MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

Published

3 February 2014

The Rubiks cube, a tricky 3D puzzle that exploded in popularity in the 80’s, was the inspiration behind Hugo, the latest lighting product released by Sydney design studio, ChristelH.

“At first glance, most people look at the Rubiks cube and see a toy, but it is much more than that. Behind the coloured stickers and playful expression is a genius piece of design. The Rubiks cube represents novelty, problem solving, and memory stimulation. We created Hugo as a reference to the way we approach our work in this same manner; playful yet sophisticated.”

It simply validates the words stated by designer Charles Eames; ‘Toys are not really as innocent as they look. Toys and games are preludes to serious ideas.”

Described as a light that combines playfulness with modernity, Hugo is made from 36 timber struts that are interlocked together to form a cube frame. Using a warm white round globe enables soft and defined shadows to illuminate from the light source, adding atmosphere to high ceiling interior spaces. “We wanted this piece to provide a sort of novel engagement, and therefore using timber was an appropriate material for this design, as it also provides a sense of warmth and timeless beauty.”