Royal Philips, the global leader in LED lighting, announced the launch of 3D-printed connected luminaires as well as white color LED bulbs to its expanding Philips Hue range.

Fusing the worlds of light, art and technology, the 3D-printed luminaires allow limitless light effects, bringing a piece of art to your living room. The innovative Philips Hue 3D-printed table & pendant luminaires were co-created with globally-renowned design teams WertelOberfell and Strand+Hvass. The luminaires will be on display at the Philips Forum at Light and Building show in Frankfurt from 31st March – 4th April 2014.

Philips 3D-printed hue luminaires. (LEDinside/Philips)

A revolution in lighting design for your home

“3D printing provides more freedom, control and even personalization when designing lighting products. There are fewer boundaries for creativity with Philips Hue as there are unlimited options to generate any mood or lighting effect. Combined, we have created the most advanced, digital (even futuristic) technologies for a functional, emotional and unique object,” comments WertelOberfell designer Jan Wertel.

“The expression of color produced by Philips Hue adds an element of surprise that’s magical and mysterious, creating a sense of wonder,” explains Strand+Hvass designer Niels Hvass.

Fully compatible with the expanding Philips Hue lighting eco-system of bulbs, lamps, apps and switches, the 3D-printed Philips Hue table and pendant luminaires are made exclusively to pre-order at www.meethue.com, commencing March, 31st 2014.

Designers behind the bulb

Created by German design duo, WertelOberfell, the Hue 3D-print luminaires are inspired by images from nature. The pendant lamp acts as two shells that encapsulate the Philips Hue light source, generating stunning artistic effects. “We liked the idea of using the geometry seen in the eyes of crustaceans and insects then reversing them so they become light emitting cells rather than light gathering cells,” explains Jan Wertel. “This is a complex design that could not have been produced before 3D printing. The result is an exquisite light effect that transforms a lifeless living space into a colorfully lit ode to nature,” adds Gernot Oberfell.

Conceived by Danish design duo, Strand + Hvass, the Hue 3D-print luminaires are “inspired by shadows you see when the spring sun shines through naked branches,” explains Christina Strand. “This was translated into a complex design, only possible when 3D printing is combined with Philips Hue. Over 3,000 sticks are intertwined around the Hue light source, recreating a captivating scene from nature,” Strand continues.

Philips Hue lux is a dimmable white color LED smart light. (LEDinside/Philips)

White Hue bulbs

In addition to the new 3D printed Hue bulbs, Philips also announced the launch of a bright-white only version Hue bulb that is controllable via smartphones and tablets and compatible with Hue apps and hardware including control devices such as jawbone bracelets.

“Hue lux is another entry point for people who are ready for the connected home,” comments Filip Jan Depauw, Senior Director, Philips Lighting. “Hue lux offers personal wireless functional lighting, giving users perfect control over their homes by reinventing the dimmer switch and giving you control via an array of apps. Hue lux makes your everyday activity even brighter, with the ability to operate up to 50 bulbs with each smart bridge, once you have the kit, your connected lighting experience is completely scalable: you can add any Hue-compatible products to any room in your home.”

Each starter kit contains two Hue lux bulbs and a Hue bridge. Simply screw in the bulbs, plug the bridge into your home WiFi router and download the app or just add Hue lux to your existing Hue bridge Since Hue lux uses the industry-standard ZigBee protocol to communicate, further home automation products such as switches and sensors can also be integrated with your Philips Hue lighting system, allowing you to make your home even smarter over time.

Hue lux is available in North America and Europe at selected retail outlets after summer 2014, and will be accompanied by a new app update. Philips Hue lux starter kit (two bulbs + one bridge): US $99.95 (€99.95).