Meljac reveals collaboration with Marc Newson
(France) - Meljac has developed a new solid brass collection in collaboration with Australian designer Marc Newson.
The new range, characterised by elegant curves, is aesthetically bold and pleasantly satisfying to the touch. This innovative collection of switches, featuring a sleek design and contrasting finishes, is produced in France. It reflects the winning combination of state-of-the-art technologies and meticulous craftsmanship.
"We are very proud of this new line, the result of 18 months of painstaking research and development. The partnership with Marc Newson showcases Meljac’s expertise and its unique role as a test bed for bespoke products, making it highly sought after by architects and designers. Our company’s strength lies in its high-end innovation – it is a pioneer in its sector," says Jean-Michel Lagarde, Managing Director of Meljac.
The Solaris collection features remodelled curved edges, a new slender, flattened toggle and a flush concave push button. The innovative, carefully designed shapes offer ease of use and a unique and satisfying tactile experience. The contrast between the brushed brass finish of the plate and the shiny black base of the toggle accentuates the elegant lines of the switch. The Solaris switch, produced to exacting standards of precision thanks to Meljac’s skilled craftsmanship, is an attractive, sensuous yet wonderfully functional piece.
Lodes launches Aile, Cima and Jim as part of its new 2021 collection
(Italy) - Lodes has unveiled the latest products within its 2021 collection with the addition of three the new products.
The Jim suspension lamp by multidisciplinary French designer Patrick Norguet, the Aile wall lamp by renowned Italian designer Luca Nichetto, and the Cima suspended lamp by Vienna-based Marco Dessí will all join the brand’s existing portfolio of contemporary lighting.
Following Lodes’ recent rebrand, these three designs express the company’s refreshed approach to manufacturing innovation and contemporary design, marking 2021 as a new era for the family-run brand.
Inspired by the lampshades of the ateliers of the early 1900s, Jim is a system of suspension lamps with distinctive shapes and a versatile composition that suits any interior. The distinctive geometric shapes of the lampshades, contemporary colour palette and use of standard lights make Jim a fully customisable lighting piece for both residential and commercial applications.
Suspended from a self-supporting cable running through a transparent tinted methacrylate hook, Jim offers a set of four metal shades with different shapes and diameters, whilst the suspension lamp sheds direct light downwards indirectly illuminating the hook above the lampshade.
A large dome shade of 50cm is available as a single suspension lamp, while the three smaller geometric shades - cylinder, cone and bell - can be used either individually or in cluster compositions on canopies. Jim’s versatility is further enhanced by the colour range: the four different finishes (white, champagne, bronze and black) for the shades can be combined with the three different hook hues as desired (turquoise, honey and grey).
Designed by Luca Nichetto, the Aile wall lamp features a simple design with a dynamic shape reminiscing the aileron of sport cars, after which it has been named. The warm white light is directed upwards to the wall and is then captured by the spoiler, which glows and diffuses it downwards, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Aile stands out not only for its characteristic sleek silhouette but also for its compact size (192mm length x 82mm height, protruding 100mm from the wall) making it a highly functional lamp. Aile is available in matte black and matte white, understated colours that match any décor, alongside a sophisticated champagne finish and deep lacquer red, reminiscent of the character and speed of Italian luxury fast cars.
Cima, a nautical rope in Italian, is inspired by the function of the jam cleats found in sailing boats. An eye-catching suspended lamp, this light is characterised by a ceiling-to-floor rope (4000mm) with an eyelet that can be fixed to the ceiling. Conceived as a sleek and highly functional design element, the rope comes with three finishes (gold, yellow and silver) to suit any interiors and décor mood. Made of polymer, the black, injection-moulded joint slides vertically along the rope and locks at any desired point. The body of the lamp connected to the joint can be swivelled to aim light in specific directions while the counterweight enables users to readjust any excess rope for lower ceilings.
Lama Arouri becomes Managing Director of Studio N
(Dubai) - Alex Holler will step down as Managing Director of Studio N in March.
Lama Arouri will step into the role of Managing Director moving forward. Arouri joined Nulty in 2020 as business development director and has over ten years of experience working in the lighting industry. With her experience spanning both industrial and architectural lighting, Arouri will bring both strategic planning and local market knowledge to her new role.
“I am thrilled to be joining Studio N at an exciting time in the company’s development. My focus will be on driving continued growth for the business, as well as positioning Studio N as the first choice in delivering lighting consultation,” says Lama Arouri.
“In her previous role at Nulty, Lama played a pivotal role in generating new business. She is a natural fit to lead Studio N to greater heights and I’m delighted to have her on board,” comments Paul Nulty, Founder.
Nuura releases new pendant collection, Rizatto
(Denmark) - Rizatto, the newest collection of decorative pendants, are created by Italian designer Paolo Rizatto for Nuura.
"I have recently been working extensively with the topic of chandeliers. This fascinating subject has always been on my mind throughout my career as a lighting designer. That was why I enjoyed the stimulating challenge of creating a new collection of lamps based on the chandelier," says Paolo Rizatto.
Paolo began working on the new collection taking his inspiration from Oskar Schlemmer's 'Triadischen Ballett' from 1924.
"Throughout my extensive career as a lighting designer, I have received many invitations to work with lots of different stakeholders in the lighting sector: multinational corporations, and companies of all sizes. I have not considered these offers since 1978, when I founded my previous company, Luceplan. Until now," says Rizatto.
The Rizatto collection has been designed to last, and comprises two pendants and a ceiling light. The organic shapes created by the mouth-blown glass are one feature all three have in common. The pendants comprise brass-coloured anodised aluminium and mouth-blown glass. The light unfolds from its source, and diffuses wonderfully through the opal-white glass, creating soft, comfortable quality lighting. Two of the pendants are height-adjustable, making them versatile for use in private homes or public places. The ceiling light is mounted directly on the ceiling, making it possible to create unique, decorative ceiling lighting.
The collaboration with Paolo Rizzatto is part of Nuura's strategy of working with external designers to enrich and create greater diversity within Nuura's design range. Nuura's collections are based on the chandelier, and external designers must work in quality materials that provide high-quality light diffusion.
Nuura takes its inspiration from the Nordic design tradition, based on simplicity combined with respect for nature and the environment. The objective is to create an aesthetic design that spreads joy and quality lighting.
"Working with Paolo has been inspirational and educational. He is one of the most exciting lighting designers on the international scene and has created a whole range of stunning classics. Paolo has extensive experience within lighting and works with considerable attention to detail. The combination of his immense passion for light and lighting design brings a fantastic degree of energy to our partnership," says Sofie Refer, Creative Director, Nuura.
The new collection is expected to be in stock by July 2021.
Nemo's latest decorative floor lamp released
(Italy) - Nemo launches its newest decorative piece, the Fox floor lamp.
"As in nature, a minimal of energy and material can fulfil a function at its best."
B.O. Fox is the new design by Bernhard Osann for Nemo; a dimmable LED floor lamp with direct lighting and a steel matte black painted structure. Its slewing arc and its directional cylindric head allow to flexibly alter the light beam.
Reduced to its most essential elements, Fox creates a graphic impression within a room and allows large movements to the user. The slewing arc takes into account that these days, rooms are used much more flexibly; with one turn you can shift the light from the dining table to the couch.
Clear lines are a trait in all Osann’s works, the simple aesthetic exposes the true function and timeless essence of the object. Fox goes beyond illumination, it ranges somewhere between sculpture and tool: “A lamp makes a statement in relation to the surrounding space also when switched off“, affirms the designer. He continues: “All my designs are dynamic. I playfully incorporate movement, flexibility and balance on different levels. I simplify the objects and reduce the material input to a minimum and hence expose these dynamics.”
Fox mixes minimal design with innovative elements, the interaction between user and light source represents a key aspect and a relationship that goes beyond switching on and off.
Tom Dixon expands with new Shanghai Hub
(UK) - In January, Tom Dixon opened its latest Hub in Shanghai, as part of its expansion into Asia.
The new Hub is in Xintiandi, a cosmopolitan luxury design, fashion and hospitality destination in the centre of Shanghai.
The flagship sits within a traditional Chinese building and is surrounded by Shikumen architecture. Shikumen, which translates to 'stone gate', is a Shanghainese architectural style, which blends traditional Chinese architecture and social behaviour with elements of Western design.
The Hub has a minimalist, clean and industrial interior. The open-plan layout references the Shkiumen organisation of spaces, with rooms arranged around a Central Hall and Courtyard. The main entrance and exterior features prominent double wooden doors and geometric wooden patterning on the windows.
Tom Dixon's studio dropped several massive blocks of quarried solid stone in the centre of the new Hub, acting as podiums for accessories.
The Shanghai Hub pays homage to its hero products, such as Fat, Spring, and Windback, as well as pendant systems of Melt, Mirror Ball, Beat and Bird Chaise. It also displays a selection of its latest collections.
Azure - well-lit
well-lit launches flexible LED filament pendants, Azure. The decorative lighting fixtures are a functional light source, perfect for hospitality and residential applications.
Azure by well-lit is a new, sustainable and stylish LED lamp range with a flexible filament. Designed in collaboration with David Huang, the range has been in development for the last 12 months; a few months to create the initial ideas and prototypes and a longer amount of time spent on finalising the design and manufacturing process.
Form follows function with well-lit’s flexible LED filament that runs discreetly around the lower edge of a hand-blown glass pendant. The conventional LED fixture is turned into both a light source and a fixture with Azure and is available in a selection of shapes and sizes.
“Whenever you work with glass, it’s imperative the product reaches the customer scratch-free and without blemishes,” explains Well-lit. “All our glass is mouth-blown by artisans with huge experience, so making it perfect isn’t the issue – but adding the electronics and the E27 cap, and ensuring the product doesn’t get damaged during shipping, demands a lot of extra skill and dedication.
“The vast majority of the product is glass, so it’s a very simple product from a materials perspective. Each completed glass shape is washed twice by hand, inside and out. We then insert a flexible LED filament right around the base, and that’s powered by a transparent link between the filament and the E27 cap.
“The key to the Azure range is the patented flexible LED filament. As an award-winning British lighting manufacturer, Well-lit has been working with flexible LED filaments since 2016: the technology has changed the way we think about LED bulbs and how to design them in the future,” adds the brand.
The Azure range was originally designed to be a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing decorative lighting solution for restaurants, bars, coffee shops and hotels. However, since its launch, the collection has been well received by interior designers who have used it throughout residential projects, particularly over kitchen islands and dining tables.
“Azure represents a complete rethink of LED fittings for hospitality lighting. Combining the fixture and the light source in one unit makes the product as easy to install and maintain as an ordinary LED light source – and the design is incredibly versatile. It looks fantastic in just about any context - contemporary, urban, vintage, or classic.
“The elegant pendants make a statement from the moment you fit them, and switching on transforms them into wonderful illuminated objects, casting a soft warm glow as the light interacts with the glass,” concludes well-lit.
The Science of Light and Learning in Lockdown
Women in Lighting host Dr Shelley James for an insightful and informative session, in which she shares some of the latest research on the powerful long-term impact of light on the growing eye and brain. Throughout the session, she suggests how we can make the most of these insights to make healthier choices for our homes and schools.
Dr James also introduces her latest project – a global public engagement campaign to raise awareness of how light affects health and wellbeing among people, building on a successful webinar series last year. This campaign is supported by an international network of scientists and education experts.
Video courtesy of Light Collective.
www.womeninlighting.com
www.ageoflightinnovations.com
Lodes launches new line with Diesel
(Italy) - Lodes and the international lifestyle brand Diesel, owned by the OTB group, announce the launch of the Diesel Living with Lodes line.
Comprising of three exclusive additions (Flask, Vinyl and Urban Concrete) as well as five renovated best sellers (Cage, Fork, Gask, Glass Drop and Pipe), the new Diesel Living with Lodes collection features a versatile selection of lighting pieces for residential spaces and public interiors.
The collection is inspired by contrasting opposites, such as reality and perception, whilst imbued with Diesel’s irreverent directional design language and Lodes’ distinctive brand tenets.
Lambert & Fils unveils the new Atelier line
(Canada) - Lambert & Fils launch new lighting range after the opening of its new US-based showroom.
After the opening last December of its first showroom in New York, Tribeca, Lambert&Fils introduces the seven showpieces of the new Atelier line, showcased in the new location.
Atelier is a new line of sculptural, showpiece models, imagined by the Lambert & Fils design studio without material limitation or constraint.
"I wanted to revisit the vocabulary we had created with each collection, and imagine what new phrases we could come up with, using the same words", says Samuel Lambert. "For me, it’s a way to both honour the last ten years and push ourselves further and deeper."
Seven Atelier models are on display at the recently opened Hudson and Duane showroom. New models will be launched periodically over the upcoming year.
United in Design's Apprenticeship & Mentor programme commences in April
(UK) - Diversity initiative United in Design announced its first Apprenticeship Scheme for enrolment in 2021 as well as launching their mentorship programme for aspiring black, Asian, and minority ethnic designers hoping to break into the industry.
The Apprenticeship is open to all final year graduates of undergraduate interiors and spatial programmes including Certificate, Diploma and BA students. The 2021 apprenticeship will grant a one year paid pavement across four prestigious London practices, welcoming applications from black, Asian, and minority ethnic students.
The apprenticeship scheme offers the opportunity for graduates from around the country to experience what it is like to work in the design industry via a series of short work placements over the period of a year. There are currently six full time apprenticeship roles, each offered a salary of £22,000 to support development throughout and encourage applications from a diverse portfolio of early-stage designers.
The placements were available with the following renowned studios and practices, which will offer an unparalleled experience to learn and grow, nurturing new talent. The successful applicants will have the opportunity to discover different disciplines via the below apprenticeships:
Balineum, Fromental, Laura Hammett, David Collins Studio
Claire Gaskin, BradyWilliams, De Rosee Sa, Eggersman Design
Katharine Pooley, Porta Romana, Kate Guiness, Peter Mikic
Portia Fox, Salvesen Graham, The New Craftsmen, Design Stories
Taylor Howes, Joyce Wang Studio, CP Hart
The year-round mentoring programme has also begun, with United in Design pairing experienced design professionals with aspiring designers aged 18 and above; with mentees being offered one-to-one meetings or video calls on at least a quarterly basis to help seek guidance to break into the industry. Mentors currently signed up include an esteemed committee of leading editors and designers in the field. Applications to mentor or be mentored are open via The United in Design website, with further training available for prospective mentors via the initiative’s partnership with Creative Design Network.
Co-founded by Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby and Alexandria Dauley of Dauley Design, United in Design’s core objective is to deliver an equal opportunity pathway to entry into the Interior Design industry by creating a UK-wide movement with an actionable roadmap for increased diversity in all sectors of the industry —from design studios, makers and suppliers to individuals and magazines.
The Apprenticeship application process closed on 22 January 2021, with apprenticeships commencing from 5 April 2021.
Mentor or Mentee applications are also open for applications here.
Alexandria Dauley and Sophie Ashby commented: "We are incredibly proud of United in Design and the strides we are making to help diversify the Interior Design industry. We want to open doors, educate, and create a truly inclusive industry that celebrates people from all ethnic backgrounds. Increasing opportunities for designers from ethnic minority backgrounds will help to change the narrative and stereotype of Interior Design for both those practicing the profession and for the end user and client base. Design is for everyone and all should be welcome."
Laura Hammett, Founder, Laura Hammett says, "This industry needs to be driven by talent rather than access and I’m so proud to be playing even a small part in this call for change, which is long overdue."
Yelena Ford, Managing Director at The New Craftsmen adds, "We are proud to be a part of such a brilliant and necessary initiative. Opportunity and access is not an even playing field, especially in interior design, art and craft. By giving young people through the UiD programme the opportunity to gain real insight into these different worlds and nurture new talent, we hope that we can play a part in developing a more inclusive landscape and also enrich a sector with more diverse voices and perspectives."
Simon Rawlings, Creative Director at David Collins Studio, says, "Having been part of the design industry for over 20 years, it’s incredibly important to promote diversity and inclusion throughout everything we are involved with both internally and externally. To have a group of like minded creatives, come together to discuss, promote and to unify on these issues ensures one vision, one goal, and makes the tasks at hand achievable, and the successes greater."
Women in Lighting win LIT Lighting Design Award
(UK) - Women in Lighting wins LIT Lighting Design Award.
The WiL project is the winner of the 2020 Spotlight prize from the LIT Lighting Design Awards.
The LIT Lighting Design Awards was created to recognise the efforts of talented international lighting product designers and lighting implementers and to celebrate creativity and innovation in the field of lighting.
"Spotlight is a special prize that rewards an organisation or project which carries out remarkable work for its community, and for being a major contributor in the lighting industry,” says founder of the LIT Lighting Design Awards, Mr. Hossein Farmani. “Women in Lighting exemplifies our expectations for Spotlight, as the project supports the important work of women in the industry by creating an inclusive environment in the profession. We couldn’t be prouder of this initiative and look forward to seeing their continued work into the future."
"The WiL team are proud to accept this special award on behalf of all people who have participated in the project, the entire global WiL network and its supporters. It’s great to have the project recognised in this way as one of the main reasons for starting it was to raise the profile of women in lighting and to inspire others," says the team behind the initiative.
