At MASE Berlin I explored the paradox of pervasive technology freeing up our rooms but encroaching on our lives. The result is an IKEA concept lamp acting as a barrier to protect the ultimate human space of conviviality.
IKEA
The Observation.
Throughout history, major technological breakthroughs have carved out dedicated environments for us to inhabit.
The Problem.
Technology left dedicated physical spaces to become an omnipresent force in our lives. While aiming to make things easier it removes the positive effort that makes human experiences truly valuable.
The Purpose.
We must set boundaries against technology to reclaim our spaces, starting with the dining table.
Sharing a meal and engaging in the friction of committed communication is a vital human joy we refuse to give up.
The Idea.
Lucia is an innovative IKEA dining lamp built to strip away digital distractions.
Its dual lighting system casts a warm convivial glow only when participants place their smartphones inside the dedicated charging hub.
The intention is not to "punish" diners by confiscating their devices, which would quickly become frustrating, but rather to offer a practical benefit by recharging them.
However, the system is highly interactive: whenever a phone is removed from the hub, the warm light immediately dims, providing a subtle but instant visual cue to the rest of the table
Lucia Pendant Lamp