Melbourne, Australia
Mod-u; a combination of modular (mod) and you (u), representing modular design configured by you. When imagining solutions for evolving spaces, modularity naturally comes to the forefront.
Flexible, intuitive, and future oriented, modular systems adapt alongside shifting needs, allowing users to shape their environments with intention. Mod- u draws on this principle while tapping into a shared sense of nostalgia.
Long before we encounter design theory or architectural language, many of us have explored modularity through play. Mod-u draws on this familiar, almost instinctive memory of stacking, rearranging, and building without rules.
These childhood experiences, marked by experimentation, imagination, and hands-on creativity, inspire the spirit of this piece. It invites users to reconnect with that sense of open-ended play, transforming lighting into a personal, expressive act.
Created with biodegradable materials, Mod-u becomes more than a source of light, it is a reflection on responsibility, longevity, and the value of conscious design.
Materials & Form
Each block is crafted from one of two materials. The first is an eggshell composite, which provides a porous, tactile quality. The second is a translucent PLA block coated in Unryu Thai paper, allowing light to diffuse softly through its delicate natural fibres.
Together, these materials create a dynamic interplay between opacity and illumination. Each block features one straight face and one gently curved face, a subtle detail that encourages experimentation with dimension, texture, and form.
By rotating, stacking, and alternating the blocks, users can create evolving compositions of light and shadow, resulting in an object that holds both functional and sculptural presence within a space.
Because the lamp can be endlessly reconfigured, it adapts over time, supporting changing lifestyles, evolving interiors, and individual expression.
About
Materials are so deeply embedded in everyday life that their significance often goes unnoticed.
They underpin the built environment, yet their perceived roles and meanings are shaped not by inherent qualities but by the ways they are sourced, processed, and experienced. This perspective invites a more thoughtful approach to material selection and its impact on the future.
Designer Joanne Odisho embraces this philosophy through a practice centred on sustainability and conscious material use. Her work prioritises responsible sourcing and production methods that minimise waste while encouraging greater awareness of where everyday products originate.
By fostering more environmentally conscious choices in the home, her designs strengthen the relationship between people, materials, and the natural environment.
With a background in interior design, Odisho combines spatial planning with a human-centred approach to create functional, visually refined objects.
Inspired by architecture and nature, her work translates abstract ideas into meaningful designs that balance aesthetics, practicality, and environmental responsibility.
Project: Mod-u
Designer: Joanne Odisho
Manufacturer: Joanne Odisho
Photographer: Joanne Odisho
