david nosanchuk models 3D printed pendant lamp after architectural ornament in NYC

david nosanchuk models 3D printed pendant lamp after architectural ornament in NYC
(above) image by boone speed

motivated by a love of late 20th century american architecture, designer david nosanchuk has realized a series of 3D printed lamps with forms mapped from an architectural ornament found on the façade of a new york city building. the ‘louie’ pendant lamp for .exnovo — an italian producer of 3D printed decorative objects — has been born from a digital scan of the bayard condict building in manhattan’s noho district. this now-landmarked skeleton frame skyscraper was built in the late 1800s by architect louis sullivan — father of american modernism, mentor to frank lloyd wright, and author of the phrase ‘form follows function’.

the form of the lamp is mapped from an architectural ornament found on a new york city building
image courtesy of david nosanchuk

after laser mapping the building, nosanchuk selected an ornate cornice element above the entry arch as a point of departure for the design of a hanging light. the data collected during the scan featured a highly structured and organic labyrinth of points and lines — motifs reflected in the final form of the ‘louie’ lamp. ‘it was an open lattice with no boundaries, a simultaneous space that could hold and pass light, perfectly suited to the 3D printing process and engineering artisanship of .exnovo’, nosanchuk describes.

the ‘louie’ pendant lamp has been born from a digital scan of the bayard condict building
image © designboom

‘louie’ has been presented during new york design week 2016 at collective design. prior to its presentation in new york, the pendant has been featured at the exhibition ‘ladies & gentlemen’ during milan design week 2016, previously featured by designboom here. 

an an ornate cornice element on the building informed the design of the luminaire 
image © designboom

the data collected during the scan featured a highly structured and organic labyrinth of points and lines
image © designboom

the lamp is motivated by nosanchuk’s love of late 20th century american architecture
image © designboom

detail of the 3D printed interlocking elements that form ‘louie’
image © designboom

‘louie’ has been presented during new york design 2016 at collective design
image courtesy of david nosanchuk

a warm glow is emitted by LED lights hidden from view 
image courtesy of david nosanchuk

an ornate cornice element from the bayard condict building informed the design of the lamp 
image courtesy of david nosanchuk

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