Italian design studio Oberhauser developed Oberhauser’s Balloon, an outdoor lighting collection made with powder bed concrete 3D printing technology. The luminaire comes in three sizes: 30 cm, 70 cm and 100 cm in diameter. The project shows how additive manufacturing can support new approaches to lighting design.

Oberhauser manufactures the collection using Selective Cement Activation (SCA), a powder bed concrete 3D printing process. During production, the printer applies a cement-based binder to a powder bed and builds the object layer by layer. Unlike conventional concrete production, the process does not require moulds or formwork. This allows designers to create complex shapes and detailed surface structures more easily.

Material Efficiency and Design Freedom

Additive manufacturing places material only where it is needed. As a result, the process can reduce material waste compared with some traditional production methods. It also gives designers greater freedom to experiment with form, texture and customisation.

The cement-based material offers weather resistance and suits outdoor applications. Designers can use the luminaires in gardens, terraces, public spaces and landscape projects. The range of sizes allows the lamps to function as subtle lighting elements or larger statement pieces.

Large-Scale 3D Printed Lighting

The largest version of Oberhauser’s Balloon measures 100 cm in diameter. According to the studio, it ranks among the largest cement-based luminaires produced with 3D printing technology. At this scale, the lamp combines lighting with a strong sculptural presence.

The project reflects the growing use of digital fabrication in architecture and design. By combining concrete with additive manufacturing, Oberhauser explores new ways to produce customised lighting elements. The collection also demonstrates how digital production methods can improve material efficiency while expanding design possibilities.

Source: Studio Oberhauser
Images: Alessia Dianese / Studio Oberhauser