Stemma - Family Tree

Lead Designers Martin Doller

Entry Description

The world’s largest residential chandelier, akin more to a sculptural art piece, was conceived and crafted over three years. An iterative design process drew upon several disciplines and nature for a final product that spans over 15m in length, 5m across, is 6m tall, and weighs 1000kg.

Stemma, inspired by nature’s beauty, mimics a sun-dappled forest with cascading lights resembling sunlight through branches. Creating a soft, natural glow, bringing the serenity of the outdoors into the home. This coupled with the light being in the centre of a family home also led us to its naming. Stemma – Latin for family tree, echoes how we looked at creating the entire lighting experience. Beyond the sheer scale of Stemma, the light will be suspended from a 9m high glass and steel skylight.

Several 3D magnetic scale models of the piece were created to ensure the anchoring, electrical, and other technical components were perfectly executed.

Copious hours of working with the leading Patina specialist was an aspect which allowed for the creation of a unique sculpture made of a finish requiring four layers of colours and textures across three hundred and fifty leaves. The intricate design elements and the time put into Stemma’s creation ensured that the piece will create a lifelong impression for the homeowner.

Sustainability Approach

Sustainability was a central pillar in the design of Stemma. Crafted entirely from aluminum, one of the most recyclable materials available, the chandelier exemplifies environmental responsibility. With 150 energy-efficient LED light sources, Stemma optimizes energy usage. 50 of these LEDs operate on 48 volts each, while the remaining 100 require only 5 volts each, further enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the chandelier.

To minimize our carbon footprint, Stemma was meticulously designed for disassembly, allowing its thousands of components to be individually separated. This feature not only facilitates efficient transport but also ensures that the entire chandelier could be compactly packed into a 6-meter container for seamless shipping from Cape Town to Nigeria. This approach significantly reduces fuel consumption and supports our commitment to sustainability.

Company Description

Lighting Design Brand: Product and Architectural.