Behold Decafe: A Lamp Made of Coffee

decafe coffee lamp by Raúl Laurí

Raúl Laurí is the creator of “decafe”, a new patented material made from used coffee grounds. He chose coffee since it has a positive connotation and a worldwide consumption. Laurí  refers to coffee as an ‘experience bearer’ noting that “thousands of stories and events normally take place surrounding a cup of coffee. So, why should we get rid of such a valuable product [used coffee grounds] when it is possible to make the most of its emotional aspects?”

decafe coffee lamp by Raúl Laurí

Laurí is currently using decafe to make lamps. If these closeup photos of coffee beans made you hot and you thought this cute coffee mug lamp was cool, prepare to be dazzled. Doesn’t this cross-section of decafe look like a delicious coffee-filled Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? Mmmmm…

decafe coffee lamp by Raúl Laurí

Efficient, low-temperature LEDs provide illumination and emit just enough heat to intensify the smell of the decafe lamps, which Laurí tells Co.Design, is “one of the strongest characteristics of the project”. Laurí’s brother, David, created the exclusive intelligent electronics system, which is integrated inside each individual unit. “The light intensity changes depending on the tilt of the base, and it turns off in the upside-down position; this allows the user to interact with the lamp. The battery is long-life and quick charging,” he explains, and the pieces can easily withstand up to 100 degrees.

decafe coffee lamp by Raúl Laurí

The material is patented, but the process consists of “using the coffee grounds, mixing them with a natural binding substance and undergoing the result to a pressure and temperature based transformation process by which it is possible to make the material to have enough consistency to be employed in a large range of products.”

decafe coffee lamp by Raúl Laurí

This really is a multi-sensory innovation. You can touch the material and feel the coffee grounds, you can smell the coffee by inhaling the aroma and just to drive home the point,  Laurí designed a custom mold to give the pendant lights a mug-like shape. His debut collection took home first prize at the recent Salone Satellite exhibition in Milan, and he’s currently pursuing a manufacturing plan. To be in the know when he’s ready to release his products, you can subscribe to his mailing list. I did.

Click through for coffee porn. This post is dedicated to Gabe and Godmachine.

decafé by Raúl Laurí

decafé by Raúl Laurí

decafé by Raúl Laurí

decafé by Raúl Laurí

decafé by Raúl Laurí

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