A Mirage Sculpted with Light
At Clerkenwell Design Week 2023, visitors were drawn into an immersive installation where light acted as both medium and storyteller. Fata Morgana, designed by Jestico + Whiles in collaboration with Studio Fractal, transformed an urban space into a shifting mirage inspired by the optical illusions seen above calm seas. At the core of the installation were Architape Opaline M RGB luminaires, whose compact form factor and powerful light output made them ideal for animating the delicate Notpla seaweed paper structure. Their smooth, homogenous diffusion allowed colour to flow seamlessly across the surface, enhancing the paper’s natural translucency and giving the entire installation a soft, breathing quality.
Lighting as Architecture
The Opaline M system provided:
· A continuous spectrum of rich RGB illumination
· Flexible integration within lightweight temporary structures
· Exceptional uniformity that turned the seaweed paper into a living canvas
· Low-profile architectural lines that supported the installation’s minimalist aesthetic
The result was a dynamic interplay of colour, form and material. With each shift in programmed light, the structure appeared to dissolve and reform—sometimes a floating landscape, sometimes a fragment of a dream. The luminaires enhanced the illusion of depth and movement, helping the installation evoke the mysterious, shimmering qualities of the natural mirage from which it took its name.
A Sustainable Material Meets Intelligent Light
Made from seaweed-processing waste, the Notpla paper offered a subtle texture and translucency that worked in perfect harmony with the Opaline luminaires. Light flowed through the fibres, revealing delicate tonal shifts and producing organic shadows that changed with every lighting sequence.
The collaboration between material innovation and lighting technology demonstrated the versatility of Architape systems in artistic, architectural and temporary environments.
An Evocative Play of Atmospheres
The lighting sequences—ranging from starlit skies to slow-moving underwater hues—brought emotional depth to the experience. The precision and quality of the Architape luminaires ensured every colour transition remained smooth, atmospheric and immersive.
Fata Morgana showcased how light can shape perception and emotion, proving once again that thoughtful lighting design is central to storytelling within built environments.
