Skip to main content
Otto on a dark ledge, seen from below: dark blue base with three buttons, clear upper sphere with a blue band
Industrial Design 2024

Otto

A lamp built around the light of the day: three sources that come out of a sphere as it opens, from a warm glow at rest to full output. Prototyped in FDM, with an Arduino driving the LEDs.

01 // THE INSIGHT

On or off

The light in a room is usually either on or off. Daylight is neither: it changes colour and strength from morning to night, and the body reads that change.

Otto splits a sphere into three light sources that work on their own, so the light can follow the hours instead of switching between two states.

Independent sources
3
Injection molded
PP
Macro of the base: the three buttons on the matte blue shell, with the air slots above
02 // THE FORM

How it opens

01

Closed

At rest Otto is two intersecting spheres, flattened at the poles: one closed volume.

In this state the polypropylene shell is the diffuser, and the light that comes through it is warm and low.

02

Opening

The core rises and the upper sphere splits into two hemispheres, uncovering what is inside.

From here the three sources can work one at a time, or together.

03

Open

At full extension the internal cylinder is out, and it holds the upper hemisphere above the base.

Base, core and crown: three parts, three separate lights.

Otto closed: two spheres, one volume Otto opening: the upper sphere splits in two Otto open: the central cylinder holds the upper hemisphere
Wireframe of the lifting mechanism inside the lower sphere
03 // KINEMATICS

The lift inside

A lifting mechanism inside the lower sphere raises the central core, and that changes the shape of the lamp. We prototyped the whole lamp in FDM, with an Arduino driving an array of LEDs.

  • 01

    Telescopic spine

    The central cylinder acts as the structural spine. As it rises, it physically disengages the upper hemisphere from the base, creating a floating effect.

  • 02

    Friction fit

    The polypropylene parts slide against each other, and the tolerance between them is what gives the movement its resistance: there are no gears.

  • 03

    In the base

    The flattened base holds the board and the buttons. Each of the three light sources is on its own circuit.

Otto closed, the whole shell glowing warm
04 // LIGHT EXPERIENCE

Four states

Four combinations of the three sources, one for each part of the day. The buttons are on the base, and the same four states are in the app.

Temp
2700K
Intensity
400lm
Close-up of the moulded buttons on the base
Base finish
Deep Blue Matte
05 // MATERIALITY

Three materials

A matte coloured base under a clear crown, with steel where the parts meet.

  • PP

    Tactile Base

    Blue Polypropylene (Matte)

    The lower sphere and the buttons are injection molded in coloured PP. The matte finish is warm to the touch and hides the electronics.

  • PMMA

    Optical Crown

    Transparent Acrylic (Plexiglass)

    The upper hemispheres and the central cylinder are in PMMA: clear, and it passes light well.

  • SS

    Structural Links

    AISI 304 Stainless Steel

    The visible joints and the guide rails are machined in stainless steel, which also reads as metal against the polymer.

The open pulp box, with Otto inside and the logo printed on the lid
100% plastic free
Molded pulp
07 // SUSTAINABILITY

The box

The box is specified in moulded pulp, with no plastic in it. It is printed with soy ink, and it can be composted at home.

Material
Recycled Paper Pulp
Printing
Soy-Based Ink
Disposal
Home Compostable

The ink for the printing is organic too, so the whole box can go in the compost.

Daylight changes colour and strength all day. A room's light is on or off. Otto has three.

08 // DATA SHEET

Technical Specifications

Physical

Dimensions (Closed)
H 350mm x Ø 200mm
Dimensions (Open)
H 520mm x Ø 200mm
Weight
3.2 kg
Primary Material
Polypropylene (PP)
Optical Elements
PMMA (Acrylic)
Structural Details
Stainless Steel AISI 304

Performance

Light Source
Tri-Zone LED Array
Total Output
2400 lm (Max)
Color Temp
2700K - 4000K (Tunable)
CRI
95+
Input
USB-C / 24V DC
Control
Buttons and app
0:00 / 0:00