“One shape fits all”…. But they’re all different!

An idea created in 2017 by a mechanical engineer and an architect, Matthew Spiteri and Sean Buttigieg gave birth to a business adventure called Shapelamp that had the sole objective of revolutionising the process, and experience, of buying a light fitting. …. basically, a lamp shape recalling a Vietnamese style that is adaptable as needed to fit the clients’ wants and needs, no matter how different they are.

So Shapelamp is all about lamps…. but with a difference!

The idea was born with Sean as the creative mind behind Shapelamp and Matthew as the technical mind behind the creations that result from their input. That they both have experience in lighting concepts is a key factor in how the creations developed. Between the both of them they have the exact skill sets for such a creative collaboration.

“The Shapelamp concept is based around design software which is as complex in its ‘back-end’ as it is simple in its GUI * ”; an application which can be accessed from their website by their clients who can then actually put their own design together through it. “Behind the application,” explains Nick, “there is the logic of the application itself. It goes way beyond what you see online. We can say that the application has its own mind as it can even help you to change materials or to choose different concepts. It has hundreds of options.” He explained that the clients have all these options available at their fingertips to make his or her own options and ideas come alive.

The Shapelamp concept is based around design software which is as complex in its ‘back-end’ as it is simple in its GUI*

Nick continued to explain that notwithstanding the high level of customisation allowed by the software, it is nonetheless computed to disallow customer-imposed design flaws. “That said,” Nick added, “architects and interior designers’ log-in unlocks the software to a higher level of customisability.” In any case, we are assured that every Shapelamp customer is perfectly able to design a unique lamp, thus placing his or her signature on the lamps’ designs.

The initial basic shape available to the client comes on a grid format on their screen and the software will assist its user to come up with a feasible design. “Through this marvellous infrastructure, therefore, one can mix designs, even by increasing the thickness of certain parts to one’s liking… or changing wood type. The vectoring and all other technical calculations are automatically computed by the software itself,” Matthew enthuses.

architects and interior designers’ log-in unlocks the software to a higher level of customisability

“It’s all automated,” he said. In fact, the design language used was created specifically for them, to their requirements and International software developers were then engaged to code it so that it functions as the client wishes it to – without having to worry about needing an advanced sense of technical software knowledge. “It’s surprising how complicated it is but at the same time how simple it is to use,” he explained.

WHO’S THE CUSTOMER?
The family who wishes to change or upgrade their domestic lighting are not Shapelamp’s sole obvious prime candidates. And what Shapelamp is offering here is particularly ideal for the professionals, such as the interior designers or the creative lighting specialists who obviously now have a very handy opportunity of either presenting default designs, or better still, creating and generating lighting concepts for their clients with their personal touch and signature; thus releasing a wonderful light fitting which will be unique to the location wherein they will be placed.

“Our concept is difficult to describe in words since it is not just an ordinary lamp as one perceives but it creates an ambience… concurrently casting shadows and light thereby changing the atmosphere of the room one is in,” he commented.

Shapelamp has already been recognised by restaurants and boutique hotels for its ambient changing potential in Malta as well as north European countries. It is particularly liked by retail outlets who wish to give a particular ambience and feel.

it creates an ambience… concurrently casting shadows and light thereby changing the atmosphere of the room

Nick explained that their price structure allows for the encouraging of strong collaborations with professionals who can recommend better products to their clients and who also have a hand in their actual design. “We offer a more advanced tool through a special section of our website which is dedicated to the professionals themselves. It will also be upgraded shortly with a more in-depth algorithm and these more advanced features will then further assist the professionals in giving their clients even more beautiful work,” added Nick.

Moving on to property developers, Nick said that in his opinion, the possibilities that Shapelamp offers will greatly enhance the living zones of new properties being placed on the market. “Great lighting can focus direction away from awkward areas and highlight the property’s premium zones. It can enhance space, and the feeling of spaciousness,” he enthuses.

“Shapelamp’s products are not off-the- shelf lighting concepts so they are ideal for the individualism that prestigious homes of this type seek. In any case our products are bound to be the focus point of any room they’re placed in,” he explained

LET’S TALK TECHNOLOGY
It is clear that one of Shapelamp’s unique advantages is that every installation can be as personalised as the customer wishes it to be. Nick mentioned as an apt example of this personalisation is St Julian’s parish church, which had created and commissioned for it a specific lighting feature based on their own concepts and requirements.

Shapelamp’s products are not off-the- shelf lighting concepts so they are ideal for the individualism that prestigious homes seek

This unique level of customisation has been made possible through Shapelamp’s unique back-end software. “There obviously have been various challenges that had to be faced and developed,” Nick explained, adding that the main challenge has been to create an efficient platform that streamlines the process of converting a concept, to an editable 3D model to a CNC cutting file which is optimised and suitable for their needs.

“Luckily for us, the software that we use allows this process to be very efficient. It is important to note that the design stages of their script were far from simple, yet this has created the beauty that one finds in the Shapelamp algorithm.”

He added that the minimalist interface is backed by a very intricate system which has been built over several years and is constantly evolving. “Finding the right people and tools was not easy but the end result has been worth all the effort put into the operation,” he said.

The results are there for all to see on their website….. the main hurdle in designing this algorithm was related to how to display the models online easily and efficiently and how to achieve a simple CNC cutting file efficiently without using excessive computing power. “Through innovative processes, some effective mathematics, and the unique help from the Shapediver team, we managed to solve most of such obstacles,” added Nick.

all material employed in the manufacture of our lamps is recyclable and sustainable, especially since the fundamental element is wood

“Laser cutting is very versatile but it too has its limitations since it is a subtractive process. And complex geometries are hard to manufacture without the right design processes and even a simple press-fit needs to be extensively tested and is dependent on the machine tolerance. The machines used, quality checking and the design built by the algorithm must all compensate for such precision,” he explained.

The way a project comes to life after one’s design has been uploaded to their Shapelamp online software is via cutting edge, laser CNC technology in their finishing/ assembling department …. and coupled with innovative rapid manufacturing methods and traditional manual fabrication processes. This gives the opportunity to anyone, of any age or background, to design their very own light unit. This makes the creation of even complex forms possible with a few mouse clicks. In fact, though a company like Shapelamp could have existed 5 or 10 odd years ago, the software it uses could not have existed then at today’s sophisticated simplicity. “And hence,” Nick continued to explain, “optimum results would have been much harder to get to.”

This availability of technology at one’s finger tips opens a lot of horizons. One they are currently exploring is that of welcoming exclusive lighting shops into their clientele group. In this way the outlets could even suggest personalised lighting initiatives to their own clients on an exclusivity basis on the design created. Nick added: “We are a Green company and all material employed in the manufacture of our lamps is recyclable and sustainable, especially since the fundamental element is wood. And in the end, all waste from the production is also be recycled.”

EXPORT
Shapelamp has been chosen to be one of the representatives for Malta at the forthcoming Expo in Dubai. In fact, the organisers of the expo are actually building a completely new city there to cope with the needs of this long exposition period and those of the participants themselves.”

Nick said that they were confident that they will be receiving positive feedback and that the Dubai market would be particularly interested in their product. On another level closer to home, as mentioned earlier, the northern European countries have been most encouragingly positive in their reaction and response to their products. Companies in Germany in particular expressed a high interest and Shapelamp is considering to establish a franchise there from which to also reach out to other neighbouring countries.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE?
Currently, Shapelamp focuses on a process that allows customers to design their own lighting units through the use of an online platform and custom algorithms that link the 3D geometry directly to the manufacturing process. The future of Shapelamp builds on the extensive work carried out so far. Through this work the aim is to use CAD/ CAM technology and develop an innovative 3D printer which has the ability to build a full luminaire, LED circuitry and also integrate LED chips within the same process.

Shapelamp’s design concept has been created in such a way as to spread out the light while also contrasting it with shadows

The project aims to make designing one’s lamp a seamless part of the purchase, with parameter changes that people are already used to from previous models. The project is funded through the Technology Development Programme under FUSION, a national funding programme that supports research and innovation managed by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST). Follow the team’s socials to keep up to date with the hustle!

CONCLUSION
Nick explained that “Shapelamp’s design concept has been created in such a way as to spread out the light while also contrasting it with shadows on the surrounding walls.” This makes the end result beneficial to ‘living’ in the house or office for great lengths of time.

The design itself allows light to reach out of the lamp itself and to create this light-and-dark effect that literally beautifies one’s room. The design software itself has the means of calculating the way the shadows will drop and the intensity required for the effect. The way forward is presently to consolidate the local market but also to be in a collaborative position with potential partners to be better positioned for growth. At the same, Nick details their will and ability to strengthen relationships with architectural and design firms, and Malta’s prime developers.

One of Shapelamp’s unique core competences lies in their having Sean and Matthew on board who can obviously speak the same language as architects and engineers and combine their competences together to create a unique product. Though theirs is a premium quality product it has also been designed in a way for the professionals to reach out and use it for their own clients.