Contemporary Sensibilities, Historical Context

Inspired by the timeless architectural beauty of ancient Chinese pagodas, Mario Tsai’s Pagoda is a poetic blend of tradition and modernity. Drawing from the stacked, modular structures seen in the Pagoda of Chongsheng Temple in Dali and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an, Tsai has reinterpreted this historic silhouette through the lens of contemporary industrial design.

The Pagoda takes its cues from the simplicity of Han and Tang dynasty architecture, where straight eaves and refined lines were used rather than the ornate curvature that emerged in later periods. As Chinese history evolved, pagodas became increasingly elaborate, but in doing so they lost some of their original, understated beauty. The studio attempted to revive this form into the product; combining industrial precision with classical form, the Pagoda embodies a new expression of Chinese aesthetics. Its modular structure, both functional and symbolic, allows endless configurations and applications. It’s also the studio’s first lightweight, movable lighting product, designed to minimise material waste and labour costs without compromising elegance. A thoughtful detail lies in the cable outlet at the base, which mirrors the doorway of a traditional pagoda. When illuminated, light cascades gently from one tier to the next, refracting softly to create an atmospheric, glare-free glow. The simplified eaves, pulled upwards on each side, enhance both the structural integrity and the sculptural presence of the lamp.

Designed to function seamlessly as a table or floor lamp, Pagoda offers three adjustable colour temperatures and infinite dimming through intuitive touch control, allowing users to shape their ideal ambiance for both private and public spaces. During development, Tsai and his team explored ways to recreate the rustic texture characteristic of Han and Tang dynasty materials. Initially, they considered a traditional sand-moulding technique to achieve a raw, tactile surface. However, to ensure the precision and efficiency required for larger-scale production, they ultimately adopted die-casting – a method that maintains texture while enhancing accuracy and environmental control.