How often have you discarded a lamp because of one broken part? A cracked shade, a snapped joint, or a frayed cord can render the whole fixture useless. This common scenario drives the design concept behind German designer Luis Frey‘s ORI Lamp. Developed in 2025 as part of his graduation project, RECONNECT, at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, the ORI Lamp is reinventing repairability with a handmade abaca paper shade and a precisely manufactured stainless steel frame.
Frey’s design philosophy challenges the throwaway culture of mass production. By allowing you to replace just the paper panel when it yellows or tears, ORI elevates a simple lamp into a long-lasting, emotionally valuable object. It’s not just a mission statement but a tangible design solution.
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Folding Genius in a Simple Lamp
Named “ORI” to reflect the Japanese art of folding, this lamp is as clever in function as it is in form. The steel frame folds flat, which simplifies shipping and reduces packaging waste. When assembled, the lamp transforms into a glowing crystalline structure that merges industrial precision with handcrafted natural beauty.
Luis Frey’s ORI Lamp: A Kit of Possibilities
The ORI Lamp arrives as a kit, including a folded steel skeleton, a hexagonal paper panel, and essential components like a bulb holder and screws. It forgoes proprietary connectors, making assembly and future repairs straightforward—a stark contrast to typical flat-pack products that often complicate maintenance.
ORI challenges us to rethink our purchasing habits. Instead of opting for cheap, replaceable goods, it encourages us to embrace quality and durability, rewriting the narrative around lighting from disposable to sustainable without being preachy.
The Charm of Abaca Paper
The abaca paper shade adds a tactile warmth that plastic alternatives cannot replicate. Its fibrous, handmade texture softly diffuses light, echoing traditional washi and shoji aesthetics while maintaining a contemporary identity through its steel frame.
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Currently, the ORI Lamp isn’t yet available in mass markets. As it stands, it remains a pioneering example displayed at design exhibitions rather than widely available in stores. Still, it signals a shift toward treating repairability as a central design tenet rather than an afterthought.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
What materials are used in the ORI Lamp?
The ORI Lamp uses a handmade abaca paper shade and a precisely manufactured stainless steel frame.
How does the ORI Lamp promote repairability?
The ORI Lamp allows you to replace just the paper panel when it yellows or tears, elevating it into a long-lasting object.
Is the ORI Lamp available for purchase in stores?
Currently, the ORI Lamp isn’t available in mass markets and remains a pioneering example displayed at design exhibitions.