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Samara
By : Mike Randall Design
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN 19th edition
Discipline : Product
Categories : Lighting / Custom & Small-Series Lighting Fixture : Grand Winner
The Samara chandelier was born from a commission for Montauk Sofa’s new Toronto showroom, an opportunity to explore sculptural lighting at the scale of a chandelier. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese maples in my garden and a desire to create something quintessentially Canadian without becoming cliché, I turned to the winged maple seed as the foundation for the concept.
From the outset, I wanted the light source itself to carry visual interest. This led to the development of a brass screen that breaks and diffuses the light in a subtle yet expressive way. The true turning point came during a visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, where a pendant by Milanese jeweller James Rivière inspired a reworking of the form, creating a striking juxtaposition between architectural and organic elements.
Samara uses OLED panels in place of conventional LEDs, creating a uniform, glare-free field of light that reinforces its quiet, atmospheric presence. The technology offers strong energy performance and long lifespan, supporting a responsible approach to sustainability. The fixture is fully serviceable, with accessible components designed for maintenance and replacement, ensuring long-term technical and material longevity.
The result is a chandelier that embodies movement, structure, and natural form. Fully customizable in size, configuration, and wood finish, Samara adapts to its environment, from intimate residential spaces to grand vaulted interiors, while maintaining a consistent narrative of light, nature, and craft.
Collaboration
Lighting : Mike Randall Design
Photo credit