From Adesso's new partnerships with European designers comes a lamp that goes beyond the common mold for high-design. From German industrial designer Hans Nopper, the Kiu LED desk lamp reflects Nopper's experiences with robotics, consumer electronics and shape memory alloys. The lamp has an adjustable arm that miraculously extends from 0"" to 18"", and all points in between. The arm also adjusts 45° up and down. The honeycomb shade is made of magnesium and contains a 7W LED. The sleek Chrome finished spherical base stands 5"" tall, from which the extended arm slowly retracts on its own at the push of a button. The lamp can swivel 360° on its base and the shade adjusts 120° for flexibility in directing the task light. DESIGNER BIO: Hans Nopper, born in 1967, studied Industrial Design in Stuttgart, Germany at the State Academy of Arts, one of the most prestigious design schools in Germany boasting a 250 year history. Before founding his current lighting design company “Iulite”, he was designing for several international clients and research institutes. His works have received several international design awards (ex: winner of the Red Dot award, IF award, etc.). The Red Dot competition dates back to 1954 and is one of the world’s largest and most distinguished design competitions.His distinctive passion for high-tech and new materials is revealed in the scope of his work. Ranging from autonomous robots to numerous products in consumer electronics, like smart phones or GPS-watches to interactive lighting built from shape-memory alloy. Hans also has a design, the “Nopperection” which made it into the collection of the legendary lighting designer Ingo Maurer in 1996. Now Hans Nopper’s main efforts are in lighting design with new creations for the Iulilte and Adesso. The Adesso Smart Switch brings science to lighting, promoting health and well-being to the average consumer home. Adesso does this without compromising design, and without the high price points. The Adesso Smart Switch is designed to be adjustable in order to sync with the human circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm refers to your sleep/wake cycle and is influenced by sunlight. By adjusting your lamp's color temperature throughout the day you will simulate the natural progression of the sun, helping to regulate the body's internal clock to improve sleep habits and overall personal health. For example, turning your lamp on full brightness at a cool color temperature (such as 5,000K) will signal the brain to wake up and be alert, reducing melatonin production. This would be best to use during the day while you are indoors, simulating the sunlight you should be receiving while the sun is high in the sky. Dimming your lamp and setting the color temperature to a warm 2,700K would be best to use while reading before bed. This type of light simulates the sunset, and send signals to your brain to produce melatonin, helping you to fall asleep easier.
