cultivated cellulose and layered ash shape series of horizon-inspired lighting

Cenit Turns Cultivated Cellulose into Suspended Light Objects

Following the release of Lapso, Polybion and Natural Urbano introduce Cenit, a new family of lighting objects exploring the relationship between cultivated materials, light, and contemporary interior design. The collection combines natural ash, stainless steel, and Celium™ Manto, Polybion’s Premium Cultivated Cellulose, using its translucent surface to filter light into a warm, atmospheric glow. Inspired by golden horizons and the linear compositions of the 1970s, Cenit translates light into a suspended horizontal landscape. Its name refers to the highest point in the sky in relation to an observer, an idea expressed through the lamps as a horizontal line of light held within the space. While Lapso was conceived as a sculptural statement piece, Cenit extends the same material exploration into a more versatile family of lighting objects for contemporary interiors. The collection comprises pendant and table formats, allowing the use of Celium™ to be adapted to different scales and applications.

all images courtesy of Polybion and Natural Urbano

Natural Ash and Celium Manto Shape Cenit’s Layered Structure

Cenit marks the first collaboration between biotechnology company Polybion and design studio Natural Urbano to combine wood, stainless steel, and Celium™ Manto within a lighting piece. The structure is formed from a layered natural ash spine, assembled from thin sheets of ash that are pressed and nailed together. The Celium™ Manto shade is positioned between four ash layers on each side, eight layers in total, and secured using the same pressed and nailed construction method. The resulting frame supports the translucent cultivated cellulose while leaving its material qualities visible across the light-filtering surface.

Celium™ is cultivated by feeding bacteria with agro-industrial fruit waste. As the material is grown through a biological process rather than produced through conventional extraction methods, each sheet develops subtle variations in tone, density, and surface expression. These differences remain visible in the finished lamps, contributing to their visual and atmospheric qualities. The pendant version uses a horizontal composition that evokes a suspended horizon, while the table lamp translates the same layered material language into a smaller format. The table lamp is available in two material expressions: Celium™ Manto, which filters light through a translucent cultivated cellulose surface, and Celium™ Keros / Espumante, which introduces a denser and more textured appearance. Each Cenit lamp is produced to order, with an estimated delivery time of five weeks. The collection is available through Natural Urbano’s website and the Vibe Lab / Polybion Shopify.

Cenit explores the relationship between cultivated materials, light, and interior design

Cenit translates the idea of a horizon into a suspended line of light

pendant and table formats adapt Celium™ to different scales and uses

natural ash, stainless steel, and Celium™ Manto define the Cenit collection

translucent Celium™ Manto filters light into a warm atmospheric glow

thin sheets of natural ash form the lamp’s layered structure

golden horizons and 1970s linear compositions inform Cenit’s visual language

the ash frame leaves the cultivated cellulose visible across the light-filtering surface

biological cultivation creates subtle variations in the tone and density of each sheet

Celium™ is cultivated using bacteria fed with agro-industrial fruit waste

the collection extends Polybion and Natural Urbano’s material exploration

project info:

name: Cenit

designer: Polybion™ | @polybion × Natural Urbano | @natural_urbano

design team: Lorena Márquez and Sebastián Beltrán – Natural Urbano

collaborating team: Axel Gómez-Ortigoza and Alexis Gómez-Ortigoza – Polybion

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. See more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: Christina Vergopoulou | designboom