Introducing the Sailing Lantern by BALMUDA
A precisely engineered, beautifully crafted light inspired by classic maritime design.
LoveFrom and BALMUDA have unveiled the Sailing Lantern, a stunning and functional lighting solution intended to last for generations. This collaborative effort embodies a shared ethos around creativity and the power of partnership.
Creating a Timeless Piece
"It has been a considerable honour and enormously enjoyable to create our lantern with Gen and his wonderful team at BALMUDA," shared Jony Ive, the founder of LoveFrom. Nostalgically reflecting on his youth, he stated, "As a young boy, I adored sailing and spending time on water." This personal connection to sailing inspired the design process.
The Sailing Lantern was developed and crafted for maritime conditions. While its modern materials and design elements are innovative, they evoke a comforting familiarity with traditional nautical lanterns and Fresnel lamps. This design lineage retains the functional essence necessary for challenging environments.
Design Philosophy
Gen Terao, the founder of BALMUDA, expressed, "This collaboration is built on mutual respect and a shared obsession with the small, unseen details that shape our experience of an object. The Sailing Lantern is a light for life – durable, soulful, and quietly transformative." Terao's words highlight the synergy between the two brands, emphasizing their commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
Illuminating Innovation
The architectural design challenge focused on achieving a luminary quality reminiscent of the warmth and emotional connection often linked with fire and filament. Equipped with two LEDs, a rechargeable battery, and a digital control system, the Sailing Lantern combines emotional appeal with practical functionality. Users can adjust brightness and color temperature with a simple dial, transitioning from cool to warm light seamlessly.
When Jony first conceived the Sailing Lantern, he described it as a time capsule, capturing the essence of an ancient flame in a modern form. The ocean calls to human adventure, and this design encapsulates that timeless appeal within a sleek stainless steel housing.
Materials and Usability
The Sailing Lantern was crafted to ensure ease of maintenance, disassembly, and repair, promoting sustainability throughout its lifecycle. Utilized materials include flawless precision-ground and polished glass along with precision-machined stainless steel, offering longevity and resilience.
This lantern is versatile; it can stand freely, be suspended, or carried through its textured polyester lanyard, which is build to resist water, sun, and oil, secured with a corrosion-resistant stainless steel button.
Elegant Packaging and Availability
The thoughtful packaging design follows the lantern's geometry, featuring a structurally efficient paper cylinder and die-cut foam to securely hold the lantern, lanyard, and instruction manuals in place.
The Sailing Lantern retails for $4,800 (€4,500) and is part of a limited edition of just 1,000 units.
About BALMUDA
BALMUDA, a creative technology company founded in Tokyo in 2003, began its journey with a single prototype crafted in a humble apartment. Fueled by thoughtful design and innovative approaches, BALMUDA has become a leader in transforming everyday experiences into extraordinary moments. Founder and CEO Gen Terao emphasizes life's unquantifiable experiences—deliciousness, beauty, and comfort—as the cornerstone of the company's design philosophy.
About LoveFrom
LoveFrom stands as a creative collective encompassing architects, artists, engineers, and various designers. With studios in San Francisco and London, it was founded by Sir Jony Ive, who previously held a prominent design leadership position at Apple for nearly three decades. The innovative spirit of LoveFrom aims to push boundaries to create impactful design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sailing Lantern?
The Sailing Lantern is a collaborative lighting project by BALMUDA and LoveFrom, emphasizing modern design with a nautical heritage.
Who designed the Sailing Lantern?
Sir Jony Ive from LoveFrom and Gen Terao from BALMUDA collaborated on the design of the Sailing Lantern.
What features does the Sailing Lantern offer?
The lantern features adjustable brightness and color temperature and is designed for durability in maritime environments.
How is the Sailing Lantern powered?
It operates on a rechargeable battery, featuring two LEDs for illumination.
Where can I purchase the Sailing Lantern?
The Sailing Lantern is available for purchase directly through BALMUDA's website, limited to an edition of 1,000 units.
