Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
University / School Name Parsons School fo Design
Lead Designers Preeyangka Manogaran
Professor Names Zac Feltoon
Photo Credits Preeyangka Manogaran
Completion Date 2024
Project Location New York City
Entry DescriptionVeil is a pendant light celebrating how light filters through wood veneer, merging traditional Indonesian craft with modern material innovation. Inspired by the layered rooflines of Javanese joglo architecture, it evokes the designer’s formative years in Indonesia.
Unlit, the lamp offers a sculptural silhouette in warm-toned wood; when illuminated, laser-engraved batik patterns emerge, recalling the storytelling tradition of Indonesian textiles. The shade is crafted from paper-backed white oak veneer that’s laser-cut and precisely engraved, then selectively burned to vary translucency and create contrast when backlit.
The frame is laser-cut plywood, stained warm brown to complement the veneer. Through extensive prototyping, from paper models to Solidworks 3D iterations and laser-cut tests, Veil demonstrates refined material manipulation, forging an emotional link between form, light, and the designer’s Indonesian roots.
Sustainability ApproachVeil embraces circularity by using FSC-certified white oak veneer and plywood offcuts alongside recycled paper backing, achieving a 90% material recovery rate from fabrication scrap. Precision laser nesting and optimized engraving settings minimize waste and reduce energy use. The integrated Leools T300 LED tubular bulb (12 W, 100 W equivalent, 4 000 K, 25 000 hr life) ensures exceptional energy efficiency and longevity. Constructed from a single material family, the lamp streamlines recycling at end-of-life, closing the loop on sustainable lighting design.
