Austrian-born designer Laurids Gallée has unveiled Cairn, a striking collection of giant resin lamps, at the inaugural Design Biennale Rotterdam. Created in collaboration with Dubai-based design gallery Collectional, the series explores how light interacts with transparent materials, creating an effect that feels almost liquid.
Comprising six sculptural lighting pieces, Cairn is made from large blocks of sanded and polished resin. This meticulous craftsmanship results in a luminous, fluid-like finish. Gallée, who has spent over a decade researching materials, sought to manipulate light itself rather than just shaping resin.
Merging Sculpture, Design, and Art
Inspired by the ancient tradition of stacking stones, Cairn evokes a sense of balance and weightlessness despite its monumental scale. The collection includes floor-standing, hanging, and wall-mounted pieces, radiating warm hues of deep orange, amber, gold, and soft lilac.
With some pieces exceeding six meters in height and weighing over 100 kilograms, the project presented structural challenges. Engineers and craftsmen worked to ensure stability, especially at connection points. Large resin surfaces also amplified every detail, pushing the team to refine their techniques further.
A Collaborative Vision in Rotterdam
Laurids Gallée credits his partnership with Collectional for allowing him to push creative boundaries. The hands-on collaboration involved continuous testing and refinement of materials and colors.
In addition to showcasing Cairn, Gallée served as one of five ambassadorial hosts for Rotterdam’s first Design Biennale. Recognized for his innovative approach, he praised the city’s creative energy, emphasizing its role as a hub for experimentation in design and architecture.
Gallée’s work has previously been featured at Tableau Gallery during 3 Days of Design and in Collectible design gallery’s Objects with Narratives in 2024. With Cairn, he continues to blur the lines between sculpture, lighting, and artistic expression, redefining how light transforms space.