Photo credit: Futurewave
Knit is a lighting design system made by a Belgium-based creative product studio, Futurewave. The luminaire combines woven textile and integrated lighting electronics. Rather than being restricted to a mere decorative shell, the textile becomes an integral part of the lighting structure and diffusion.
Luminaire made of recycled plastic
The Knit lamp is made from recycled plastic through additive manufacturing in line with the company’s belief that all furniture should be self-sufficient and sustainable. Shaped as a closed loop, the lamp is perfectly adjusted to correspond to the 3D printing machine. Additive manufacturing is known for reducing waste compared to other production styles. The “vase-mode” structure of the object enables continuous printing without interruption, thus saving time and energy. Soft organic curves are juxtaposed with the repetitive perpendicular layering lines marked by the printer that influence the refraction of the light. This juxtaposition is an important element in the aesthetic vocabulary of Knit, showcasing the relevance of its materials.
Futurewave developed the Knit lighting system from early product architecture. The manufacturable system combines texture, construction, lighting behaviour and implanted electronics as one integrated lighting object. This system results in a luminaire that brings a notion of a soft, handcrafted presence, but still maintains the precise functionality of a fully engineered connected lighting system, ready for industrial production.
Futurewave: The future of design
Futurewave is an award-winning creative product studio based in Zaventem, Belgium. Working at the intersection of software, electronics engineering and industrial design, the company manufactures technology-driven physical products, from the initial concept to production. Their portfolio spans electronics, furniture, transportation, and product design, including iXi, a self-driving golf trolley, a digital ink frame, and electric bikes.
Futurewave places its focus on medical equipment that improves the lives of patients and medical professionals alike, including Pause, a cryogenic freezer for organ preservation, Kanodo, an interactive voice assistant for caregivers, Memoria, an AI assistant for people with dementia, and O-Boy smartwatch for emergencies. Knit, a connected lighting product, reflects a broader direction in Futurewave’s work, bringing together tactile, human-centred materials and the technical precision required to develop advanced physical products.
By turning recycled material and digital fabrication into defining design elements, Knit presents a thoughtful approach to sustainable, technology-driven product design. Its design combines a strong focus on touch and user experience with product architecture, electronics integration and design for manufacturing, creating a balance between a warm, organic character and the technical demands of modern product development.
