Behind the Object: La~De~Da Pendant
The La~De~Da pendant light by Nightworks Studio. Pictured here in the Chrome finish.
The glass globe with LED are designed to strike the perfect balance between downlight and global ambient light.
La~De~Da adds a playful and glamorous dimension to interiors, disrupting the straight lines in architecture.
A mood board in Nightworks’ Christchurch studio shows some of the key inspiration behind its new La~De~Da Pendant.
Naming La~De~Da was a team effort, and the name ultimately stuck for how it echoes the product’s playfulness.
Seamlessly blending materiality, beautiful construction, and function requires careful planning and iteration.
Caitlin, an industrial product designer at Nightworks, works on a 3D rendering of La~De~Da.
Nightworks Studio, bespoke lighting specialists in Ōtautahi Christchurch, tell us how they landed on the exaggerated gentility embodied in the design of its new La~De~Da Pendant.
Jacinda Rogers (JR): What was the genesis for this piece?
Nightworks (NW): La~De~Da was born out of our desire to push the boundaries of lighting design. We wanted to create something truly iconic and bold, that would not only stand out in the New Zealand market but also resonate with a global audience. There wasn’t a specific project driving its creation. It was more about enhancing our existing range with something fluid and daring.
(JR): What were some of the initial design drivers behind the object?
(NW): Our goal was to develop a statement piece that would draw attention with its elegance and technical sophistication. We wanted to strike a balance between form and function, giving the La~De~Da pendant a visual impact while ensuring it worked seamlessly in different contexts. It needed to enhance the playfulness of spaces while showcasing the craftsmanship that’s at the heart of our brand.
JR: Tell me about the colour and material inspiration for the pendant.
(NW): La~De~Da’s Ember and Chrome finishes draw from the energy of early ‘70s London club culture, while the other two (Bay and Silk Grey) offer a more refined, contemporary feel. Aluminum plays a key role in the design, with its lightweight yet durable properties enabling the layered construction that defines La~De~Da’s unique form. This material choice not only enhances its playful aesthetic but also ensures lasting durability and versatility across a variety of spaces.
(JR): How did you approach turning this idea into a material form?
(NW): The design took shape through an exploration of automotive manufacturing techniques, particularly sheet metal pressing. By experimenting with this process, we discovered the potential of layering two waving sheets of aluminium. This combination created a captivating interaction between light and shadow, forming the foundation of the design. From there, we fine-tuned it through several rounds of tooling and prototyping until we had a piece that was not only beautiful but functional.
(JR): Did you think about the process of making the object when conceptualising the original design?
(NW): From the start, we knew that the production process would shape the design of La~De~Da. Instead of focusing purely on form, we explored manufacturing techniques — specifically sheet metal pressing — and let that guide the aesthetic. The interaction between beautiful construction and materiality became central to the design, and the decision to layer two sheets of aluminium was key to creating the play of light and shadow that defines the pendant.
(JR): What technical or production elements were considered during the prototyping stage?
(NW): Throughout the process, we constantly considered how the design would influence production and vice versa. For instance, creating a 750mm statement piece and a smaller 450mm version from the same custom tooling allowed us to streamline manufacturing without sacrificing the design’s integrity.
We also addressed technical elements, such as integrating the driver for international markets and designing a magnetic colour-matched canopy to conceal the fixings. The use of translucent cables and a custom LED glass globe further reinforced La~De~Da’s balance of elegance and functionality, resulting in a visually striking product.
(JR): Could you give a brief step-by-step of how the object went from concept to final project?
(NW):
- Initial Concept: We aimed to create a fluid, iconic form that played with light and shadow.
- Manufacturing Research: We explored sheet metal pressing techniques, drawing inspiration from automotive manufacturing.
- Tooling and Prototyping: We developed custom moulds and worked through several iterations, refining the design.
- Material Selection: Aluminium was chosen for its durability and aesthetic potential, with a chrome finish to enhance reflection.
- Technical Development: We designed a custom canopy and translucent cables, along with incorporating a tunable LED light system.
- Final Product: La~De~Da is offered in two sizes, with its signature playful elegance and technical craftsmanship fully realised.
(JR): Was there a trial and error process? Did you face any unexpected challenges along the way when developing the item?
(NW): Yes, the process involved a fair amount of trial and error, particularly with tooling and prototyping. We had to go through several iterations to get the pressing and layering of the aluminium just right. One challenge was integrating the lighting components seamlessly into the design whilst keeping the elegance intact. We designed a custom canopy to conceal the fixings and used minimal translucent cables to maintain the pendant’s clean, sophisticated look.
See more from the Behind the Object series here.
More: Read about Nightworks’ recent trip to Melbourne as design-tourists.
