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Orchid, high-tech nature by Rainer Mutsch

A mix of emotions and technology stripped to the essentials

Austrian designer Rainer Mutsch designs Orchid for Axolight, a collection of lamps with two separate yet complementary souls: one outer – that of nature, exuded by its flower shaped diffuser and its rod; the other, more hidden, is high-tech with avant-garde LED technology.

Orchid is a mix of emotions and technology stripped to the essentials.

Rainer Mutsch explains how these souls have merged in Orchid: "As a designer, I feel that nature is a major source of inspiration. In Orchid’s case I was studying how buds are connected to stems: and that’s what sparked the idea to develop a multidirectional floor lamp that could include direct lighting and diffused lighting in a single item.

For the shape of the diffuser I was inspired by the funnel shape of the flower; I’m fascinated by how the flower seems relatively fragile near the stem and how then it reveals all its beauty when it blooms. Experimenting with these shapes I began sketching out a new diffuser, which thanks to its shape is capable of visualising the spread of the light.”

The LED technology is the second key factor in the design. The shape of the diffuser, made out of aluminium, prevents overheating, thus ensuring maximum duration of the light source. The outcome is a compact and efficient diffuser that couldn’t be possible with an incandescent lamp.

Including two suspension lamps, a floor lamp, a wall lamp and a ceiling lamp, Orchid comes in white or sand finish. It is so sculpturesque that it takes centre stage in the space even when turned off and stands out the most especially when a number of lamps are used in combination. Precisely thanks to its versatility, it works both in residential settings and in contract projects of a larger scope.

Rainer Mutsch

Rainer Mutsch studied Furniture Design at the Denmark Design School in Copenhagen, Product Design at the University of Arts Berlin, and completed his degree in Industrial Design (Prof. Paolo Piva) at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. Rainer then worked as senior designer for Werner Aisslinger in Berlin for several years, and worked on projects for clients like Cappellini, Magis, Mercedes Benz, and Zanotta before opening his own design studio in Vienna in 2008.

Studio Rainer Mutsch is a multi-disciplinary design studio based in Vienna.

Mutsch’s works are defined by intensive explorations of new materials and production techniques, as well as by questioning existing typologies. By understanding the producer or manufacturer’s needs and by analyzing their capabilities, he develops highly innovative amd customized solutions for them.

Mutsch is a designer out of conviction: with his reduced and aesthetical creations. Not only does he want to make the world more beautiful, but he also wants to make it better. Mutsch works intensively with materials and new technologies, and together with his team they develop products that are elegant, precise, simple and above all designed to meet human needs. He works with a list of international clients and cultural institutions on a variety of levels, ranging from furniture, lighting, and product design to spatial solutions. He has successfully developed partnerships and best-selling high and medium range products.

Mutsch’s designs have won some of the most highly respected awards such as the Red Dot Design Award, the Good Design Award, the Green Good Design Award, and has been nominated for the German Design Award and the Brit Insurance Design Award. Several works have been acquired by international museums for their permanent collections and archives. Rainer regularly takes part in education, participates in juries, leads workshops and gives conferences about his practice.

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