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SERIEN STUDENTENARBEIT • STUDENT WORK

HTWG Konstanz W ithout light, we would not have visual perception: The electro-magnetic waves
have to touch and penetrate objects before these meet our eye as reflections and
there “project” their information. In this respect, light can be seen as a medium of com-
Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung munication. It continuously provides us with visual impressions and everything we see
1906 gegründet is initially nothing more than reflected light. For the work of an architect, light plays an
4.812 Studierende important role: The interplay of light and shadow considerably determines how we per-
ceive buildings. Used as an instrument of design, it appeals to our emotions and is able
to communicate moods and messages in a multitude of ways. The interactopm of light
and space offers numerous possibilities regarding design.

From competition to luminous prototype

Each semester, the faculty of architecture at HTWG Konstanz offers projects focusing on
the topic of light. Headed by Professor Myriam Gautschi and lighting designer Mario
Rechsteiner (Art Light GmbH, St Gallen) and in cooperation with Osram OLED GmbH
during the winter term 2014/2015, the competition licht.falt.werke was thus organized in
which 17 students participated. The task was to design a luminaire based on the principle
of folding as a starting point. One of the challenges was that, in the end, actually functio-
ning prototypes on a scale of one to one were to be presented. The jury, consisting of
interior architects, specialist editors, representatives of the industry and the university,
awarded six prizes. To my great joy, out of the many very successful works, my design
came in first place. Second place was taken by to Charlotte Bausch, Tobias Diwersy and
Verena Zeller (IX). Third place was shared by Alexander Koch and Jürgen Oswald
(Viel_Falt), Annika Sternegger and Bart Bouman (QUA LUX) and Aline Hatt (CHRYSTALU-
NA). A special award went to Sarah Braunger and Verena Göllner (LEUCHTENDE DECKE).

The unfolding of light

I deliberately reduced the given subject of folding to the simple folding of an imagined
band of light. This was, however, not to look like the frozen result of a movement but rat-
Konzeptskizze der Leuchtenfamilie GAYA.light • Concept sketch of the GAYA.light luminaire seriesx her, it should become possible to experience the dynamic process of the “unfolding”.
Thus the light becomes something magical every time the lamp is switched on. A further
Die Module der Stehleuchte „GAYA“ sind drehbar. • The modules of the GAYA floor lamp can be rotated.
idea was to develop a modular luminaire with its basic module suitable for a variety of
needs and, at best, expanding into a luminaire series. The OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting
Diodes) prescribed as the illuminants stand out due to their particular flatness. It was
essential for me to emphasize this feature. In addition, function and aesthetics were to
by stylishly combined, operating was to be simple and intuitive yet the luminaire was
never to completely reveal its secret. At the end of an intensive design process, GAYA.light
resulted, consisting of a Y-shaped basic module: with the help of a sliding mechanism,
two OLEDs are slid along the rectangular housing – the light unfolds in a magical way.
Thanks to the various inclination angles of the illuminating surfaces, the light direction,
the light effect and the luminous intensity can be individually controlled. Thus the thin
component thickness of the OLED especially comes into its own. The Y luminaire can be
used as a table lamp but also mounted on the wall. With the addition of a rod, it beco-
mes AYA: Three of the Y modules are mounted horizontally. AYA is a suspended luminaire
to be installed in various ways. If AYA is mounted onto a vertical rod with a base, it beco-
mes the GAYA floor lamp: three Y modules which can be rotated around the rod axis and
used separately. The modules currently consist of aluminium which is finished with black
piano lacquer. I can also imagine a version without lacquer and consisting of brushed
aluminium, matte or shiny, as well as of walnut wood or synthetic material.

Patent pending

The award giving ended the semester as well as my luminaire project, at least for the
time being. Encouraged by my professor Myriam Gautschi, I decided to consult a patent
attorney to have my design protected. While visiting the PLDC – Professional Lighting
Design Convention in Rome in October 2015, for the first time I came into contact with
the industry on my own and was able to establish good contacts with a view of promo-
ting the implementation of my GAYA.light luminaire concept. That was why I recently
applied for a stand on the Young Design Areal of the Light+Building exhibition which will
take place in Frankfurt am Main from 13th to 18th March and am now one of the 15 young
designers selected to present their designs there. The whole project was a lot of fun for
me and was an interesting experience for me as a student of architecture where I learned
a lot that was new although the procedures – apart from the scale – are definitely similar
to designing and planning a building.

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