The click trick: Alphabet by Zambelis

It’s hard to know for sure why designers are consistently drawn to using magnets when creating innovative products. Let’s be frank, the ability to create a bond between two objects without a visible joint is a wonderful gift of science, so it’s no surprise that many products requiring impermanent fastenings use magnetism to provide this functionality.

The Alphabet collection from lighting brand Zambelis is all about modularity and enabling components to combine in different ways. Its EPSILON52 Magnetic range comprises 52mm aluminium profiles with integrated light sources that can be arranged in almost limitless configurations. The lighting system can also be supplemented by magnetically attaching spotlights anywhere along their lengths. The plug-and-play spotlights can easily be removed and repositioned whenever required.

As with other products in the Alphabet collection, the components are named after letters of the Greek alphabet. Each letter denotes the product’s defining functional characteristic: Alpha 52 is a pendant providing linear diffused light, Gama 52 is a LED pendant with optional added spotlights. Kappa 52 incorporates cylindrical spotlights for direct illumination, and Zeta 52 features an array of surface-mounted LEDs along its length.

The 52mm profiles can be used by interior architects or designers to create bespoke installations in offices, libraries and museums, as well as retail or residential settings. The versatile system is easy to customise using the parametric configuration tool on Alphabet’s website, with the additional magnetic spotlights offering enhanced functionality whilst maintaining the design’s minimalist aesthetic.

© Architonic