concrete shiitake lamps by mary-lynn and carlo massoud illuminate design doha

shiitake floor lamps whimsically illuminate concrete

Designer siblings Mary-Lynn and Carlo Massoud transport audiences into a forest of luminescent blooms at the inaugural edition of the Design Doha Biennial in Qatar. Harnessing the properties of concrete for whimsical domestic illumination with their SHIITAKE Floor Lamps, the duo departs from the industrial connotations typically associated with the robust material, infusing it with a touch of enchantment. Comprising ten large-scale lamps resembling stylized mushrooms, the series features hand-carved dome-shaped caps and stems crafted by Lebanese artisans to cast the space with a soft, fantastical glow.

mary-Lynn and Carlo Massoud embrace raw materiality

The playful luminaires extend from Lebanese designers Mary-Lynn and Carlo Massoud’s broader Elephant Project — a vibrant collection of furniture pieces made of lightweight concrete that command attention with their scale, proportion, and textured finish. Central to the project is the skillful adaption of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete to foam, a technique that aids in reducing the weight of each piece and also allows for intricate detailing and customization. As a thick layer of the material envelops the organic shape, it creates a solid finish marked with raw textures and with a soft center. The line of customizable, sculptural furniture pieces includes chairs, coffee tables, dining tables, consoles, and lighting, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

celebrating lebanese craftsmanship at design doha biennial

Five of the ten SHIITAKE Floor Lamps were debuted at Design Doha Biennale in Qatar, part of the headline exhibition Arab Design Now curated by Rana Beiruti and on view at M7 in Msheireb, Doha’s bustling creative district. Running from February through to August 2024, the exhibition presents a multidisciplinary survey of design by local and regional creators, together exploring themes such as cultural expression, architectural and material innovation, contemporary crafts, and environmental sensibility.

project info:

name: SHIITAKE Floor Lamps
designer: Mary-Lynn and Carlo Massoud

exhibition: Arab Design Now at Design Doha Biennial

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