The copper Equi Cone pendent lamp|The folded cardboard mold|Metalised fabric with the black-chevron pattern|Kyla McCallum creating the lighting mold||
Foldability is pioneering high-tech metalised fabrics for origami lighting products that are more durable than their paper counterparts, making them better suited to the commercial market.<\p>
As well as being more durable, the metalised material could potentially be used to create larger structures, which would be a better fit for the corporate spaces.
The new Equi Cone Pendant range is made from a unique range of titanium, aluminium, printed copper and gold fabrics that are folded into complex forms using one of the oldest production techniques.
Studio founder Kyla McCullum worked with British ‘pleaters’, who traditionally worked in the garment industry, to develop the products. Paper moulds are created by hand then used to steam the metalised fabric into shape in an easily repeatable process.
“I started working with the pleaters in December last year,” MacCullen told onoffice. “We experimented with all sorts of materials including kite and sail-boat fabrics. They told me they’d even pleated salmon skin once.
“The metalised fabrics look like solid metal and have quite an industrial feel, but when you shine light on them, they become transparent and appear lighter and softer.”
Having exhibited the metalised range at London Design Festival, Foldability has already received over 100 enquiries about the products. McCallum has also developed a range of glass surfaces for Okalux and Glass Inspiration, using a totally different range of materials. She is also continuing to develop her paper range, most recently with the Geodesic Hex pendent light, which is an inverse version of the one she designed for John Lewis.
“There are an infinite number of ways in which folding can be used within product design,” said McCallum. “So far I have just scratched the surface and I am keen to develop this range further in collaboration with other companies.”
