Superdupertube
Exploring new materials for reborn classic

At the core of Superdupertube is its materials, showcasing Snøhetta's commitment to regenerative design and material research. The collaboration began several years ago, with an architect, a landscape architect, an interior architect, and Snøhetta's workshop master collaborating with ateljé Lyktan. The objective was to explore materials for a locally sourced solution with a smaller ecological footprint usable in production. Hemp ended up being the optimal choice with its robust fibers and minimal environmental impact, reducing CO2 emissions by over 50% compared to traditional aluminum variants.

The collaboration with suppliers Bergman's and Trifilon marked a journey of sustainable material development. Initial attempts with pine cones and coffee grounds led to the discovery of hemp fiber. Superdupertube is the first project where a material based on hemp is extruded in an existing extrusion process.

Unlike the other materials tested, hemp offered the required strength. The organic material mix, enhanced with sugarcane starch, met the functional needs and aligned with the two brands' dedication to developing more sustainable solutions. Hemp, an ancient crop with versatile applications, grows abundantly without depleting the soil.

The hemp material's inherent color introduces a unique aspect – each lamp's color will vary with different hemp crops. This natural variation also influences the color temperature of light(K). The LED strips are emitting a warmer tone through the material. The lamps are available in two color temperatures: 4000K (tuned to 3800K ambient light) and 3000K (tuned to 2800K ambient light).

Superdupertube embraces a PLA (Polylactic Acid) material derived from sugarcane, reinforced with hemp fibers to create a biodegradable polymer free from fossil oil or gas. This conscious material choice contributes to reducing the environmental footprint.

The choice of extrusion as a production method pays homage to the original Supertube's innovation with aluminum extrusion. Various techniques are employed in crafting the Superdupertube, with features like the louver and side covers being injection-molded and a hemp and sugarcane material mix tailored to the production method.

Just as the original Supertube marked innovation in the 1970s, Superdupertube symbolizes a commitment to more sustainable solutions. Snøhetta and ateljé Lyktan's meticulous consideration of design, material, flow, and process results in a product with minimized environmental impact – both in materiality and function.

Recognizing that 70-80% of a luminaire's climate impact occurs during the user phase, Snøhetta and ateljé Lyktan emphasized efficiency and incorporated smart lighting systems to reduce energy consumption and expand its lifetime.

The design and the well-engineered extruded profile have optimized easy assembly and disassembly by enabling components to slide in place without glues and minimal use of screws. This also makes it possible to easily replace parts, repair malfunctions, and update lighting technologies in the future.

Superdupertube not only reduces dependence on fossil raw materials but is also industrially compostable. This project pushes the norms around what an office lamp could look like and be made of and is meant to contribute to and encourage further advancement within sustainable and innovative materials and production technologies.

Designed as a versatile office lamp, the Superdupertube comes in four lengths. The diagonal louver reduces glare through longitudinal and diagonal light shielding and imparts a distinctive character to the fixtures.

Snøhetta's collaboration with ateljé Lyktan embodies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable design. Superdupertube pays homage to the past and paves the way for a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.