System X: Ross Lovegrove's modular fluorescent lighting

It's been a long time coming, but someone has finally developed a fluorescent lighting array that isn't completely hideous -- just somewhat hideous. Shakespearian actor (see photo) Ross Lovegrove's diabolically named System X (designed for Japanese manufacturer Yamagiwa) allows for all sorts of interesting and "artistic" combinations of the X-shaped bulbs, permitting large, linked arrangements, or simple, singular set ups... or circles. Truly a minor development in the de-uglifying of offices everywhere.

[Nando @ Jun 22nd 2007 9:48AM]

That's hot!

[CowboyGA @ Jun 22nd 2007 9:53AM]

The ceiling in the top right image looks like prison. Is the prison look better than your current office? It might be time to switch jobs.

[Phil Perman @ Jun 22nd 2007 9:58AM]

Am I the only person who was reminded of Mugatu from Zoolander when I saw the pic of that guy? Just give him some curly hair and hes there!

[Chris Moroz @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:10AM]

I don't think I'll ever understand the appeal of turtlenecks.

[Whiplash @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:37AM]

I was thinking the same thing. However, it's obvious that the turtleneck, and some unique facial hair, makes the difference between your run o' the mill techie geek, and the suave "futurist".

[daedalus @ Jun 22nd 2007 9:58AM]

yeah... that florescent chain link ceiling fence really compliments the 10 year old apple studio display and marble slab in an otherwise vacant room...


maybe instead of installing a blinding security grid in your office you can add some furniture... and maybe a plant

[Eric Whitney @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:11AM]

Not only are they very exy looking, they come back to you when you throw them.

[Grey Acumen @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:22AM]

I love how everyone's comments have been about everything but the actual functionality of the little X light things.

I personally think they look pretty cool, do they attach by magnets or something, cause if so, it'd be kinda neat to have them just sorta hanging down from the ceiling.

Need a little more light, easy job, just attach two more links to the chain. Need a little less? Take two off. It definitely has its possibilities.

[Tom Boucher @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:20AM]

Wonder what IBM will think since they have System x servers

[Major Malfunction @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:32AM]

Shouldn't think anything since you would be hard pressed to confuse a frick'n lighting system with a frick'n computer system.

[TAJ @ Jun 22nd 2007 12:11PM]

... you'd be surprised.

[Waitupasec @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:47AM]

I for one, actually think this might lead to cooler configurations like a circle or cool designs that wouldn't look horrible.

[hjb1000 @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:23AM]

It's worth adding that due to the curved nature of the design, it requires two specially designed 'bent' T5 fluorescents... yes I'm not kidding. And they are only available through Yamagiwa I believe. That would be a major pain in the ass for relamping, but a very hot design nonetheless.

[scottdrummer @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:35AM]

what happened to the dimmer switch for adding and subtracting more light

[Simon @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:44AM]

I like the idea, but since these "bulbs" are so special they will have a pretty "special" price too.

But the pentagon and ocatgon setups look pretty nice. Pretty futuristic.

They surely will not connect by magnet, there needs to be some power conduction going on ;)
So you probably have the use spcial junction parts to join them.

[Mr. Sneakery @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:50AM]

Seeing design starting to get into more places is good. Maybe not the ideal lighting system for most offices but....

IF they made 'Blacklight' versions of those bulbs that'd be one hell of a sweet sight at a modern club with some house music going.

The only other thing I can think up for those is using them vertically just a single to mark exits with an "x" instead of the cheestacular exit signs.

[craig @ Jun 22nd 2007 11:28AM]

Same crappy light; new, more expensive packaging. Just the product for those downtown San Fransisco, flush-with-VC, internet startups. You gotta think big to burn through millions a day of other people's money.

[logyk @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:49PM]

Isn't he the villian in Venture Bros?

[Rainier @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:03PM]

With a turtleneck that bright, who needs lights?

[josh @ Jun 23rd 2007 12:48PM]

The most interesting thing about this is that they are flexible... I'd love a standard flourescent bulb that was flexible... you could do some cool stuff with that, plus i assume that means they are much harder to break.