SYZYGY collection by Os & Oos – All photos: courtesy of Os & Oos.

Dubai 2017 – In outer space, when three celestial bodies line up create a SYZYGY, an astronomical event that comes in many configurations such as eclipses, transits and occultations. Dutch studio Os & Oos created a collection lamps and a clock that replicates these astronomical phenomenons with a minimal design and an intriguing mechanism.

SYZYGY Phase clock.

The collection combines solid concrete volumes with overlapping discs made of glass and filters laminated on glass. Wood and rubber details complete the design.

The astronomical design effect is created by the rotation of the light filtering discs which are placed in front of the light source creating different geometries and shades.

Eclipse lamp by Os & Oos.

“The sun is a continuously never ending burning ball of fire. We experience night when our side of the Earth rotates away from it. The SYZYGY lamps are based on the same principle: the light source is constant. It always remain on” say Oskar Peet and Sophie Mensen, founders of Os & Oos.

“This physical blocking of the light was an important aspect in our concept, where a total of three different lights demonstrate the three different aspects of a syzygy; transit, occultation and eclipse”.

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A table lamp with a concrete pyramidal base and a circular luminous display projects design eclipses. The phenomenon occurs when a body disappears or partially disappears from view, either by an occultation, as with a solar eclipse, or by passing into the shadow of another body, as with a lunar eclipse.

An occultation occurs when an apparently larger body passes in front of an apparently smaller one. Inspired by that, Os & Oos designed a concrete parallelepiped nesting a round disk on a corner. Overlapping and rotating semi-circular filters create dimmable geometries.

Occultation table lamp.

A transit occurs when an apparently smaller body passes in front of an apparently larger one. The same concept is evident in a floor lamp featuring a small disk rotating within the dimmable perimeter of a larger disk. The two filters interact creating changeable luminous effects.

Transit floor lamp

syzygy phase clock is a light-responsive design making use of the same filters’ mechanism of the lamps. An internal computer draws ambient light readings from a light sensor (located in the moon like concrete cylinder lower right).

If the computer senses a change, it can rotate one of two stepper motors located outside the main light source to change the light filtering discs via rubber cables. If, for example, a cloud is to pass overhead, the light source is adjusted to compensate for the dip in light. This process continues all day long in order to tune with our sense of time.

Phase clock – detail.

Phases’ light functions also to indicate the hour of the day. “The final result is to bring sun’s ability to cast light upon our world but on a more human scale: working in combination with our new human rhythm.” Say the designers.

Eclipse table lamp.

All images by Os & Oos. Courtesy of Design Days Dubai.

Detail of Eclipse table lamp.