A Sugarcane And Hemp Suspended Light To Illuminate Office Spaces Sustainably

In today’s world, finding sustainable solutions is more important than ever. Sometimes, the best innovations come from rethinking old ideas. Working together is key in this effort, combining knowledge and resources to create products that meet today’s challenges. This is exactly what Norwegian studio Snøhetta and lighting brand Ateljé Lyktan have done with their new office lamp, the Superdupertube, setting a new standard for sustainable lighting.

Designers: Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan

This partnership isn’t entirely new. It began with The 7th Room, a stunning cabin in the treetops of northern Sweden, where Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan first teamed up to create unique lighting solutions. The Superdupertube uses materials that reflect Snøhetta’s commitment to regenerative design. The project started years ago with a team of architects and designers working with Ateljé Lyktan to find locally sourced materials with a smaller environmental impact. Hemp was chosen for its strong fibers and low environmental impact, cutting CO2 emissions by over 50% compared to traditional aluminum.

Working with suppliers Bergman’s and Trifilon, Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan explored sustainable materials. After testing pine cones and coffee grounds, they discovered hemp fiber. Superdupertube is the first project to use hemp-based material in an extrusion process. Hemp provided the necessary strength, and when mixed with sugarcane starch, it met the functional needs while staying true to the commitment to sustainability. Hemp grows abundantly and doesn’t deplete the soil.

Designed as a versatile office lamp, Superdupertube comes in four lengths and features a diagonal louver to reduce glare.

Superdupertube is a modern take on Ateljé Lyktan’s Supertube, a 1970s office light made from extruded aluminum. The simple design of the original Supertube caught Snøhetta’s attention, sparking a mission to update it for today’s ecological needs. After experimenting with various materials, they chose a composite of Dutch hemp and sugarcane-derived PLA bioplastic. This new material, free from fossil fuels, is sustainable and strong, making it a perfect alternative to aluminum.

The suspended light is a blend of craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. Its main body is created through extrusion, with injection-molded louvers and side covers giving it an organic look. Even the electric cables are wrapped in linen fabric, creating a natural feel. The lamp can be composted or recycled into pellets for future lamps, minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

The natural color of hemp means each lamp is unique, with variations in color and light temperature. The LED strips emit a warm tone through the material, available in two color temperatures: 4000K (adjusted to 3800K ambient light) and 3000K (adjusted to 2800K ambient light). Using PLA material from sugarcane and reinforced with hemp fibers, the lamp’s environmental footprint is significantly reduced.

Superdupertube uses various production techniques, including injection-molded louvers and side covers. Dimmable LED strips, encased within twisted louvers, offer visual appeal and practical lighting, making it ideal for modern offices. Available in four lengths, each lamp features an organic beige hue with natural patterns from the hemp composite, adding individuality to every piece.

Recognizing that most of a lamp’s environmental impact occurs during use, Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan focused on efficiency, incorporating smart lighting systems to reduce energy consumption and extend the lamp’s lifespan. The design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, with components sliding into place without glue and minimal screws, making it easy to replace parts and update lighting technology.