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Studio Thier & van Daalen’s Hypnotic GRID Pendant Lights Debut at Salone del Mobile

04.24.23 | By
Studio Thier & van Daalen’s Hypnotic GRID Pendant Lights Debut at Salone del Mobile

An assemblage of colorful, confectionary lights illuminated a corner of this year’s Salone del Mobile 2023. Studio Thier & van Daalen’s GRID pendant lights are mouth-blown glass crafted into knobbly shapes resembling an assortment of super-sized hard candies (in fact, to this writer’s eyes, they immediately evoked fond memories of a favorite childhood confection alongside the bittersweet memories the shapes are associated with the fruit flavored treats) – literally a light-spirited manifestation of illumination.

GRID pedant light in blue, orange and soft pink shown handing from ceiling against white background.

Photo: Studio Pim Top

Studio Thier & van Daalen explored various glass shapes and structures to fashion a mesmerizing array of imaginary projections and reflections illuminating from the bulbous, structured glass surfaces. An imaginative eye may see cloudy skies, rippling water, or morning dew glowing forth in a soothing and hypnotic effect glowing from these pendant lights onto nearby surfaces.

Hanging trio of GRID pendant glass lights in orange, opaque pink and light blue.

Photo: Studio Pim Top

Six hanging GRID pendant glass lights in orange, opaque pink, white and light blue BULLA wall lights in background on white brick wall.

Photo: Studio Pim Top

GRID pendant light shown in its molten red hot state being handblown inside a kiln

The bulbous handblown glass wares intentionally retain imprints of imperfection.

The round structure in the glass is created when the red-hot, almost liquid bubble is on one side pressed into the brutalist steel construction. Directed by the designers, the right combination of temperature, air pressure, and gravity leave a soft imprint of the structure in the glass.

An array of handblown glass GRID pendants and BULLA wall lights in various colors displayed across bubble wrap covered table with wavy ceiling light above and arched mirror in background.

An array of handblown glass GRID pendants and BULLA wall lights in various colors displayed across towels on the ground.

Person holding a large piece of white paper in front of opaque white GRID handblown glass with spherical LED spotlight to show the unique patterns seen passing through the textured glass surface.

When light is projected across the textured pendant glass, variances in roundness and thickness across the glass surface become visible.

Black wall showroom with a selection of seven GRID pendant lights over circular coffee table in center with BULLA wall lights in background

To further enhance and complement the GRID pendant light’s enchanting light shaping presence, the studio developed a custom spherical LED spot (both dimmable and set to a warmly rated 2700°K) to accurately project light where desired, while also doubling as mounting bead.

Closer cropped show of black painted showroom with a selection of seven GRID pendant lights over circular coffee table in center with BULLA wall lights in background

man and woman standing sideways facing camera with red background

Iris van Daalen & Ruben Thier

The GRID pendant light was on display at Salone del Mobile within the Dutch corner (aka, Isola Design) of the annual international design fair.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.