MJ Fraser builds lamps using trees from his childhood garden
Trees From The Garden is a collection of lamps by MJ Fraser, developed from impressions of trees found in the designer’s childhood garden. Each piece is formed using individual moulds taken from sections of bark and branches, resulting in distinct variations across the series. The lamps are fabricated primarily from a biodegradable thermoplastic, establishing a material system that combines organic reference with synthetic processing.
The project reconsiders the use of trees in design by focusing on external surface qualities rather than conventional timber extraction. Instead of processing wood into standardized elements, the approach captures textures, irregularities, and natural patterns, translating them into modular components. These elements are assembled through a ‘cut and paste’ method, producing layered compositions that emphasize variation and repetition. The process draws on associative and intuitive construction methods, where forms are combined through incremental decisions within a defined system.
TFTG 05 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components | all images courtesy of MJ Fraser
MJ Fraser captures tree bark textures into intricate Lamps
Material efficiency is embedded in both the selection and fabrication process by designer MJ Fraser. The thermoplastic contains approximately 30 percent waste sawdust, linking the material back to its source while reducing reliance on virgin inputs. Production generates minimal waste, as offcuts are reheated and reused as welding material or internal structural components. The material’s heat-activated adhesive properties remove the need for additional bonding agents, and surfaces are finished using natural mineral paint.
Across the collection, the lamps function as translations of natural forms into constructed objects. Surface textures, layered silhouettes, and diffused light qualities contribute to an atmosphere that references the spatial and visual experience of trees. The project establishes a relationship between memory, material, and fabrication, where natural structures are not replicated directly but reinterpreted through a controlled design process.
TFTG 05 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components
TFTG 03 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components
TFTG 04 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components
TFTG 06 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components
TFTG 06 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components
TFTG 10 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components
TFTG 10 worbla (biodegradable thermoplastic), natural mineral paint, lighting components
taking a mould from a sycamore maple tree
cataloging the mould
applying the sheet plastic
assorted moulds
project info:
name: Trees From The Garden
designer: MJ Fraser | @mj_fraser
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
The post biodegradable thermoplastic casts tree bark and branches into light sculptures appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.