Secto Design’s Adilo is an unassuming flat-packed pendant that transforms into a graceful spiralled luminaire through a simple unravelling mechanism. 14 years in the making, industrial designer and Finnish artisan, Ilkka Kauppinen discusses the journey of Adilo as a rebellion against bulky wasteful packaging.

What is the concept behind this product?

Traditionally, large lamps are difficult to transport: they are fragile, require substantial volume, and demand excessive packaging. I wanted to design a lamp that could be folded flat for transport, solving these challenges without compromising its visual or material qualities.

How long have you been working on the product for?

I first sketched the core idea and geometry around 15 years ago. Over that time, I returned to it in short, intensive phases, experimenting with different materials and manufacturing methods. Once the right tools and materials became available, the final development phase took approximately a year.

What was the most challenging aspect of producing this piece?

The most challenging part was finding a functional opening mechanism. I tested an unreasonable number of fastening and structural solutions, and for a long time, nothing worked the way I envisioned it. The frustration built up to a point where giving up simply was not an option. Eventually, one evening, I had a genuine lightbulb moment and realised the structure could be tensioned using a string. That single insight unlocked a solution that is both intuitive and user-friendly. From there, everything finally began to fall into place

What materials have been used? Please describe the design process.

The primary material is PEFC-certified ultra-thin birch plywood, which gives the lamp its warm, natural glow while also providing the necessary structural performance. Its flexibility and strength were essential to achieving the folding structure. Additional polymer components are used where precision and durability are required. Because functional materials and mechanisms cannot be fully resolved on paper alone, the design process relied heavily on hands-on prototyping, testing, and iteration.

What technologies does the product use?

When I first sketched the lamp, many of the materials and manufacturing methods required to realise it did not yet exist. Advances in technology have since made it possible to bring the idea to completion. In particular, developments in ultra-thin birch plywood and contemporary manufacturing techniques have enabled a level of precision and efficiency that would not previously have been achievable at a practical scale.

What kind of environments, clients or projects is this product suitable for?

The lamp is suitable for both private and public interiors. It is available in two sizes, allowing it to adapt to different spatial scales and contexts.

What makes this product different from others in your portfolio and from other lighting products on the market?

This piece differs significantly from my earlier work, as my background is largely rooted in technology, but that technical thinking is clearly present here. At the same time, the project carries strong personal significance, having stayed with me for many years. I would not have continued working on it without a deep belief in the value of good design and in the importance of seeing an idea through properly. I can say, with confidence, that there is nothing quite like it currently available.

Describe the product in three words.

Unfolding natural lighting.

www.sectodesign.fi