Melina wall, etched opal glass / Photo © Nick Rochowski
Melina is a smaller version of Mela, and it was initially developed as a site specific lighting project, 3.8 metres length chandelier to be installed in the lift hall of a grade II listed office building, 2 Bessborough Street, London, for where we were also commissioned to design and make a set of furniture in its entrance lounge.
Working with Hand & Eye, Melina is now available as cluster pendant lighting, and also as wall mount version.
Chandelier commissioned by Crown Estate for 2 Bessborough Street site.
Melina is designed in 2021, and produced and available to order by Hand & Eye
Melina pendant, single, etched clear glass / Photo © Nick Rochowski
Melina pendant, double + triple, etched clear glass, light on
Melina pendant, double + triple, etched clear glass, light off
Melina pendant, triple, etched clear glass, light on
Melina pendant, triple, etched clear glass, light off
Melina wall, etched opal glass / Photo © Nick Rochowski
Melina wall, etched opal glass, light off
Melina wall, etched opal glass, light on
Melina wall, etched clear glass, light off
Melina wall, etched clear glass, light on
Design development for chandelier
When we were approached to design a feature lighting for the office building above Pimlico station, we quickly thought glass light would be a natural fit to the designated space, the Art Deco inspired, oak panelled lift hall, design by Sir William Whitfield and built in 1980s. Also the light though glass could be a way to soften the masculine entrance and give fluidity into a rather rigid space. We also introduced etched clear glass instead of opal (white) glass for their semi transparent light diffusion to give more complex expression of light and physical presence.
We had just recently completed Mela for Hand & Eye, glass globe light with a dimple at the centre that subtly punctures light, and we soon decided to develop this simple shape further into something that works for this hall.
Glass shade was skilfully mould blown, a technique of mouth blowing glass into mould, by a glass workshop in Poland, metal fitting was invest cast silicon bronze in Leicester, UK, and internal fixing was 3D printed in nylon in the UK.
Previous light fitting at the site, before the refurbishment work
Our initial inspiration came from dried persimmon fruits in Japan.
One of the early 1:1 size sketch on the studio wall
Looking into an idea of using rope (which has been dropped in the further development)
Cluster idea sketch
Research into how the cluster may interact
Early sketch incorporating rope
We also looked into another route using large timber structure
Research on scale and shape
Research on scale and shape
Research on scale and shape
Early sketch using large glass shade and oak timber
Deciding the distance between each shades on 1:1 model
Progression of 3D printed prototypes
Nearly finalised fitting prototype
Testing different LED bulbs
Testing with 3D printed shades and fittings
From visit to Leicester's Lester Cast
Clustered mould of our parts is cooling down in a sand pit after molten silicon bronze are poured
Chandelier for 2 Bessborough Street
Cluster lighting of 2 strands x 8 glass shades and 4 strands x 7 glass shades (total 44 lights)
Material
Matt etched clear glass, cast bronze, braided cable
Dimensions
Ø1200 x h. 3830 mm, estimated weight 25 kg (60 kg including ceiling rose/mount)
Light source
G9 LED (4.4 W) x 44
Finish
Ceiling rose in powdercoated steel in matt white, ceiling mount in birch plywood
Bespoke chandelier for 2 Bessborough Street
