Snøhetta explores new material for reborn classic with ateljé Lyktan
Snøhetta has partnered with leading Swedish lighting manufacturer ateljé Lyktan to explore sustainable solutions in lighting design. The collaboration focuses on material innovation, with atelje Lyktan's iconic 1970s Supertube receiving a contemporary makeover through extensive material research. The result is the Superdupertube.
At the core of Superdupertube is its materials, showcasing Snøhetta's commitment to regenerative design and material research. The journey began several years ago, with an architect, a landscape architect, an interior architect, and Snøhetta's workshop master collaborating with ateljé Lyktan. The objective was to explore materials for a locally sourced solution with a smaller ecological footprint. Hemp, with its robust fibers and minimal environmental impact, emerged as the optimal choice, reducing CO2 emissions by over 50% compared to traditional aluminum variants.
"When ateljé Lyktan challenged us to create a new technical office luminaire, we rediscovered their iconic Supertube from the 1970s. Our joint decision was clear—let's update and elevate the Supertube to a 2.0 version, guided by our commitment to sustainability and cradle-to-cradle thinking," says Snøhetta Partner, Jenny B. Osuldsen.
A material journey with natural variation
The collaboration with suppliers Bergman's and Trifilon marked a journey of sustainable material development. Initial attempts with pine cones and coffee grounds led to the discovery of hemp fiber, showcasing the significance of partnerships in pushing sustainable design boundaries. Superdupertube is the first project where a material based on hemp is extruded in an existing extrusion process.
Unlike the other materials tested, hemp offered the required strength. The organic material mix, enhanced with sugarcane starch, met the functional needs and aligned with the two brands' dedication to developing more sustainable solutions. Hemp, an ancient crop with versatile applications, grows abundantly without depleting the soil.
"The key improvement involves completely revamping the material and integrating a smart light system. The extensive material research journey, culminating in using hemp and sugar cane as the foundation for the new material, marks the beginning of our quest for more sustainable, regenerative solutions. The Superdupertube serves as an inspiration, urging others to continue seeking innovative solutions for a better future", says Osuldsen.
Natural innovation
The hemp material's inherent color introduces a unique aspect – each lamp's color will vary with different hemp crops. This natural variation also influences the color temperature of light(K). The LED strips are emitting a warmer tone through the material. The lamps are available in two color temperatures: 4000K (tuned to 3800K ambient light) and 3000K (tuned to 2800K ambient light).
Superdupertube embraces a PLA (Polylactic Acid) material derived from sugarcane, reinforced with hemp fibers to create a biodegradable polymer free from fossil oil or gas. This conscious material choice contributes to reducing the environmental footprint.
The choice of extrusion as a production method pays homage to the original Supertube's innovation with aluminum extrusion. Various techniques are employed in crafting the Superdupertube, with features like the louver and side covers being injection-molded and a hemp and sugarcane material mix tailored to the production method.
Reborn, smarter, and easy to fix
Just as the original Supertube marked innovation in the 1970s, Superdupertube symbolizes a commitment to more sustainable solutions. Snøhetta and ateljé Lyktan's meticulous consideration of design, material, flow, and process results in a product with minimized environmental impact – both in materiality and function.
Recognizing that 70-80% of a luminaire's climate impact occurs during the user phase, Snøhetta and ateljé Lyktan emphasized efficiency and incorporated smart lighting systems to reduce energy consumption and expand its lifetime.
The design and the well-engineered extruded profile have optimized easy assembly and disassembly by enabling components to slide in place without glues and minimal use of screws. This also makes it possible to easily replace parts, repair malfunctions, and update lighting technologies in the future.
Superdupertube not only reduces dependence on fossil raw materials but is also industrially compostable. This project pushes the norms around what an office lamp could look like and be made of and is meant to contribute to and encourage further advancement within sustainable and innovative materials and production technologies.
”This Product is part of our focus on exploring new materials and creating sustainable environments for offices and education spaces. Spaces that contribute to creativity, productivity, and well-being while at the same time leaving a minimum carbon footprint. Superdupertube is the first of its kind; it's a tool for navigating towards design and production with less environmental impact and a step in the right direction, but definitely not the last", says Malin Gadd, ateljé Lyktan Product Director
Versatile lighting with character
Designed as a versatile office lamp, the Superdupertube comes in four lengths. The diagonal louver reduces glare through longitudinal and diagonal light shielding and imparts a distinctive character to the fixtures.
cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/c5aed0a1-1483-43ae-b94f-8ba8d7c555e8/OS_1234567_N31.mp4
Snøhetta's collaboration with ateljé Lyktan embodies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable design. Superdupertube pays homage to the past and paves the way for a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Download detail images
Download styled images
Download videos
Photo credits:
Detail images: ateljé Lyktan
Styled images: Jonas Lindstrom
Videos: ateljé Lyktan
(Credits can also be found in the metadata of each file)
Project presentation PDF.pdf
PDF 1.4 MB
Press contacts:
ateljé Lyktan: Thomas Holm - thomas.holm@ateljelyktan.se
Snøhetta: Ida Elizabeth Kemp - ida@snohetta.com
About ateljé Lyktan
ateljé Lyktan is one of Swedens foremost lighting brands with its own manufacturing facilities in their headquarters and factory in Åhus. Founded in 1934 by Hans Bergström and Verna Norell, ateljé Lyktan has a long tradition of producing quality lighting.
ateljé Lyktan puts light, people and the environment at the centre. The importance of light for human activities and welfare is what motivates us. With our solid lighting knowledge, long experience and breadth, we create innovative, energy efficient and sustainable products. It is a responsibility we have and a contribution we make to the world around us.
By creating lighting solutions with high quality best adapted to people’s requirements and with the least possible impact on the environment, ateljé Lyktan contributes to, and takes responsibility for, a sustainable development within society in general.