Balsam is an architect and specialist in integrated urbanism with a passion for the artistic expression of cultural heritage through product design. Desert Lotus combines the duality of nature, artisanal craftsmanship and technology to allow each user to have a personalized experience. The lotus consists of three petals that open and close. Each salt piece is patterned due to the natural forces during its formation and calcification, creating unique petals. The salt is extracted from an Egyptian Oasis, where it is one of its Bedouin community’s main cultural revenues. The salt slabs are translucent and emit an ambient light when back lit. Through Desert Lotus, Balsam highlights the characteristics of this natural element in an interactive way, by designing and programming the Lotus to light up through a mobile application and light sensor. With that, it is alive and responsive to its surrounding. Prototyping of Desert Lotus took place between Egypt, Lebanon and Germany.