Arcturus 64 in Cardboard Pendant Light by Graypants

Arcturus is the showstopper of the Graypants Scraplights family: a 64 in (163 cm) sculpture of laser-cut recycled cardboard, hand-assembled into a glowing, cloud-like form that fills a tall entry, stairwell, lobby or great room. Pick Natural for the warm tones of raw corrugated board, White for a crisp, gallery-bright finish, or Blonde for a soft, sun-washed look.

Every Arcturus is made to order by hand, so the fixture that arrives is made for your space. It is designer-level drama in a material most people never expect to see in a chandelier.

The Design Story

"I had to turn it into something people couldn't recognize."

Seth Grizzle, Graypants cofounder, speaking to Business of Home

Scraplights began with a happy accident. Seattle architect Seth Grizzle had built a series of chairs from found cardboard, then used the scraps to make lights. "That's how the lighting took off," he told Business of Home. "People didn't notice the chairs, but they noticed the lights." Grizzle and Jonathan Junker, the architects who founded Graypants, have been refining that idea ever since, with studios in Seattle and Amsterdam.

Arcturus takes the idea to its largest scale. Cardboard is often seen as a humble material, and Grizzle has said it is one the studio respects and honors: "There's an honesty behind it, and we've always stayed true to what it is."

How It Is Made

Graypants designs on the computer and cuts each layer of recycled cardboard with precision, then the pieces return to human hands. As Grizzle puts it, the process is a "high-tech, low-tech scenario." Each Arcturus is assembled by hand with non-toxic adhesive around a black powder-coated steel frame, and the glowing light is diffused through glass. The layered edges catch the light differently from every angle, which is why no two pieces look exactly alike.

Why You'll Love It

Arcturus gives a high-ceilinged room the scale it deserves without the cost of a custom art installation. The warm, textured glow flatters people and finishes, and the sculptural shape holds its own in a modern lobby, a restaurant, a hotel entry or a double-height living room. Cardboard, steel and glass do not fade, and a light dusting keeps it looking fresh, so it is built to be enjoyed for years.

Graypants lighting has been specified for offices, restaurants and hotels, and the Scraplights line appears in projects such as NBBJ Columbus, Ancestry in Salt Lake City, Pablo y Pablo, Plum Bistro and Baanmeesters.

Made for Real Life

Arcturus holds nine E26 sockets with LED bulbs of up to 15W each (bulbs not included), and 2700K warm white is recommended. It hangs on a black or white 6.5 ft (2 m) cord, with a 16 ft (488 cm) cord available, from a slim black or white canopy, runs on 120V, and is rated IP20 for dry locations. Graypants also offers custom cords and canopies. At 48.5 lb (22 kg) it needs secure structural support, so please have a qualified electrician plan the mounting. To clean, use a dry duster or compressed air; the shade is non-toxic and handmade.

Product Details

Handmade for You

Arcturus is made to order and assembled by hand, so each fixture is crafted after you choose it. That care is why every order is final sale, and it is why our team is glad to talk through finish, scale and placement with you before you order. You are commissioning a sculptural piece, not picking one off a shelf.

Not the Right Fit If

Arcturus is a large statement piece for tall, open spaces, so it is not for low ceilings or small rooms (the Dome or Drum fit those better). It is rated for dry, indoor locations only, and it is made to order, so it is not for projects that need a fixture within days.

Questions We Hear Most

How big is the Arcturus pendant?

It measures 64 in (163 cm) in diameter and 64 in (163 cm) high, so it is best in rooms with ceilings of about 10 ft or more.

What is the difference between Natural, White and Blonde?

Natural shows the warm brown of raw corrugated cardboard. White is a clean, bright finish, and Blonde is a soft, pale tone between the two. The shape and size are identical.

What bulbs does it use?

It has nine E26 sockets that take LED bulbs of up to 15W each. Bulbs are not included, and 2700K warm white is recommended.

How long will it take to arrive?

Arcturus is made to order, with a lead time of about 4 weeks.

Can I hang it in a bathroom or outdoors?

No. It is rated IP20 for dry, indoor locations only.

Is it heavy, and how should it be installed?

It weighs 48.5 lb (22 kg), so it needs secure structural support from the ceiling. We recommend a licensed electrician or installer plan the mounting.

Why We Love It

Arcturus proves that humble material can make a grand gesture. It is the Scraplights idea at full scale, and it turns a room's empty height into the best part of the space.

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