kauppi & kauppi designs a splash proof porcelain pendant for ifö electric

marking the company’s first splash safe suspended light fitting, ifö electric presents the ohm pendant designed by kauppi & kauppi. launching as part of their spring 2020 collection, the new light fixture takes inspiration from ifö’s legacy and timeless functionality to offer a simple yet attractive product that perfectly suits a range of interior environments. 

all images © kauppi & kauppi

with its soft curves and monochromatic design by kauppi & kauppi the ohm pendant fits as well in the bathroom as the bistro or by the bedside. the product also provides splash safe certification, making it ideal for spas and other wellness interiors.‘we see the ohm pendant as a luminaire for the next generation of bathrooms, developing into something comparable to living room interiors. the design may be recognized as both classic and contemporary, the innovation occurs when the pendants are installed in new types of situations. a porcelain fixture that can easily fit in all types of rooms – where it fulfils a purpose’, says nina kauppi.

the collection is inspired by porcelain connection boxes and insulators produced by ifö electric in the early 1900’s

when placed as single pendants over a restaurant table, the ohm pendant becomes a pleasant focal point, while a group of pendants can form a space defining and shining cluster in a lounge situation. ‘our design contributes with soft shapes to the assortment, something which is partly visual, how the luster of the glaze is reflected in the rounded silhouettes. what we mainly wanted to add is a sensory and tactile dimension to the products. so that the advanced industrial production can be experienced by the hand. the relationship we build to objects through our hands is important’, nina kauppi concludes.

the porcelain part is available in high gloss glazed in black or white

the ohm pendant is available in high gloss glazed black or white with a matching textile cord. equipped with a classic E27 light source socket or G9, the pendant and the corresponding ceiling cup are IP44 and splash safe certified. the design has taken the IP-classification one step further than usual, since the solution also secures the ceiling installation. the ohm luminaires share a shade program across the entire collection meaning the pendant’s shade sizes match the previous launched ohm table lamp, as well as the wall and ceiling fixtures. 

‘making the ohm pendant splash safe and fully certified, without compromising with the stripped simplicity of the design, has been a challenge. the new technical solutions and tools developed for the porcelain parts has been an effort worthwhile, since the durable porcelain fitting will last for decades’, says product manager måns kiaer.

the ohm pendant with clear glass, equipped with a classic E27 light source socket

ifö electric, scandinavia’s only factory producing pressed porcelain, uses a challenging production technique. the press tools consist of a positive and a negative element. together they shape a cavity where the clay grains, with 15 % humidity, will be compressed and formed by a hydraulic press in one single stroke. ‘pressing porcelain is by far the most challenging production method we have encountered as designers. behind every pressed detail lies a tremendous amount of work and development. the large investments and the products long life cycle brings a certain responsibility for us designers. a long-term perspective must be present, not only in functions and solutions, but also in design and expression’, says nina kauppi.

one base, two colors and three glasses

neither wind, water nor strong sunlight changes the glazed porcelain

the shades match the collection’s previously launched fixtures for tables, walls and ceilings

both the pendant and the corresponding ceiling cup are splash safe certified for indoor use

the design secures the installation one step further than usual through the ceiling cup solution

the pendant fits as well in the bathroom as the bistro or by the bedside

‘we wanted to add is a tactile dimension to the products’, says designer nina kauppi

the ohm pendants are designed to fit a wide range of interiors

project info:

name: ohm pendant

launching: spring 2020

designers: kauppi & kauppi (johan kauppi, nina kauppi)

producer: ifö electric

materials: porcelain, white/black high gloss glaze, opal glass & clear glass, textile cord

production method: high temperature fired pressed porcelain

light sources: G9 & E27

diameter: 100 mm

height: 155 – 215 mm

weight: 1.3 -1.5 kg

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.