Athos XL Lamp
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Furniture & Lighting
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Bolaji Teniola
Manufacturer Name:Armature Fabrication by: Nat Penney
Photo Credit:Connor Patterson
Project Location:Australia
Design Status:Prototype
Website: View
Product Description:
Athos XL is an example of craft-based resourcefulness and the championing of waste timber material. Comprised of a steel armature adorned with hand-planned pine shavings, this luminaire glows with a radiant hue, highlighting the natural textures and warmth of the pine. Its form, inspired by the once-industrial atmosphere of the iconic Malthouse Silos in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia, is softened by the naturally occurring folds and coils of the pine shavings, providing a visually poetic sense of movement.
Athos XL is an example of craft-based resourcefulness and the championing of waste timber material. Comprised of a steel armature adorned with hand-planned pine shavings, this luminaire glows with a radiant hue, highlighting the natural textures and warmth of the pine. Its form, inspired by the once-industrial atmosphere of the iconic Malthouse Silos in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia, is softened by the naturally occurring folds and coils of the pine shavings, providing a visually poetic sense of movement.
Product Innovation / Specification:
Athos XL is part of a series of luminaires that utilise a world-first process to produce contemporary lighting and sculptural objects from upcycled timber waste in the form of timber shavings. Influenced by a project that sought to highlight hidden architectural elements and materials, in this case, pine used for lightwood frame housing structures, Athos XL not only revitalises discarded timber in a decorative manner, but also adds value to the pine it is composed of.
Athos XL is part of a series of luminaires that utilise a world-first process to produce contemporary lighting and sculptural objects from upcycled timber waste in the form of timber shavings. Influenced by a project that sought to highlight hidden architectural elements and materials, in this case, pine used for lightwood frame housing structures, Athos XL not only revitalises discarded timber in a decorative manner, but also adds value to the pine it is composed of.
Product Sustainability Approach:
Athos XL stands as a testament to the potential and viability of sustainably sourced timber offcuts for producing contemporary craft and design. As the climate crisis grows ever-present, we must continue to take steps to move away from linear, extractive, non-renewable design production to, instead, circular, non-extractive methods. The timber for Athos XL is sourced from offcuts discarded from workshops, destined for landfill or for use as firewood. Utilising the tactile manual process of hand planning to produce timber shavings not only eliminates the need for machine use but also enables the maker to focus on the dialogue between hand and material and devise suitable applications for the shavings. Athos XL is a repairable lamp, as the timber can be layered further to patch any markings, rips or tears that might occur during its lifetime. The use of stainless steel for the armature was also deliberate, as it is 100% recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing structural integrity.
Athos XL stands as a testament to the potential and viability of sustainably sourced timber offcuts for producing contemporary craft and design. As the climate crisis grows ever-present, we must continue to take steps to move away from linear, extractive, non-renewable design production to, instead, circular, non-extractive methods. The timber for Athos XL is sourced from offcuts discarded from workshops, destined for landfill or for use as firewood. Utilising the tactile manual process of hand planning to produce timber shavings not only eliminates the need for machine use but also enables the maker to focus on the dialogue between hand and material and devise suitable applications for the shavings. Athos XL is a repairable lamp, as the timber can be layered further to patch any markings, rips or tears that might occur during its lifetime. The use of stainless steel for the armature was also deliberate, as it is 100% recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing structural integrity.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
I believe the impact of Athos XL will ultimately be determined by the people who encounter and make use of this lamp. Much like the iconic luminaires of the 20th century, Athos XL’s importance won’t be truly known until it has passed through the cultural zeitgeist. However, by trusting in the wisdom of consumers and their innate inclination to gravitate towards timeless pieces that will not only sit harmoniously in their homes but also live with them for many years, which, in its own way, is a form of sustainability, people will grow to see that Athos XL stands as a viable representation of upcycled waste timber and the possibilities of this form of material.
I believe the impact of Athos XL will ultimately be determined by the people who encounter and make use of this lamp. Much like the iconic luminaires of the 20th century, Athos XL’s importance won’t be truly known until it has passed through the cultural zeitgeist. However, by trusting in the wisdom of consumers and their innate inclination to gravitate towards timeless pieces that will not only sit harmoniously in their homes but also live with them for many years, which, in its own way, is a form of sustainability, people will grow to see that Athos XL stands as a viable representation of upcycled waste timber and the possibilities of this form of material.
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Bolaji Teniola
Profile Description:
Bolaji Teniola is an interdisciplinary designer practising in Tarntanya (Adelaide). With an Associate Degree in Furniture Design and a Bachelor of Industrial Design from RMIT University, Teniola blends the knowledge gained from these disciplines to develop pieces that sit at the intersection of art, craft, and design. Moved by intrigue and a fascination with materiality, stemming from experience gained working for design studios locally and abroad, Teniola finds joy in allowing the process to unearth pragmatic solutions, channelling these results to exhibitions and commissions.
Bolaji Teniola is an interdisciplinary designer practising in Tarntanya (Adelaide). With an Associate Degree in Furniture Design and a Bachelor of Industrial Design from RMIT University, Teniola blends the knowledge gained from these disciplines to develop pieces that sit at the intersection of art, craft, and design. Moved by intrigue and a fascination with materiality, stemming from experience gained working for design studios locally and abroad, Teniola finds joy in allowing the process to unearth pragmatic solutions, channelling these results to exhibitions and commissions.
Previous Awards Won:
2023 Domaine de Boisbuchet Scholarship - JamFactory 2022 Object, Furniture and Lighting (Rising) - IDEA Awards 2022 Design Futures Award - Design Fringe Melbourne 2022 Best Experimental Design Award - Design Fringe Melbourne 2021 Australian Graduate Of The Year - Design Institute of Australia 2021 Graduate Of The Year (VIC / TAS) - Design Institute of Australia 2021 Furniture Graduate Of The Year (VIC / TAS) - Design Institute of Australia
2023 Domaine de Boisbuchet Scholarship - JamFactory 2022 Object, Furniture and Lighting (Rising) - IDEA Awards 2022 Design Futures Award - Design Fringe Melbourne 2022 Best Experimental Design Award - Design Fringe Melbourne 2021 Australian Graduate Of The Year - Design Institute of Australia 2021 Graduate Of The Year (VIC / TAS) - Design Institute of Australia 2021 Furniture Graduate Of The Year (VIC / TAS) - Design Institute of Australia
