salone del mobile 2017: composed entirely of large lenses, ‘lightflakes’ is an intricate three-dimensional piece by tokyo-based architect yuji okitsu that creates never-ending reflections of light and silhouettes. when installed in any interior, ‘the surrounding scenery is replicated in the infinite play of light… this brings us opportunities to interact with natural light in our daily life, which is often overly saturated with artificial ones’. 

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
reflecting and duplicating natural light via the effect of the lens 

 

 

exhibited at this year’s milano salone sattelite in april, yuji okitsu‘s product can be converted into any free form – depending on use and spatial conditions. for example, ‘lightflakes’ can be configured into a furniture that brings in natural light — such as the partition wall ‘impression’, designed by the team. with this ethereal effect, the object ‘gradually changes the atmosphere in the room while communicating changes in the natural environment to the interior, as light transforms itself throughout the day,’ explains the architect.

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
the partition wall ‘impression’ with its infinite reflections

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
detail view of the duplicating effects created by the lenses

lightflakes_01
‘lightflakes’ can be re-combined to create any shape

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
users can experiment for free forms in furniture ware

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
slits are processed in four directions of a lens with a thickness of 0.3mm

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
incorporating the slits of lightflakes into the lenses

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
the assembled lightflakes shape the natural light 

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
detail of assembled units

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
various patterns appear depending on the viewing angle

yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms
steps of assembling ‘lightflakes’

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom