You might not expect the worlds of stone carving and electric lighting to meet artistically at the lampshade. Yet that’s precisely what Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis achieved with his latest creation, the Sukun lamp. Running Studio Soldout from Istanbul, Satilmis experimented with travertine’s potential in 2025. The result is a unique interplay of craftsmanship and technology that redefines ambient lighting.
Explore how modern Japanese printmaking offers a fresh perspective while maintaining a connection to tradition, similar to the Sukun lamp’s design.
Bridge between histories
The Sukun lamp features six distinctive geometric patterns, each one meticulously chosen from iconic Islamic landmarks in Konya, Kayseri, Karaman, Cordoba, Valladolid, and Granada. Satilmis employed waterjet cutting and CNC-refinement to fashion these patterns onto a travertine disc that serves as the lamp’s crown. A concealed 2700K LED and rechargeable battery system illuminate the design, casting the geometric reflections around the surrounding space. The lamp offers three-step phase dimming and an impressive six to eight hours of run time per charge. Winning the A’ Design Award’s Lighting Products and Fixtures category for 2025-2026, the Sukun stands as a testament to integrating past artistry with modern design.
The art of precision
Travertine’s natural composition, filled with veins and voids from its formation, provides a textural contrast to the precision-cut patterns. Satilmis ensured that each motif adhered to Eric Broug’s geometric reconstruction methods, a meticulous process crucial for maintaining the intended design harmony. The main challenge lay in achieving delicate perforations through the stone without chipping, while still keeping the disc robust. Through extensive prototyping, his efforts resulted in a perfectly balanced piece where the geometry stands pristine and detailed.
A balance of form and function
The lamp’s design features a cylindrical travertine base housing electronics, functioning also as a light diffuser, softening the glow onto surfaces at 2700K. Measuring 250mm wide and 300mm tall, it fits comfortably as an everyday lamp or a statement piece. The lamp charges via USB-C, eliminating the need for obstructive cords, and maintains a clean silhouette. Its adjustable brightness allows for ambient lighting despite using efficient dimming technology, avoiding flicker issues seen in less refined models.
Discover how a sculptural lamp prioritizes its decorative shell to add narrative, akin to the travertine lamps in Islamic art.
Switched off, Sukun stands as a testament to fine stone craftsmanship, seamlessly adorning any sophisticated interior. When illuminated, it transforms the room, projecting warm, slight variations of travertine-filtered light patterns across the space. These stone lamps offer not just light but a connection to the rich tapestry of Islamic art, each pattern posing as a time capsule from different historical sites. Such a collection adds a unique narrative dimension to lighting that’s rarely seen.
Source: yankodesign.com