By means of the Switch lamp, the Japanese designer Nendo revisits the shape of the classic abat-jour by renewing both its materials and its function. The archetypal shape of the cylindrical lampshade is transformed by using metal while its function as a diffuser is combined with that of a ‘switch’, hence its name. In fact, the lamp is switched on and off by turning the sheet metal lampshade, inextricably blending shape and function, aesthetics and functionality.