WA lamp by Akasaki & Vanhuyse is crafted from decommissioned Tokyo train parts
Passenger handles from a defunct Japanese train line stack up to form this minimalist ring-shaped lamp by design studio Akasaki & Vanhuyse.
London-based Akasaki & Vanhuyse procured around 1,400 resin handles from Tokyo's Tokyu 8500 trains, which were retired in 2023, to create a limited run of 150 WA lamps.
As resin is less easily recycled than materials such as metal, the studio thought that transforming the handles into lighting offered an aesthetically pleasing way to reuse a component that would likely be thrown away otherwise.
All of the handle rings were initially cleaned and then individually assessed for any visual flaws, like scratches or dents. The studio was keen to preserve these so that the handles could reflect their years of use and contact with passengers.
The handles were then sorted into groups according to the level of imperfections present, so they could be evenly distributed during the production process.
"WA design elevates the upcycled ring parts into an appealing, functional and well-made new object," said the studio. "The imperfections of the reused elements are celebrated as a tangible feature that is emotionally engaging."
Sandblasting was later carried out to give the handles' glossy surfaces more of a matte finish.
Nine handles are stacked on top of each other to form the lampshade; tiny gaps are left between each ring, allowing the glow from the lightbulb to gently filter through.
The handles are held together by slender polished-steel legs that curve up over the lip of the top ring. Their shape is meant to mimic the fabric strap that once connected the handles to the inner framework of the train carriage.
A majority of the WA's production process – from the cleaning and sorting, to assemblage and packaging – was executed by manufacturers local to Tokyo, where Tokyu Corporation is headquartered.
Akasaki & Vanhuyse hopes that the lamp will appear in the company's offices or station information desks, as well as more casual, residential settings.
Several other designers have found creative use for materials that would normally be destined for the rubbish.
Earlier this year, Sara Regal made modular seating out of polyester, wood planks, cork and other waste she found on construction sites. Yuma Kano has also fabricated terrazzo-style furnishings from unusable wood.
The photography is courtesy of the studio.
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