vacuum-sealed flat pack blooms into tsubomi paper lamp by kazuhiro yamanaka

Kazuhiro Yamanaka’s design blooms into a free-standing lamp

Following his Lamp in the Pizza Box, Kazuhiro Yamanaka unveils Tsubomi, a vacuum-sealed flat pack that blooms into a self-supporting light as it opens. The product designer’s paper-folding lamp comes in a vacuum-packed flat rectangle. As air enters through holes at the bottom, the lamp unfolds and stands without any internal structure. Made from a special plastic compound used in traditional Japanese Shoji screens, the paper exhibits wrinkles when folded, which become pronounced when illuminated.

the project’s vacuumed packaging occupies minimum space | all images courtesy of Kazuhiro Yamanaka

the Tsubomi paper lamp draws inspiration from Japanese culture

Named after the Japanese word for bud, Tsubomi is lightweight and can maintain various shapes depending on how it is opened. Through his project, Kazuhiro Yamanaka challenges the notion that only perfect forms are beautiful. The paper can be plain white or feature a grid pattern highlighting the wrinkled appearance. These colored grids add a visual element while gently tinting the light and the surface it illuminates.

This project by the Tokyo-based designer reflects the traditional aesthetics of Shoji screens, used as doors, windows, or room dividers in Japanese architecture. The lamp’s design is rooted in the cultural heritage of Japan, combining contemporary functionality with traditional materials.

traditional aesthetics of shoji screens are featured in the concept of the design

Kazuhiro Yamanaka challenges the notion that only perfect forms are beautiful

made from a special plastic compound, the paper exhibits wrinkles when folded

the paper can be plain white or feature a grid pattern

when illuminated, the paper wrinkles become pronounced

colored grids gently tint the light and the surface it illuminates

project info:

name: Tsubomi
designer: Kazuhiro Yamanaka | @kazuhiro_yamanaka

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom