Muuto’s 'Piton Lamp' Takes Design Cues From Mountaineering Gear

Canadian industrial designer Tom Chung has created his first product for Danish brand Muuto – a portable lamp named Piton, which is based on equipment used in mountaineering. The designer, whose studio is based in Toronto, wanted to create a light source that could work in a multitude of environments – from the comfort of a bedroom, to a craggy mountainside.

“Piton takes its name from a climbing apparatus that is jammed into cracks and crevices on mountainsides to which the climber can attach hooks, tools and ropes while rigging it in various positions,” Chung said. “I wanted the design to fulfill the inherent needs of a torch; providing security and warmth while clearly illuminating your field of vision.”

Fully rechargeable, the lamp combines LEDs with a diffusing cover to create an ambient light. Its slim profile is made from anodised extruded aluminium, while the lampshade is crafted from injection-moulded plastic. It is able to stay illuminated for six hours on full brightness, and when out of battery, is recharged via a corresponding woven fabric USB-C cable. For Chung and Muuto alike, versatility was key. The lamp needed to fit into a range of spaces and be resistant to a number of environments. It can be used lying, standing, tilted, or suspended, and can be brought indoors or used outdoors thanks to its water resistant casing: “it seeks to encourage its user to explore their surroundings,” adds Chung.

From matcha sets to pizza ovens, designers and brands are increasingly creating products for the great outdoors. Recently, Nocs Provisions released a pro version of its waterproof binoculars that are smartphone photo compatible.