Kawa pairs a leather-cast porcelain diffuser — organic and asymmetrical in form — with a brass stem and marble base, casting a warm, comforting glow when lit. The diffuser is made using a technique distinct to Luft Tanaka Studio: liquid porcelain is poured into a leather mould built from a 3D-modelled pattern, left to form a thin wall along the leather’s surface, then the mould is cut at the seams and carefully peeled away, leaving the porcelain shell behind.
The Kawa series began in 2012 as Luft Tanaka’s thesis project at Parsons School of Design, born from an interest in a production process where the method itself dictates the form, and where multiples could still each be genuinely one-of-a-kind. The name Kawa is Japanese for leather, or skin — a reference to the technique’s origins in a discarded leather couch that inspired the whole approach.
The lamp ships with three G8 sockets and LED bulbs included, on a black fabric braided cord with an in-line on/off switch as standard (an in-line dimming switch is available on request). Each piece is handmade and one-of-a-kind, and can be wired for 120V or 220V with the appropriate plug.
| Plug | Type A/B (US) (Will be adapted to destination) |
|---|---|
| Bulb | G8 LED 10W 2700K 950Lm |
| Voltage | 110-120V |
| Cord length (cm) | 180 (Can be customised) |
| Switch | On cord |
| Dimensions LxWxH | 32x32x50cm (13x13x20'') |
| Piece Weight (kg) | 4.0 |
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