Off-form Lamp, Cuboid
by Nao Iyama · Tokyo, Japan

The Off-Form Lamp series is a lighting collection by Nao Iyama that explores new possibilities for Japanese Washi paper by integrating traditional craftsmanship with digital fabrication. The project was initiated in response to the declining number of Washi craftsmen in Japan and seeks to expand the material’s relevance within contemporary design culture. The Cuboid is the original version of the OFL series.

For over 1,500 years, Washi paper has been used in Japanese architecture, lighting, and daily life. However, changing lifestyles, industrial production, and a shrinking population have contributed to the gradual disappearance of traditional workshops and skills. Off-Form Lamp (OFL) reconsiders how this material can be preserved not by reproducing historical forms, but by creating new applications that resonate with contemporary audiences.

The collection combines handmade mulberry tree paper with a 3D-printed internal structure. Traditionally, Wahi lamps require a framework made from wood or bamboo, demanding years of specialised craftsmanship. By replacing this structure with digitally fabricated components, the project lowers technical barriers while enabling the creation of unconventional geometries that would be difficult to achieve through traditional methods alone.

Formally, the lamps challenge the Japanese sophisticated design language. Rather than pursuing perfect symmetry and restrained minimalism, OFL embraces playful imbalance, soft distortions, and unexpected proportions. The resulting forms appear familiar yet subtly unstable, encouraging users to reconsider preconceived notions of Japanese aesthetics.

Washi is a renewable, biodegradable material produced with low environmental impact. Damaged shades can be repaired or replaced without discarding the entire lamp. Through this approach, OFL proposes a dialogue between heritage and innovation, demonstrating how traditional materials can evolve.

Handmade paper mounted onto a 3D-printed internal structure. The shade is assembled using water-soluble starch adhesive, allowing repair and replacement. International bulb compatible.