Tubular Lamp

The O.F.I.S. Tubular Lamp holds a special place in the studio’s history as the foundational piece that triggered the entire research into interstitial materials. Originally developed as part of the Foundations series—which explored the primary elements of our built environment—this lamp was first known by the experimental titles "Pipe Beam and Bag" or the "Balance Lamp." It was the result of a discovery made in Lucas Muñoz’s workshop in Eindhoven, where the disassembly of a local building's ventilation system revealed the intriguing geometric potential of its internal components.

The design team conceived the lamp as a study in balance and material hybridization. It features a long section of galvanized steel tubing used as a light-directing body, which is balanced against a heavy base made of rod steel and brick. This juxtaposition between the lightweight, hollow industrial shell and the primal weight of masonry creates a compelling narrative about the history of construction. The lamp does not just provide light; it illuminates the relationship between the heavy materials that hold our buildings up and the light, technical systems that allow them to breathe.

This piece garnered significant international attention after its debut at Dutch Design Week, where its raw aesthetic and innovative use of waste stood out as a precursor to the current "upcycling" movement. The studio’s decision to maintain the industrial patina and use simple mechanical assemblies resonated with a growing desire for authenticity and transparency in design. As the first successful transformation of ventilation hardware into a high-end lighting object, the Tubular Lamp paved the way for the collaborations with Rossana Orlandi and Mint Gallery that would eventually expand the O.F.I.S. research into a complete furniture collection. It remains a definitive example of how a designer's curiosity can transform a piece of "technical garbage" into a culturally significant artifact.