Local Materials Shine in Thomas Maxam’s Expanded Lighting Collection.

Melbourne-based design duo Thomas Maxam Studio has expanded its Bricks lighting collection, introducing new pieces that build on their successful debut at Melbourne Design Week 2022. The collection transforms the familiar suburban brick into refined lighting elements through textured, cold-moulded glass.

“The collection centres around the pitted texture of hand-poured glass bricks, which drove us to explore unique ways to house and present them,” explains Maxam Whiteley, who founded Thomas Maxam with Thomas Cohen. Their inventive approach maintains the exact dimensions of standard house bricks while elevating them into chic lighting objects.

The expanded range introduces the Bricks Chandelier, featuring multiple glass elements in a circular composition, and the Stacked Lantern Pendant, which presents a vertical interpretation of the brick motif. New table and floor lamp variations bring the collection’s distinctive aesthetic to free-standing applications.

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Highlights from Melbourne Design Week 2022.

MDW returned with a wave of fresh local talent responding to the theme 'Design the world you want'. With a sense of possibility in the air, bolstered by an overwhelming sense of community...

“The collection centres around the pitted texture of hand-poured glass bricks, which drove us to explore unique ways to house and present them.” — Thomas Maxam

Each piece maintains precise proportions of standard suburban bricks, creating an interesting dialogue between construction materials and interior elements. The manufacturing process involves pouring molten glass into custom moulds, allowing natural variations to emerge during cooling. These subtle imperfections create character while producing a beautifully diffused light.

The Bricks collection’s simple material display has resonated with the architecture and design community and it’s not difficult to see why. Responding to industry feedback, Thomas Maxam has broadened available finishes across the collection. Beyond the original brushed stainless steel, options now include brushed brass, antique bronze, gunmetal, polished stainless steel, and coloured powder coat finishes. This expanded palette allows for expressions ranging from understated to bold, adapting to various interior schemes.

The studio’s commitment to local production remains central to their practice. Each piece is designed and prototyped in Melbourne, with manufacturing handled by local metalworkers. This approach not only maintains precise quality control but also supports and strengthens the Australian design industry.

The Bricks collection represents a considered exploration of materials and form. The structural elements maintain a minimalist approach, allowing the textured glass to take centre stage. This creates lighting that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, suitable for residential and commercial applications.

Thomas Maxam continues developing new additions to the Bricks collection, signifying there’s still more to explore within this creative framework. The expanded Bricks collection is available through Thomas Maxam studio, with each piece made to order to accommodate custom specifications. It’s Australian design at its finest—purposeful, innovative, beautifully crafted, and just a bit cheeky in how it reimagines the ordinary.

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[Images courtesy of Thomas Maxam. Art Direction & Styling by James Guerrisi. Photography by Matthew McQuiggan. Profile photo by Matthew McQuiggan, taken at Villa Alba during Melbourne Design Week 2024.]