Meltable wax lamps by Baguette Studio can be endlessly remade
Paris-based Baguette Studio has developed a range of wax lampshades that can be melted down and recycled without any loss of material using its own custom-built rotational moulding machine.
The Le Labo 1.0 collection comprises a wall lamp, pendant lamp and table lamps in two sizes, all using the same stainless-steel base and electrical components, with shades made from either 400 or 800 grams of wax.
This allows a table lamp to be easily transformed into a sconce or a pendant with zero waste or need for new materials.
"One of the questions we're raising with this project is about ownership of objects," explained Philippe Gaud, who founded Baguette Studio alongside Emma Lohner.
"Instead of owning an object you basically own 400 or 800 grams of wax that can be melted down and reused."
Le Labo 1.0 is the first project developed by Baguette Studio using a model that seeks to deconstruct and reinterpret industrial processes – in this case, rotational moulding.
Gaud and Lohner decided to explore an alternative approach to the standard rotational moulding technique, which is typically used to manufacture hollow objects such as canoes, toys and garden furniture.
"We were interested in how we could bring this technique back into the city and make it to our scale," Gaud told Dezeen.
"We started building our own machines because we didn't have access to the machines used in the plastics industry."
Having devised a method for creating rotational moulded items using a device fabricated from standard aluminium profiles, the duo began researching a more interesting and sustainable alternative to plastic.
The lamps are produced using a specially formulated blend of beeswax and plant-based wax that balances strength and flexibility, and can withstand temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius without melting.
According to the designers, the material is 100 per cent natural and requires no additional finishing. Its high melting point means it is also not greasy or likely to collect dust.
The production process starts with melting wax pellets and pouring the liquid into a two-part mould, which is clamped inside a frame that rotates for around 45 minutes until the wax has coated the inside of the mould.
Once the mould is removed from the frame, its two parts can be separated, leaving behind the final form. Excess material around the joint line is carefully trimmed off before holes are added for attaching the light fixtures.
The nomadic, custom-built rotational moulding machine can be disassembled for transportation to events such as Milan design week, where the studio popped up at the Alcova exhibition and the Isola Design Gallery.
Other highlights from this year's festival include rugs modelled on Kengo Kuma's buildings and a series of eclectic doorknobs from emerging designers.
The photography is courtesy of Baguette Studio unless otherwise stated.
Le Labo 1.0 was on show from 21 to 25 April 2026 as part of Milan design week. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.
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