K Lamp

Our contest entry re-imagines the iconic K Lamp while drawing inspiration from the quote by Greek philosopher Anaxagoras: “Nothing is born or perishes, but already existing things combine and then separate again.” The lamp’s body and shade are created through a bio-fabrication process that combines mycelium with other natural materials like rice hulls in a mold, resulting in a stable, spongy yet firm shape. When it’s time for separation, the lamp’s electrical components can be easily removed, and the myco-parts can be soaked in water to begin the decomposition process. The resulting vessel can then be filled with seeds from the package included with the lamp, and buried in the garden, starting the philosophical combination process anew. Additionally, the lamp features a tube of eco-glue for assembly at home and a plant-able two-piece tray that nests inside the body halves, serving as packaging for the components during shipping to minimize waste.