Hoi P’loy at Cape Town Furniture Week: Unveiling the Shard of Light Collection

As Cape Town Furniture Week kicks off today, the excitement surrounding Hoi P’loy’s innovative new collection, the Shard of Light 3D-printed lamp range. The brand’s efforts to elevate bespoke lighting components in South Africa are inspiring, and we had the privilege of sitting down with Hoi P’loy’s founders, Ploy Phiromnam and Guy van der Walt, to learn more about the story behind the brand and the exciting new unveiling.

Hoi P’loy has made a significant mark with its bespoke, precision-made, and ethically produced lighting solutions, and this interview offers an in-depth look at the journey behind the brand’s success.

1.Hoi P’loy has garnered attention for its bespoke, high-quality lighting. What inspired the brand’s creation, and how did the collaboration between you both come to life?
Hoi P’loy was born out of a frustration with limited lighting component options and a general lack of focus on high quality solutions in that space. Having worked and traveled overseas, we both had first hand experience of what it felt like to indulge in a wide variety of products, and world class service to match. We noticed that locally the industry had generally begun to focus more on quick profits, rather than long term solutions. The old fashioned value system of doing things properly resonated with us, and we wanted to embody those sentiments with a remarkable brand.

2. The launch of the Shard of Light 3D-printed lamp range is an exciting development. What makes this new collection stand out in terms of design, and how does 3D printing influence the creation process? 
Working with 3D printing as a medium allows us to achieve forms that are not typically possible on small production runs. It’s allowed us to venture into a design area that empowers us with more dynamic lines and forms. We’ve maintained our signature faceted edges, but added irregularity which is a liberating deviation from the limitations of classic symmetrical productions methods.

 3. Hoi P’loy is known for its innovative approach to lighting design. How do you balance creativity with functionality in your bespoke pieces? 
We find that often the easiest part of a new design is the conceptual sketching phase. It can be a matter of minutes to dream up an initial design. This is usually driven by a gap or genre we’re focusing on. But the demanding work begins when we start prototyping and testing. This is when all sorts of challenges emerge, such as does the solution actually work in a real-life setting? Can this item be realistically produced, and is it simple enough to install/operate without the need for additional instructions. We’re really passionate about digging deep into details, from how packaging can be customised to make the most of shipping to whether or not a product can be dismantled and refurbished for a new lease on life at some point in the future.

4. As advocates of ethical production and long-lasting quality, how does Hoi P’loy ensure that its lighting products align with these core values? 
It’s really important to us that everyone who interacts with the brand has an uplifting experience. This starts with our team and work environment. We’ve consciously invested in creating a work environment that’s inviting and adds value to day-to-day work life. We also prefer to choose raw materials based primarily on performance, rather than cost. This is a unique selling point, and the approach has been well received by our clients who share this sentiment: spend a little more, last a lot longer.

5.  The Salt River area has become a creative hub in Cape Town. How has the local community and craftsmanship influenced Hoi P’loy’s designs and production processes?
Sometimes it can get lonely when one is trying to make a way in an industry. The tight knit and supportive creatives in our hood have helped to give us a sense of home and belonging.  Being a part of a community that’s actively shaping our local identity is inspiring in itself.

6. With your focus on bespoke and custom-made lighting, how do you approach the process of designing a piece for a client? What are the key elements that shape the final product? 
Our strength is a strategic  combination of standardisation and customisation. It’s far easier for us to adjust our existing range than to design something from the ground up. Often the amount of R&D involved with a new product makes it prohibitively expensive to “re-invent the wheel” every time. Over the past decade we’ve built up a unique range.

7. The Shard of Light range introduces 3D printing into lighting design. Can you tell us more about the technical aspects of 3D printing in your process and the benefits it brings to your designs?
We’ve actually been using 3d printing for many years now (about 10!), but it’s only recently that we’ve seen it as more than a prototyping tool. In recent years we’ve slowly begun to include some internal 3D printed components, but with recent advances in the quality of 3d printing, we’ve gained the confidence to use it for visible parts of our products. The relatively quick turnaround times, and eradication of MOQs means we can test the market with small runs, and make adjustments to the designs for each subsequent batch. It’s an endless cycle of refinement which is not normally viable in traditional production methods.

8. Sustainability is increasingly important in design. How does Hoi P’loy incorporate sustainable practices into its operations, from production to materials?
Stuff gets old – that’s just how the world works. We get it – people like shiny new things. So we use materials and production methods that first embrace the aging of goods (such as the rich character of aged brass), or can be easily repaired or refurbished if one wants to revive an original finish.

9. What role do traditional production values play in Hoi P’loy’s designs, and how do you integrate these timeless elements with modern innovations?
It’s really all about an attitude – a focus on doing things properly, the way our grandparents approached creating things. This is in stark contrast to being purely driven by profit which often leads to cutting corners in order to maximise returns. Decades of the latter has led to modern innovations, but often with significantly reduced substance. Our ethos is to embrace both, and not focus on either one at the expense of the other.

10 Finally, with Hoi P’loy’s growing reputation, what’s next for the brand? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?
It’s an exciting time! We’ve delighted to be pushing through with our new bespoke stationery brand – Nat & Mae in 2025, and we’ve also got a whole host of ideas in the pipeline for lifestyle goods – both conventional and 3D printed in nature.