In an era where the glow of screens has infiltrated the sacred space of the bedroom, a new collaboration seeks to reclaim the night. Heatherwick Studio, the visionary design practice behind some of the world’s most engaging buildings and objects, has partnered with British sustainable lighting brand Tala to create Wake, a revolutionary sleep light. This device is not just another piece of technology; it is a thoughtfully crafted object designed to combat digital fatigue and restore analogue calm to our nightly routines.
Crafted from hand-spun ceramic and pressed glass, Wake is a testament to natural materials and careful craftsmanship. Its design features a satisfyingly tactile rotating dial, allowing users to control sunrise and sunset-inspired light sequences paired with curated, nature-inspired soundscapes. From rhythmic alphorn tones to immersive rainforest recordings, the experience is a world away from the jarring beep of a traditional alarm. The accompanying Tala app enables seamless smart home integration and personalised sleep schedule creation, blending intuitive technology with a physical, sensory interface.
Thomas Heatherwick, founder of Heatherwick Studio, articulated the driving philosophy behind the project. “In the realm of sleep, the digital revolution has been wreaking havoc,” he stated. “Wake is our attempt to re-establish the sacredness of sleep and bring back analogue calm into the digital age.” The lamp is positioned as an antidote to the “plasticky tech devices” that clutter our lives, instead using gentle light and sound to conjure the restorative power of nature right by your bedside.
The science behind Wake is as considered as its design. Light is the primary cue for our circadian rhythm, and the lamp is engineered to support this natural biological process. It simulates a gradual, biologically effective sunrise to encourage a more natural waking state, while its warm, dim evening settings help promote melatonin release for better sleep onset. This approach directly counters the harmful effects of blue light exposure from phones and other screens, which is known to suppress melatonin and disrupt sleep patterns.
Josh Ward, co-founder of Tala, emphasised the importance of habit formation for better sleep. “Better sleep starts with better habits,” he noted. The product encourages a three-step sleep protocol: setting a regular sleep-wake schedule, removing phones from the bedroom, and engaging in screen-free wind-down rituals like reading. Wake supports these habits by replacing the phone’s functions with a dedicated, serene device, helping to retrain our bodies and minds for deeper, more restorative rest.
Positioned at the intersection of design integrity, materiality, and sleep science, Wake marks Tala’s first foray into the growing smart lighting market. With a price of £255 (approximately $295 / €305), it responds to a rapidly expanding global focus on sleep wellness. Available through tala.co.uk and John Lewis, this collaboration between a pioneering design studio and a leader in sustainable lighting offers a compelling, human-centric alternative for anyone seeking to redesign their relationship with sleep, light, and technology in our hyper-connected world.