Reclaimed Venetian Blinds Shape A Modular Lighting Collection
Iranian designer Reza Raeisifar has transformed discarded aluminium Venetian blind slats into a modular collection of lighting objects. Named Keker, the project reinterprets an everyday architectural component that originally controlled or blocked daylight. In its new application, the material directs and diffuses artificial light.
Raeisifar began developing the concept in 2018 after discovering an old, unused Venetian blind in storage. An invitation to propose lighting for the interior of the Afarinesh project at Shiraz University provided an opportunity to develop the idea further.
Rather than treating the slats simply as decorative surfaces, the design retains their ability to shape light. Their curved profiles conceal the central light source from direct view while creating a changing pattern of light and shadow. This approach gives a familiar waste material a new functional role and helps reduce the amount of newly manufactured material required.
A Simple Modular Construction
The first version consists of three laser-cut acrylic sheets that form the structural framework. The designer cuts the reclaimed aluminium slats lengthways and inserts them into grooves in the acrylic components. These slats then form a pleated enclosure around an energy-efficient LED light source.
Positioned at the centre, the LED distributes light through 360 degrees. The arrangement of the aluminium elements softens the illumination and limits glare, while gaps between the slats allow light to spread into the surrounding space.
The construction method enables the dimensions, orientation and overall form to change without altering the basic system. Since its initial development, Keker has expanded into pendant, linear, ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted and floor-standing versions. This adaptability makes the system relevant to various interior settings, from residential spaces to hospitality and workplace environments.
Preserving Material Memory
The collection’s name derives from kerkereh, the Persian word for Venetian blinds. This reference preserves the identity and cultural memory of the original object, even as its components take on a new purpose.
The first Keker design was shown at Ordibehesht Gallery in Tehran in 2019. In 2025, Design Gallery One in Tehran presented all the developed versions together as a complete collection. The project has also received several design awards, including an honourable mention at the 2024 LIT Lighting Design Awards and first prizes from the KIOSKedia International Design Awards and the Art & Architecture Magazine Awards.
Through limited processing, modular construction and the reuse of existing aluminium components, Keker demonstrates how discarded architectural products can become functional resources for new interior applications.
Source & photos: Reza Raeisifar