Swaas AB

Rooted in Sanskrit, Meaning ‘Breath’.

Our journey began as my 2020 student project at Lund University, merging decorative elements with cordless lighting.

When I, Akshay (India), met Milan (Australia) by chance in Sweden, we bonded over a shared passion for well-being and we formalized our venture into Swaas AB, a private limited company.

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, we realized the project's potential in well-being during the long, isolated dark winter.

Over the next three years, we immersed ourselves in refining every aspect of the design.

Lund, 2021-2024

V1.2021

Modular Everything.

Disappointed by the planned-obsolescence approach of major manufacturers, and learning that the lighting industry was one of the first to embrace it, we committed ourselves to excelling at every detail of our design.

Thus, we worked with handblown Swedish artisan glass, advanced machining, and the best available LED lighting and battery technology to help stand the test of time.

ISSUE! V1.2021

Takes long to set-up the décor.

Limited décor possibilities.

Weak Stability.

Cannot be carried or moved easily.

CMF

Honoring the Authenticity of Materials.

The luminaire's design aimed to highlight its decorative elements while staying true to the inherent nature of the materials and processes used, ensuring they are safe for the environment.

Inspired by the exquisite anodized aluminum finishes in B&O products, we went through multiple iterations of surface finishes and anodizing to achieve the desired shimmer in the metal.

R&D

Science and Spectrums.

To maximize performance and lifespan, LED and IC component temperatures were analyzed under various conditions to prevent heat-related damage.

A portable spectrometer validated LED specifications and helped us choose an optical diffuser for soft, bright, and efficient lighting.

Advanced OLED lighting was also evaluated given its wafer-thin profile and negating the use of a diffuser.

V2. 2022

Sleek and Easy.

To improve upon the delicate time consuming assembly, we introduced a cradle-like frame made of symmetrically bent stainless steel rods, precisely welded for durability.

We reduced user's cognitive effort by making it intuitive and fun to change the bowl with decorations, akin to swapping records.

To rapidly test this design that would otherwise involve programming wire bending machines and making fixtures for precision welding, we 3D-printed this frame in SS 316 metal.

V3. 2023

Balanced and Delicate.

Building upon the cradle philosophy, we left no stone unturned in making the design robust and foolproof.

A rim was added at the bottom of the frame where the bowl would securely slot into due to gravity so that even if the lamp was tilted at 45 degrees or knocked, it would not fall off.

We also explored classical variations to integrate the design into diverse lighting ecosystems and tested with 3D-printed wood-mix PLA, sand, metal, and nylon for material versatility.