DIY concrete lighting

Designing lighting fixtures for the outdoors is very different then designing pendant lamps and chandeliers for the interior. In this case you need to have a different selection of materials and to also adapt the design to the outdoor conditions. It’s why the designer of these interesting fixtures decided to use concrete. It’s a material easy to work with and it’s also able to withstand everything nature has to throw at it.

The great thing about these lighting fixtures is that you can make them yourself. The plan is very simple. You just need to use a mold. The simpler your design is, the simpler will be to get it out of the mold. Another element to take into consideration is the weight. You should try to use as little concrete as possible but also try not to make the walls thinner than 1-1/2’’. Decide on the dimensions and then start making the mold. You can use plywood for this part.

When you decide that it’s ready, apply a few thick coats of varnish or lacquer. This way the surface will be smooth and the mold will be protected from water. The tricky part is to add the wiring. You can use styrofoam for this part. Before you pour the concrete into the mold you need to coat the sides with oil. Then start pouring slowly and tap and move the concrete around to make sure it gets in the corners. Then use a piece of plastic to cover up the mold for a day. For the demolding, start with the simplest sides and continue with the rest. Then let the concrete dry a little more. Next, install a bulb and you’re done.{found on instructables}.