3D-printed clay lighting inspired by traditional mud-brick niches, blending earthen textures with brushed brass to evoke historical architectural warmth.
The Mishkah Collection is a set of three 3D-printed light fixtures using a mix of locally sourced and imported clay. The product is inspired by traditional mud-brick building techniques, where the clay is mixed with water until it reaches a malleable plastic consistency, the clay is then crafted into moulds and left to sun dry and eventually solidify forming stackable building blocks. The Mishkah Collection comprises three unique lighting units, with each unit designed to capture a specific stage in the clay’s transformation process.
The design draws inspiration from the architectural elements of wall niches, traditionally used in buildings as shelves and commonly used to house lanterns (these areas are referred to in Arabic as ‘mishkah’). It utilises 3D printing to construct forms highlighting the interplay between clay surface textures and colours (typically observed in traditional mud brick buildings) with both natural and artificial light. The back frame is made of a brushed brass finish resembling part of a stacked brick wall and referencing the rectangular-shaped moulds generally used to form clay into bricks. The back frame is designed with open ends to give the impression that each unit is an integral part of a brick wall structure and allows for different configurations of the units. The choice of brass finish in combination with 3D-printed clay colour and texture along with the soft warm light effect aims to reflect the warm and rich ambiance of traditional earthen buildings, emulating their deep connection to place and history.
