From Contemplation to Realisation – The OURANOS Collection by Christopher Boots

Melbourne-based lighting designer Christopher Boots brings myriad influences to bear in his work – from geology, mythology and nature to architecture and geometry. While diverse, these themes are cleverly distilled in the designer’s pieces through a cohesive approach to structure and materiality. The studio’s latest collection, OURANOS, sees a clever evolution of the relationship between quartz crystal and brass, demonstrating Christopher’s aptitude for design that is at once functional and delightfully ethereal.

Over the past 11 years, Christopher has honed his craft as a designer, developing his eponymous studio’s widely recognised aesthetic with both purpose and spirit. His ability to combine crystals with meticulous metalwork to create highly sculptural lighting fixtures – which the studio fittingly refers to as ‘jewellery for the home’ – is unparalleled. Perhaps this is due, in part, to Christopher’s approach to design. Rather than produce multiple yearly collections, which are often constrained by strict timelines and commercial parameters, he approaches his creative output with intuition and necessity and is open to unexpected jolts of inspiration, whatever the source. As such, his process involves researching and workshopping ideas with his team, before freely exploring these concepts in a physical sense without expectation or pressure.

Rather than produce multiple yearly collections, which are often constrained by strict timelines and commercial parameters, Christopher approaches his creative output with intuition and necessity and is open to unexpected jolts of inspiration, whatever the source.

Christopher’s process involves researching and workshopping ideas with his team, before freely exploring these concepts in a physical sense without expectation or pressure.

In many ways, the recently-released OURANOS collection exemplifies the Christopher Boots approach. Showcased during Milan Design Week as part of TROVE 2.0 – an exhibition presented in collaboration with fellow Melbourne-based lighting practice Lost Profile Studio – it is a clever evolution of the studio’s distinctive aesthetic. Encompassing two pendants and a wall sconce all hewn from quartz crystal and brass, the collection is a homage to the celestial qualities of Ouranos, the god of the sky in Greek mythology, led by the studio’s artisanal interpretation of industrial design.

Within the collection, Ouranos I references the vertical rotation of the planet Uranus through its linear form and carefully crafted apertures. A single quartz sphere is centred within a slab of brass, which appears to hover off the surface of the wall, allowing light to gently emit from all sides. The first of the two pendants, Ouranos II, is an ode to the skies above and features a single line of quartz spheres floating within an elongated belt of solid brass. Finally, Ouranos III sees a string of quartz spheres arranged in a sweeping halo of brass suspended from the ceiling.

In keeping with the studio’s wider portfolio of work, the OURANOS collection transcends lighting design. As vessels that carry Christopher’s varied sources of inspiration, these three pieces are windows into his world, offering a glimpse into the designer’s unique and layered process – from contemplation to realisation.