a playful bauhaus nightlight that looks half asleep forms out of hand-cast concrete

two recessed ‘eyes’ introduce a subtle anthropomorphic presence.

Roger Reutiman edited by claire brodka March 4, 2026 3 min

YAWN Translates Bauhaus Principles into a Playful Light Object

YAWN is a minimalist concrete nightlight by designer Roger Reutimann that translates Bauhaus principles into a compact domestic object. Rooted in structural clarity, material honesty, and the integration of design and production, the project approaches lighting as a spatial and tactile study rather than a decorative accessory.

Originally trained as a sculptor, Reutimann developed YAWN through physical prototyping, treating it as a small architectural composition. The stepped base and cantilevered vertical element were refined through iterative models to achieve balance, proportion, and a distinct posture. The resulting form suggests a subtle anthropomorphic presence: a compact body supporting an upright element that reads as a head, with two recessed ‘eyes’ set into its surface.

a playful bauhaus nightlight that looks half asleep forms out of hand-cast concrete - 1 — all images courtesy of Roger Reutimann

Roger Reutimann Hand-Casts Concrete with Embedded Light

Designer Roger Reutimann cast the lamp’s body entirely in concrete, emphasizing mass and material density. Producing a refined object in this medium required precise mold fabrication, controlled aggregate selection, vibration techniques to eliminate air pockets, and careful surface finishing. Crisp edges and consistent pigmentation were achieved through repeated casting trials. Each piece is hand-cast, cured, sanded, and sealed in the studio.

Two diffused resin lenses form the lamp’s ‘eyes,’ housing dimmable, smart-home compatible LEDs. Integrating electrical components within a solid mineral mass required concealed internal channeling and thermal management to maintain structural integrity and long-term performance. The illumination emerges softly from these recessed apertures, reinforcing the impression of a face in low light.

a playful bauhaus nightlight that looks half asleep forms out of hand-cast concrete - 2 — YAWN is a minimalist concrete nightlight informed by Bauhaus principles

YAWN’s Face-Like geometry Glows in Solid Concrete

While grounded in modernist rigor, YAWN introduces playfulness through expression. The slight tilt of the cantilevered element and the placement of the paired light sources evoke a yawning or blinking gesture, giving the object a quiet personality without departing from its geometric restraint. The lamp’s anthropomorphic quality emerges through proportion and detail rather than applied ornament.

Produced in a limited edition of 100, each lamp is manufactured entirely in-house. The process maintains a studio-based approach, positioning the object between industrial precision and sculptural presence. YAWN demonstrates how a minimal concrete form can accommodate both structural discipline and subtle character, translating modernist principles into a contemporary light object with understated animation.

a playful bauhaus nightlight that looks half asleep forms out of hand-cast concrete - 3 — two recessed ‘eyes’ introduce a subtle anthropomorphic presence

yawn-minimalist-concrete-nightlight-roger-reutimann-designboom-1800-2 — the composition suggests a compact body and upright head

a playful bauhaus nightlight that looks half asleep forms out of hand-cast concrete - 4 — diffused resin lenses house dimmable LED light sources

a playful bauhaus nightlight that looks half asleep forms out of hand-cast concrete - 5 — concealed internal channels integrate lighting within the concrete mass

yawn-minimalist-concrete-nightlight-roger-reutimann-designboom-1800-3 — the recessed apertures emit a soft, even glow

a playful bauhaus nightlight that looks half asleep forms out of hand-cast concrete - 6 — in low light, the lamp reads as a simplified face

project info:

name: YAWN
designer: Roger Reutimann | @roger_reutimann_artist

materials: Cast Concrete, Resin, LED

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.