Keker Collection: Upcycled Aluminum Blinds Into Lighting
Designer Reza Raeisifar introduces the Keker Collection, transforming discarded aluminum Venetian blinds into a modular lighting system exhibited in Tehran, Iran.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Keker Collection was created by designer Reza Raeisifar, starting its development in 2018.
- It repurposes discarded aluminum Venetian blind slats into a modular lighting system.
- The structural framework features three laser-cut acrylic sheets holding the aluminum slats.
- The designs have evolved into pendant, linear, ceiling, wall-mounted, and floor-standing versions.
Designer Reza Raeisifar has repurposed discarded aluminum Venetian blind slats—originally intended for controlling and blocking light—into the Keker Collection, a modular system designed to direct and distribute illumination. By repositioning a familiar architectural element into a novel lighting application, the project utilizes recycled materials to build a diverse family of adaptable lighting objects.
The journey of Keker began in 2018 when Raeisifar discovered an old, unused Venetian blind in storage and started experimenting with how its structure could be reimagined. The concept expanded after receiving an invitation to propose a lighting design for the interior of the Afarinesh project at Shiraz University. This transition shifted the role of the aluminum slats from blocking incoming light to directing and diffusing artificial light sources efficiently.
The practice of upcycling discarded architectural elements into functional design objects highlights the growing movement toward sustainable design. Reimagining everyday materials like aluminum blinds not only diverts metal waste from landfills but also demonstrates creative resourcefulness in finding aesthetic and practical value in overlooked items.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The initial iteration relies on three laser-cut acrylic sheets acting as the structural framework. Longitudinally cut aluminum slats are slotted securely into the sheets to form a repeating modular pattern. An energy-efficient LED light source sits centrally to distribute 360-degree illumination, while the curved slats prevent direct glare and produce dynamic patterns of light and shadow.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This flexible construction system enables Keker to take on various forms and lighting categories. Over the years, Raeisifar has expanded the collection into pendant, linear, ceiling, wall-mounted, and floor-standing editions, all maintaining the core structural principle. The first iteration debuted in 2019 at the Ordibehesht Gallery in Tehran, Iran, and by 2025, the accumulated collection variants were showcased together at Design Gallery One in Tehran.
Source: designboom
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