Since the 14th century there has been an immeasurable change in the design of the chandelier. Originating from the French word ‘chandelle’, the word ‘chandelier’ simply translates into the meaning ‘candle holder’.
As time has progressed chandeliers have evolved from their original 14th century state – two wood beams forming a cross with a spike applied to either end to hold a candle – to the 18th century; ornate, crystal and glass art symbols of wealth and through to the 21st century.
Designers Keivor John and Richard Harvey have highlighted just how far the design of the chandelier has come with its design of the exclusive Murmuration Chandelier.
Given the name, their inspiration for this phenomenal design emerged from bird murmurations – a flock of starlings swooping and diving simultaneously in masses of thousands; a breathtaking scene to any witness. Brighton Pier is a recommended landmark to spot starling murmurations, which is where Keivor and Richard spent their autumn evenings accumulating inspiration for their design.
The brief
The imaginative duo were commissioned by property company, The Collective, to design “the world’s most unique chandelier...something groundbreaking, interactive and immersive that had never been designed before” for its HQ situated in Central London. The Collective as a company supports emerging talent, aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses, all of which were key in Harvey & John’s design for the striking chandelier.
Following this brief Harvey & John unveiled the Murmuration Chandelier; a kinetic lighting sculpture, spanning over 5m, the chandelier sits as a permanent installation at The Collective’s HQ at 14 Bedford Square in London.
Design inspiration
Keivor John and Richard Harvey are the dynamic duo behind Harvey & John, a creative studio that exists at the intersection between invention, design, art and engineering, with a strong focus on how imaginative design can inspire people in their everyday lives.
Harvey & John created the breath-taking chandelier with inspiration taken from the spectacle at Brighton’s seafront every autumn evening before dusk – a murmuration of Starlings.
“Why a murmuration?” comments Keivor. “First and foremost it is a beautiful sight, but the analogy of lots of individuals coming together to make something beautiful married nicely with The Collective’s ethos of creating communities, alongside the space in Bedford Square. When you look at a murmuration, the birds can seem randomly scattered across the sky – but then in a moment they align to make a beautiful shape and pattern. Like a murmuration, the chandelier fleets in and out from seeming disorder to precise patterns and shapes – a mesmerising spectacle in its own right.”
Design structure
The chandelier consists of 20 rings that taper in diameter, finished with patinated steel to produce a textured gunmetal exterior and a light reflecting brushed steel on the inside. Abstract starling shapes were laser cut from each ring that all align at a certain point in its spiralling sequence.
From below, the piece resembles a spirograph in motion, aligning to make mesmerising concentric patterns. The chandelier spans over 5m across three floors. Each ring has its own counterweight, which allows the piece to be in perfect balance whatever shape it is in. Each ring also has its own micro-controller and motor, the further down the sculpture, the faster the rotation. The kinetic sculpture can also be controlled by an App to change the colour, speed and direction of movement.
Harvey & John exists to invent the world’s friendliest products. The Brighton-based duo’s aim is not to create something that offers more beauty or function but to create something that offers more feeling. Previous playful designs include the The Floating Orchestra, Thought Bubbles and Firefly. Harvey & John’s designs inject fun into the surrounding environment, and brings people closer together.