MIT’s Design Intelligence Lab has built a lantern dubbed the Geolectric Lantern that embodies sustainability and interactive technology. It was commissioned by MIT’s School of Architecture + Planning dean as a symbolic welcome to global visitors, inspired by a tradition of placing a lamp in a window to signal openness and hospitality, says MIT News.
What makes this lantern special is not just its aesthetics, but the materials and methods behind it. The team used geopolymers, i.e., low-carbon, non-crystalline inorganic materials, as the body of the lantern, instead of conventional ceramics or plastics. Unlike ceramics that require high-temperature firing, geopolymers can be formed at lower temperatures, allowing electronic components to be embedded seamlessly during fabrication. These materials promise strength, durability, thermal insulation, and a reduced environmental footprint.
Inside the lantern, there are custom electronics tied to touch and proximity sensors. When someone places their hand over the top, light descends through glass tubes, creating an interactive experience. The design is minimalist and timeless, aligning with both functional and symbolic goals.
The Geolectric project is part of broader research in sustainable electronics, where traditional materials are rethought for climate impact. The goal: consumer electronics that are less carbon intensive, more recyclable, and better aligned with circular economy principles.
The lantern serves both as a technical prototype and a statement. It’s a physical object, but also a symbol of welcoming, of sustainable innovation, and of blending design, materials, and embedded intelligence. As Coelho, director of the lab, notes: in fragile times, “we need light the most.”