Back on the architectural front is the news of Zaha Hadid's Vortex chandelier which was introduced in 2005 as a collaboration with Patrik Schmacher for Sawaya & Moroni. In 2007 the price was estimated as $200,000.
The Chandelier’s Opaque surface etches two transparent acrylic light spirals and a recessed LED light strip provides animated and programmable light sensations. Its complex curvilinearity follows a double helix connecting its beginning to its end and therefore forming an endless ribbon of light. In plan the object resembles a star with its protrusions pointing outwards from the center, emphasizing an imaginary centrifugal force.
This 2 m high 1.5 m wide light corpus is made up of over 60 individual mouldings that fit together seamlessly in a 12 m long string. The chandelier can be attached flush to the ceiling thanks to a special suspension assembly. Its high-gloss fibreglass-reinforced polyester surface has a precise-fitting translucent acrylic glass cover to ensure uniform light distribution and optimum colour mixing. Precise colour matching enables the very latest generation of LED modules to generate indirect light in various hues. When used in combination with Zumtobel’s lighting management system, an infinite variety of lighting scenes can be controlled and programmed.
The concept was first mentioned in 2005 during Milano fair of that year.
