Time in Soil - portable table lamp
What if light could reveal the memory of the land?
Soil is shaped over countless years, carrying the layered traces of lives, landscapes, and constructions. Unlike in ancient times—when it lived close to us in walls, pottery, and daily life—our dialogue with this material feels distant in the modern city. Time in Soil is a table lamp whose shade is made from soil, reflecting the unique context and memory of its origin.
Soil was collected from iconic scenes in New York City — Central Park and a building demolition site — and embedded into the lampshade. Seen up close, traces of crushed red bricks, once a dominant material since the 1800s, and fibers of decomposed leaves reveal fragments of the city’s landscape. To create an intimate distance with the shade — a scale that invites direct dialogue with the material, the lighting was designed as a table lamp.
Starting from the concept of a lamp that reflects “time”, the shade was cast in resin mixed with soil to capture the moment when its elements, like grains in an hourglass, are dispersed and settle under gravity. This process naturally creates delicate soil gradations, which I translated into a form inspired by a cocktail glass — a silhouette intended to harmonize with everyday interiors, particularly dining settings such as bars and restaurants.
The metal parts are bronze, chosen not for luxury but for their classic, antique resonance that aligns with the concept of time. The lamp is rechargeable via USB-C with a lithium-ion battery.
In 2025, Time in Soil was selected and exhibited at Paris Design Week Factory and at an open call exhibition during the London Design Festival.
