OBJ-03 / Manu Bañó

Architects: Manu Bañó
Photographs: Manu Bañó
City: Mexico City
Country: Mexico

OBJ-03, a sculptural lamp by Manu Bañó, is crafted from a single sheet of weathered steel, shaped through paper-cutting experiments before being translated into thin steel sheets. The two-millimeter-thick oxidized steel features a single curve, serving as both a support leg and a light projection surface. A steel bar at the back conceals an LED strip, casting soft light while adding stability. The rusted finish was achieved by one month of outdoor weathering, then sealed to halt oxidation. Bañó initially used polished steel, but reflections from the hidden LED strip led to the oxidized finish, ensuring a unique, non-uniform texture.

Designer Manu Bañó crafted OBJ-03, a sculptural lamp, using a single sheet of weathered steel, aiming to create it with the fewest possible elements. The minimalist design of OBJ-03 is characterized by a folded sheet of oxidized steel, developed through experiments with cutting and folding paper.

Manu Bañó explained that the lamp was designed by experimenting with multiple cuts and various folds on sheets of paper. Manu Bañó stated that the intention was to use thin sheets of steel for the final piece, and conducting all the tests on paper was the most logical approach.

The lamp is constructed from a two-millimeter-thick sheet of rusted steel, featuring a single curve that serves as both a supporting leg for stability and a light projection surface. Manu Bañó stated that every element is essential, emphasizing that the design is intended to function as a sculpture during the day and a light source at night, rather than resembling a traditional lamp. A steel bar at the back of the lamp hides an LED strip, which casts a soft light onto the curved surface. The steel bar also enhances stability, providing weight that enables the lamp to stand independently.

The lamp’s rusted surface was created by exposing the steel to outdoor weathering for a month, then cleaning and sealing it to stop the oxidation process. Manu Bañó explained that the first lamp was made from polished natural steel, but reflections from the hidden LED strip became visible on the curved section where the light bounces. Manu Bañó noted that the oxidized steel was preferred for its non-uniform finish, which enhances the simple geometry by adding character and ensuring each lamp is unique, as the rusting process never occurs identically.

Manu Bañó is a designer and architect based in Mexico City, where he co-founded EWE Studio and serves as an associate at Esrawe Studio. His first solo project was the metal OBJ-01 lamp.