle switch and serves as both – an elegant cable outlet and controller at the same time. A first of its kind solution, the integrated switch and dimmer control are highly intuitive and practically invisible. Available with a black or white base, Kuula is ideal for use in home environments, workplaces and hospitality spaces. 

Oligo Kuula table lamp details
Oligo Kuula table lamp designed by Thonet

In Singapore, Oligo is exclusively distributed by P5 Studio.

WIN an Oligo Kuula table lamp from P5 Studio worth S$1,292. Simply subscribe to Indesignlive.sg e-newsletter from now till 9 January 2022, and tell us how the Kuula table lamp can work in your daily life. The most creative answer wins.

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