The gant + kouple Block Lamp Series

Bringing a touch of brightness into the dark world of war with a lighting collection created to benefit the people of Ukraine.

When Stefan Gant of Berlin-based GANTlights felt horror at seeing Russia’s war in Ukraine, he decided to use the power of design to help the people affected by the aggression. Soon after, he stumbled upon a Ukrainian lighting and furniture design studio based in Kyiv, + kouple, and the two studios began a collaboration to create a lamp series.

“The idea of creating a product together and using the proceeds to benefit the Ukrainian people naturally responded to the desire to help actively. We firmly believe collaboration and solidarity are crucial in such difficult times,” says Stefan Gant, founder of GANTlights.

Inspired by the concrete building blocks that are now used to create defense barriers on roads across Ukraine, Dan Vakhrameyev of + kouple designed the lamps with minimalist concrete blocks from which the metal shades seem to grow like flowers. Consequently, the team successfully reimagined a recognizable element in urban landscapes affected by the full-scale Russian invasion as modern lighting. The Block Lamp series comprises a pendant light, wall lamp, and table lamps. The latter allow users to place them either vertically or horizontally. For the pendant lamp, + kouple used the custom textile suspension system they also implemented in their BLT collection.

Components made in various cities in Ukraine.

While the concrete block boasts a smooth and tactile surface, the shades come in a range of colors. Apart from classic black, white and gray, the Block Lamps can also come in moss or forest green, almond, coral, or deep blue colors. GANTlights produces the handmade concrete parts in Berlin, but the rest of the lamp components come from Ukraine. For example, + kouple partners with manufacturers in Ternopil to make the metal shades; Kharkiv for the textile suspension belt; and Kyiv for the powder-coated paint finish.

Apart from helping to support local manufacturers, the Block Lamp collection also aims to bring relief to the people of Ukraine. Proceeds from the sale of the lamps will go directly to the purchase of evacuation vehicles used in the Donetsk region. Photography by Andriy Bezuglov.