At first glance, the Lofty lantern appears monolithic, a soft, sculptural form wrapped in an opaque textile skin. Its surface reveals little, concealing the complexity within. But with the addition of light, be it from within or an outside source, it transforms.
When illuminated, the interlocking wooden structure becomes visible through the now semi-transparent fabric. Shadows animate the surface, turning the solid volume into a layered compositional dialogue between inner frame and outer skin.
Here, transparency isn’t fixed. It shifts with light, surface tension, and the behavior of materials. When unlit, the cotton-spandex skin reads as completely opaque. Once illuminated, it selectively reveals the structure beneath. The fabric stretches unevenly, creating a multi-layered lighting effect. Part glow, part shadow, part subtle impression of the frame.
The design balances control with unpredictability. The internal wooden frame is engineered and designed with precision, while the outer skin is intentionally under-constrained. Its final form is shaped by key anchor points and the natural tension of the fabric, producing a result that is consistent in logic yet subtly unique in form each time.
Throughout development, shadow became central to the piece’s identity. Though technically a light fixture, it’s the shadows that give it character. The frame not only supports the structure but casts intersecting lines and gradients, defining the form as much through darkness as illumination. As light interacts with the uneven surface, fading effects emerge that shift with angle and time of day, creating a dynamic visual experience.
The Lofty Lantern is designed with both flexibility and longevity in mind. The structure is flat-packed and assembled without tools, allowing for efficient transport and intuitive setup while preserving the integrity of the form. Designed as a removable element, the exterior skin is machine washable, reinforcing the lantern’s practicality and longevity without compromising its sculptural presence. Each piece is individually handcrafted and made to order in the AMN workshop in Melbourne, Australia. Additionally, every lantern is assigned a unique identification number, logged and recorded to ensure authenticity and trace its origin.
At present, the Lofty Lantern is offered in a single standard size, with a considered range of frame colour options. While this version establishes the core proportions and material language of the design, the system has been conceived with scalability in mind. Larger formats and custom dimensions are possible, allowing the lantern to adapt to different spatial contexts and architectural requirements as needed.
Designed by Merric French for Any Minute Now.
