Ahm x Lund — Ray
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Ray by AHM x LUND examines the unity of honest natural materials and delicate illumination in order to introduce a new approachability to lighting design. With a circular geometry that references the growth patterns of a tree, Ray champions the individual characteristics of Oregon pine through its large scale, allowing the timbers natural texture and grain to become the hero. By concealing LED lighting within a slit to one side of its circular form, Ray conveys a feeling of peeking into the soul or spirit of pine wood, treating the material as alive and present within its environment. The result is a lamp that is equal parts sculpture and illuminant through a form that challenges traditional lighting typologies.
Ray has been realised with support from Nationalbankens Jubilæumsfond, Beckett-Fonden, Snedkersind, Møbelsnedkeri Kjeldtoft, Modelmager Morten Lyhne, Ingemann Components, Einar Risør Finérhandel.
Material and dimensions:
Oregon Pine, LED Light Source, Steel Wire.
120 x 120 x 8cm.
Year:
2025
PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
Benjamin Lund
LONG DESCRIPTION:
Ray is the culmination of AHM x LUND’s yearlong deep dive into the world of pine. Instigated through a pine symposium in 2024, the pair explored pine from historical and biological traits to the chemical characteristics of the under-valued timber species. Alluded to by its name, Ray is a large 1.2m diameter suspended light that references the suns beams that sustain growth, but also the medullary rays that store and transport a tree’s nutrients. A tree of the same diameter as this lamp would grow to be 100 years of age, with its growth noted through two annual rings – a lighter spring wood, and darker autumn tone. By brushing one side of the pine surface using the Japanese Uzukuri technique, the shifting density of the growth rings is exposed and further accentuated by an LED light source that allows the wood’s anatomy to transform through a fluid play of light and shadow. Thanks to the low heat emission of this light source, Ray demonstrates an innovative combination of light and wood through an object that unites expert craft with an architectural approach to functionality. Suspended from two steel support wires, the unique duality of Ray’s composition allows the sculptural light source to appear direct – bounced off the expanding wooden surface, or as an illuminated eclipse within various spatial environments.
DESIGNER BIO:
AHM x LUND
Isabel Shalby Ahm.
Designer & Architect, born 1980.
Signe Østergaard Lund.
Designer & Cabinetmaker, born 1991.
With a commitment to research-led and highly artistic outcomes across furniture, objects and lighting, Isabel Ahm and Signe Lund utilise their individual skills and training to enhance one- another through their collaborative design practice AHM x LUND. Based within the eclectic and diverse Nordvest district on the outskirts of Copenhagen, their studio mirrors the neighbourhood through an openness that invites discussion both internally and through external symposiums and debates. Working closely across all aspects of both speculative and commercially based projects; Isabel provides a sharp conceptual and contextual eye to their work, whilst Signe highlights a detail driven approach to craft and material; together they form a symbiosis, merging their strengths through a shared process where each contributes at every stage of each project. Combined, their respective qualities instil their body of work with a strong and concise narrative base through objects that highlight the ability of quality materials and expert craftsmanship to create pieces that stand the test of time across generations.
EDUCATION:
Isabel Ahm
2007: MA, Furniture Architect, Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Signe Lund
2023: Diploma, Process Facilitation and Execution, Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2017: Cabinet Maker, NEXT, Copenhagen, Denmark.
GRANTS & HONOURS:
2025: Project Grant, The National Banks Anniversary Foundation, Denmark.
2025: Residency, The Danish Arts Workshops, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2024: Working Grant, Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2024: Residency, The Danish Arts Workshops, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2024: Project Grant, Verner Overgaard, LF Foghts Foundation, Bispebjerg, Denmark.
2023: Working Grant, The National Banks Anniversary Foundation, Denmark.
2023: Residency, The Danish Arts Workshops, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2022: Product of the Year, Lighting, Mixology22, Denmark.
2022: Residency, The Danish Arts Workshops, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2022: Wallpaper Design Awards, Musling for Fritz Hansen, International.
EXHIBITIONS:
2024: Group Exhibition, (R)evolution, Cabinetmakers Autumn Exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2023: Group Exhibition, Danish Design Makers, 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2022: Group Exhibition, Factory, Cabinetmakers Autumn Exhibition, Amager, Denmark.
2022: Group Exhibition, Danish Design Makers, Danish Design Makers, NeoCon, Cologne, Germany.
2022: Solo Exhibition, Symposium, Officinet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2022: Group Exhibition, Danish Design Makers, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021: Group Exhibition, Time Tact Tone, Cabinetmakers Autumn Exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021: Group Exhibition, Circular Furniture Days, Design Museum Danmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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