3D printing meets local wood, new technology meets regional craftsmanship: With steiraFORM, Christian Krammer has founded a young lighting brand that is committed to remaining small, regional, and personal. A conversation about good lighting, authentic products, and the question of why atmosphere often requires not more light, but better-placed light.
It all started with an idea that kept nagging at Christian Krammer: Surely it should be possible to make your own lamp. An idle 3D printer did the rest—and from those initial experiments, steiraFORM, a young lighting manufacturer from Styria, emerged step by step. The lampshades are made from recycled PETG sourced from an Austrian manufacturer, while the wooden bases are produced in collaboration with a small workshop in Preding. A conversation about new technology and traditional craftsmanship.
Mr. Krammer, how did the idea of building a lamp yourself actually turn into a brand?
At first, it was really just an idea that I couldn’t get out of my head. My 3D printer was still waiting for a specific project, so I did some research and experimented: How could I use PETG to create beautiful light? What proportions are needed? Many hours followed at the computer, at the printer, and working alongside the cabinetmaker. Eventually, I found myself standing in front of a lamp and thought: Now it’s just right. From this product, steiraFORM gradually took shape.
What did you want to do differently from many existing lamps?
What mattered most to me were regional character and individuality. I used to go to a furniture store and pick out a lamp without giving much thought to where it came from or who made it. Today, that’s exactly what interests me.
That’s why I try to source as much as possible from the region and work with small businesses. For the umbrellas, I use recycled PETG from Austria, and the wood comes from the region. The origin should remain traceable.
At first glance, 3D printing and wood seem like opposites. What appeals to you about this combination?
It’s precisely this contrast. PETG is an engineering material that can be processed with great precision. At the same time, 3D printing creates a visible layered structure, which is intentionally part of the design in my lamps.
Wood is exactly the opposite: warm, natural, unique, and strongly influenced by craftsmanship. It softens the austerity of the technical material. The two materials are very different—and that’s precisely why they complement each other so well.
When do you consider a light fixture to be truly good?
For me, it has to work in two ways: when it’s on and when it’s off. A good light fixture shouldn’t dominate a room, but rather enhance its character—through its form as well as through the light it emits.
Of course, lighting in the kitchen or workspace has to be functional. But even there, it shouldn’t look out of place. For me, a light fixture becomes more than just a source of light when it becomes part of a room’s atmosphere—when you don’t just need it, but actually enjoy having it around.
How much can light change the feel of a room?
Enormously. Light can highlight materials and colors and make a room feel warmer, calmer, or even brighter—without moving a single piece of furniture.
That’s why the shades on my table and battery-powered lamps can be changed. A clear shade creates a calmer effect, while an amber shade makes the light significantly warmer and cozier. For me, light is therefore almost an additional design element in a room.
Rechargeable lamps, in particular, are currently experiencing a boom. Why do they work so well?
Because we’re no longer tied to electrical outlets. Light can be placed exactly where you need it. My battery-powered lamp, for example, was developed in collaboration with the Stainzerhof hotel and restaurant. They were looking for a portable outdoor lamp—cordless and sturdy, yet clearly recognizable as a steiraFORM product. Today, it can just as easily sit on the dining table and then be moved out to the patio later. Especially in the evening, you often don’t need bright room lighting at all, but rather small, warm pockets of light.
What’s the most common mistake we make with lighting at home?
We expect too much from a single light source. A bright ceiling light can be practical, but it rarely creates a cozy atmosphere. Most of the time, a room becomes more inviting when several smaller light sources are distributed throughout it. So my simplest tip would be this: don’t automatically turn up the lights; instead, use lighting more thoughtfully. Often, a small additional light in the right spot is all it takes to make a room feel warmer and cozier right away.
Win a steiraFORM rechargeable lamp for your home!
Together with steiraFORM, we’re giving away an amber-colored rechargeable lamp worth €229.90. Just answer the contest question on the form, sign up for the newsletter, and you’ll be entered in the drawing. Good luck!
Learn more at steiraform.at.
