New Lighting at Euroluce 2023 in Milan

One thing that stood out was the new hall layout for the Euroluce lighting fair according to an urban model. The Lombardini22 architecture firm conceived broader corridors between the exhibition spaces and created angles of view that occasionally enabled previews of the stands to come.

Trends in the lighting industry

Tracks, cords and spatial installations: many lighting manufacturers scored with flexible systems that are individually variable not only for residential use, but for offices and hotels as well. Thanks to LEDs, a great many luminaire heads can be swapped out and combined to create expansive solutions. Trend-setters among the individual lamps are new products featuring special materials such as wood, extravagant textures and fabric shades – all produced with innovative manufacturing technologies or traditional handwork.

Lichtsysteme

The Artemide stand introduced Carlotta de Bevilacqua’s Sylt: a track in the form of a narrow, malleable band that is fixed to the ceiling. Using an adapter, various luminaires from the Artemide product range can be integrated into the band.

A particularly expressive lamp is the Dreispitz created by Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with Artemide. The design is based on a long, prism-like aluminum module that serves as the starting point for a variety of configurations. This luminaire can be suspended, mounted onto the wall or used as a standing lamp with a foot.

Luminaire Dreispitz by Herzog & De Meuron for Artemide, © Artemide, Ferrari

Michael Anastassiades worked with Flos to develop the My Circuit luminaire. This track system consists of flexible rubber with a thin copper band to conduct electricity. It can be bent to suit any interior design. A diverse range of lighting elements is available, from discs to spots to sticks.

The Circuit light track from Flos, © Francesco Caredda

Traditional production techniques

For Vibia, German designer Meike Harde has designed the Knit series, which is characterized by knitted lampshades, soft surfaces and organic forms that provide atmospheric light.

Vibia luminaire series Knit designed by Maike Harde, © Vibia

Axolight presented the Salina lamp, an interior and exterior luminaire made of fabric and designed by Francesca de Giorgi. Salina floats lightly with its four thin sticks and metal details that allow it to move and create an interplay of light and shade.

The luminaire Salina designed by Francesca de Giorgi for Axolight, © Axolight

Foscarini introduced Pli, a hanging lamp whose light source becomes a supporting structure. Like a needle, the source is guided through a thin sheet and produces a range of soft folds, drapes and waves. The design is the brainchild of Felicia Arvid, a young Danish designer. The luminaire is available in wood or paper.

The pendant lamp Pli of Foscarini, © Foscarini

Glass, a traditional lighting material, revealed its charm. At the fair, it was represented by Czech manufacturers such as Lasvit and Brokis.   

Brokis booth at Euroluce 2023, © Martin Chum

Experiments with material

An indication of the potential inherent in LED and innovative material developments is the Ray luminaire by Midgard. The prototype, which was designed by Cristian Loddo & Hugo Berger, surprises with its creative handling of material tension and weight. Ray comprises a mere three pluggable components: a metal foot, a luminaire head and an adjustable arm of flexible strip steel.

The floor lamp Ms. Bowjangles designed by Anna Boch and David Engelhorn for Ingo Maurer. © Ingo Maurer

Ingo Maurer presented the Ms. Bowjangles standing lamp, which was designed by Anna Boch and David Engelhorn. The lamp gets its characteristic curvature from a spring steel covered with coloured fabric. An optical illusion creates the impression that the shade is held only by the wrapping of the cord.