In Focus

Mazha Lighting System 5.0

Mario Tsai Studio

Founded in Hangzhou, China, in 2014, Mario Tsai Studio is a research-based practice that prides itself on innovative thinking to produce sustainable design.

What was the concept behind the Mahza Lighting System 5.0? Using the low voltage and modal elements of the original Mazha Light as its basic principle, the 5.0 uses scaffolding in urban construction as its structural inspiration, which also stems from my observation of the calm but warm light coming through a scaffolding system. The straight lines formed at 90° to each other can grow infinitely in three dimensions, and the lighting tubes become part of the building blocks, creating huge light forms.

How long have you been working on the collection for? It has been four years, from Mazha Lighting System 1.0 to Mazha Lighting System 5.3, but we started to develop the Mazha 5.0 in 2021. When I started the whole project in 2018, I realised that the clients I work with rarely researched and developed their products in any depth, but rather focused more on what type of popular products the market is selling. I began to develop what I thought was a logical design direction from my own perspective, and this was the original motivation for the creation of the Mazha Lighting System.

What was the most challenging aspect of producing this collection? I think it is how to ensure that the lighting system can be efficiently assembled in a modular way and that it remains stable, which depends on the smooth logic of the concept and the technical development that can be implemented.

Can you explain more about the materials and technologies used? The main materials we use are stainless steel, glass, aluminium, LED lighting and electronic chips. The whole development process lasted four years, but it is difficult to describe. The design only took up a small amount of time, more often we were in a laboratory experimenting and constantly testing.

The low voltage 12v is conducted through the metal frame. We focused on designing the circuit composition and how to run the circuit for each version.

What makes this collection different to other Mario Tsai Studio products, and other lighting products available on the market? It has greater modular expandability and can be customised to the size and budget required by the customer, a feature that is largely absent in other products. Our plan is to start expanding our reach and supplying globally.

Please describe the product in 3 words. Minimalism, modularity, flexibility.

www.mariotsai.studio

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