Designer portrait Simon Busse
Anna Moldenhauer: How did the collaboration with Ambright come about?
Simon Busse: I have known Volker Scheuba (former Head of Marketing at Ambright GmbH) for quite some time. Thanks to him, I was able to see the company's production facilities and we started our creative collaboration. Within just one year, we were able to develop a luminaire and bring it to market maturity. Up to that point, Ambright had exclusively manufactured individually produced lights for B2B customers using its patented printed-light approach. What we are now presenting is the first series-produced light, “PARIS.”
Why did Ambright decide to launch this new offering?
Simon Busse: Individual customer projects with SparkShapes require intensive planning and close coordination between architects/lighting designers and Ambright's in-house design team. With the “MasterSeries,” Ambright is now also venturing into offering luminaire archetypes that are already designed with attention to detail in order to respond to different interior requirements.
On your website, you write that you are attracted to aesthetic precision, a sense of technology, and a passion for experimentation. To what extent did you find these qualities in your collaboration with Ambright?
Simon Busse: What fascinated me about Ambright was their very different approach to lighting production, their “out of the box” thinking. I find the patented “light pressure” process, the precision, and the fact that all processes can be carried out with a single machine fascinating. Other manufacturers have 20 different manufacturing processes, while Ambright manages to produce a light fixture with just one machine. In addition, the founder and managing director, Dr. Florian Ilchmann, and his team have a wealth of expertise in lighting technology—this was also the basis for the development of SparkShapes and the more than 10-year collaboration with Siemens Healthineers, which enabled Ambright to launch in a market with the highest quality requirements, namely medical technology. Engineering expertise meets design—a wonderful combination.
The “PARIS” pendant lamp consists of two light layers that run perpendicular to each other and can be controlled separately. What was your inspiration for this?
Simon Busse: The trademark feature of SparkShapes is the homogeneous light edge, and the idea was to make this appear as a line in space within a three-dimensional structure. The alternation of horizontal and vertical elements means that the light edge now contributes to the sculptural effect of “PARIS.” The surfaces are delicate and, thanks to their special coating, also act as gentle reflectors. Ambright's luminaire models were initially very two-dimensional, and I was tempted to create more three-dimensional designs whose elements could be placed both vertically and horizontally. In addition, the shape was to appear somewhat archetypal—despite the abstract surfaces, one can still see a traditional pendant luminaire in it.
Was there an idea that you were able to implement for the first time thanks to SparkShapes technology?
Simon Busse: The transition from sketch to product is perfect with “PARIS.” SparkShapes allow the lines of a drawing to be translated without having to add any additional volume.
So, is it possible to bring a minimalist sketch to life 1:1 with SparkShapes?
Simon Busse: Exactly, because subsequent production is no problem, as the material is defined from the outset.
“PARIS” was exhibited at this year's Salone del Mobile in Milan in cooperation with the furniture brand Yomei. What reactions did you get from visitors to the design?
Simon Busse: Although we were only a small part of the whole, I was able to talk to many visitors, and the positive response even before the market launch surprised us all. With “PARIS,” we were able to challenge the viewing habits of the audience, as its structure is more minimalist and delicate than one would normally expect from structures of this kind.
What are the next steps with Ambright?
Simon Busse: Fortunately, even before the official launch, we have already received inquiries from retail partners who would like to include the light in their product range. Thanks to its small size, it can also be packaged very flat for logistics purposes. And with regard to Ambright's technology, we are currently testing the limits of what is currently possible, which is very exciting.
