UIC Barcelona alumni Juan Gaitán selected as one of the emerging designers at the Hábitat Valencia trade fair

Juan Gaitán had the opportunity to present his collection of suspended lamps made from Akari rice paper, having been chosen by a prestigious panel made up of leading figures from the fields of design and architecture. His work was exhibited from 30 September to 2 October in the Nude space at the Hábitat Valencia trade fair, a key meeting point for the interior design and architecture sector.

The Akari lamp is made from recycled paper and metal. According to the designer, it is “conceived as a light object that not only illuminates but also tells a story: one of balance between the ephemeral and the enduring, between reclaimed material and essential form”. Gaitán has already patented the design.

“My intention was to create something that was handmade and reflected the delicacy of that process. In Asian culture, rice paper represents that, and it also works very well as a light diffuser; it gives the space an intimate and warm touch,” said the UIC Barcelona graduate. The metal structure of the lamp “provides a firm and sober counterpoint to the composition, drawing clean lines that support the fragility of the paper without overpowering it”.

A key element of the design is sustainability. The traditional rice paper used is biodegradable and compostable, and the metal structure has been designed with the thinnest possible rods to reduce environmental impact. 

“The fact that a professional panel has selected me has validated me as a designer and reaffirmed my intuition,” Gaitán said gratefully. According to data from the Hábitat Valencia trade fair, more than 1,000 firms and brands from 21 countries took part in the event, which last year attracted over 50,000 visitors.

Juan Gaitán graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, following an exchange programme at the National University of Singapore. His Akari lamp collection can be viewed on his Instagram page: @akari.lighting.