A preview of our new porcelain lamp collection
We are delighted to share a preview of an innovative new lamp collection designed collaboratively by Zachary Hanna and Shelley Simpson for Mud Australia, available for presale in the coming months. To be the first to know when each lamp is available, sign up here.
The collection was revealed last week at Melbourne Design Week, partnering with the Robin Boyd Foundation at their iconic Walsh Street residence in South Yarra.
Photography by Sean Fennessey.
Shelley had been musing on a Mud Australia lamp collection for years but knew that the design componentry needed a custom solution and the skills of an industrial designer. She first met Zac at an event in 2018 and, when she couldn’t get the lamps out of her mind, reached out in 2021 to discuss how collaborating with each other might work.
The lamp collection grew from a comprehensive study of Mud’s existing silhouettes and forms. Suitable forms from the existing range were identified, and assembled into arrangements that suited the dispersion of light, inverting bowls to become shades, introducing voids to allow the passage of light, and folding over edges to create a detail that allowed for ease of production and connection to the internal frame, while becoming a design detail common across the lamps.
Crucial to the collection has been each designer's understanding of the other’s process. Over the design period, Zac conducted research on Mud's process and existing design language, even creating CAD models in his own studio to help finesse the intricate solutions needed. Shelley's expertise in pushing the boundaries of porcelain production proved invaluable in resolving structural issues and shaping the final designs. Throughout the process, both designers collaborated closely, offering ideas and jointly problem-solving to create new products that truly reflects their shared vision.
The use of stainless steel for the frames and functional elements is a strong component in two of the lamps. The uncoated, brushed finish of the steel felt innately compatible with the unglazed porcelain, both being raw, natural and tactile materials. The resulting designs are a happy marriage of our refined porcelain-making processes and the precise technical functionality of intuitive modern lighting.
We are proud to share these three truly unique pieces with you.
Pop Lamp
A versatile cordless and portable LED lamp made from a single piece of handmade porcelain. With a soft and dimmable light source, it is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Available in an initial release of 6 colors - Blossom, Duck Egg, Dust, Orange, Red and Slate.
Flared Table Lamp
A timeless lamp for intimate spaces, made from three handmade porcelain pieces. The lamp's light source is cleverly nestled within the base, casting a warm glow. Available in an initial release of colors - Blossom, Dust and Slate.
Flared Floor Lamp
A multifunctional lamp comprising handmade porcelain and brushed stainless steel. It’s intuitive tilt mechanism allows it to be easily pivoted and cantilevered for focused reading or ambient lighting. Available in an initial release of 3 colors - Blossom, Dust and Slate.
The resulting collection couldn’t have come together better, and it’s a real turning point in Mud’s development to be able to move into a whole new design category. Zac's design empathy for porcelain production, and his fresh perspective has enabled us to achieve a seamless embodiment of Mud's design aesthetic and contemporary lighting.
The Mud Australia Lamp collection will be available for pre-order over the coming months, starting with the Flared Table Lamp. To be the first to know when each lamp is available, sign up here.
View imagery from our preview event captured at Walsh Street, the iconic modernist residence designed by Robin Boyd in 1957. Photography by Kenneth Suico.
