Adrift

Innovative Concept Citation Winner

Issued by The 2026 Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition

“Drawing inspiration from the movement and freedom of flight, Adrift captures the feeling of drifting forms suspended in air. Constructed from LED strip lighting in clear cut recycled acrylic, each module (glide) uses the acrylic as both structure and diffuser. The material captures and refracts light along its curves, allowing illumination to travel through the fixture before dispersing into the space. Featuring six modular lighting pieces (glides), the system is designed to connect and adapt to expansive, open environments. Each unit links through an integrated magnetic connection system with conductive contacts, allowing the pieces to snap together seamlessly while transferring power across the fixture. This creates a continuous glow without visible wiring, while also allowing for flexibility in arrangement. The glides can be aligned and rotated to fit in different spaces. The material choices support a sustainable approach. Stainless steel provides a durable and recyclable support to the ceiling, while recycled acrylic reduces reliance on new plastics. The use of energy-efficient LED strip lighting minimizes power consumption.”

Documentation

The Process

The process began with sketching and ideation, exploring a range of lighting concepts before landing on a modular system inspired by children’s wooden train tracks. This reference informed a design language of connecting curved segments. The concept was then translated into a more refined application using glowing acrylic, creating a sleek, luminous fixture suited for an airport terminal and subtly nodding to the movement and flow of flight paths. A key challenge was designing the connections so that each piece could securely fit together in multiple configurations, allowing the system to adapt to spaces of varying sizes while maintaining both visual cohesion and structural reliability.

Softwares Used

Rhino

Adobe Illustrator

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