Marvel gems: fragments of light

Atlas Concorde has introduced Marvel Meraviglia, a new ceramic series within its Marvel World family, which celebrates the timeless elegance of Calacatta marble. This collection specifically honors Calacatta Meraviglia, a marble renowned for its luminosity, fine-grained white background, and distinct veining, making it a prestigious choice for refined interior design projects. The Marvel World range, initiated over a decade ago, aims to translate the appeal of exquisite marbles into ceramic surfaces. The Marvel Meraviglia collection meticulously captures the nuances, mottling, and delicate textures of the original Tuscan Calacatta marble, offering a versatile array of design solutions. The aesthetic research behind the collection involved reinterpreting soft, neutral tones such as Calacatta Bernini and Silver Majestic, alongside the sophisticated Grigio Elegante. The collection also features the classic black and white combination, contrasting the white of Calacatta Meraviglia with the deep, dark tones of Black Origin. Atlas Concorde's detailed approach ensures a realistic rendering of marble's graphic marks and natural colors, with various formats available to imbue surfaces with an absolute elegance. In addition to existing glossy, matt, and textured finishes, the collection introduces Velvetech technology. This innovative surface treatment, inspired by polished natural stones, enhances visual and tactile effects, creating a silky and iridescent reflection reminiscent of precious fabrics. This technology allows for a highly sophisticated ceramic interpretation of marble. The Marvel Meraviglia collection is further distinguished by a significant collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects. This partnership has resulted in the creation of the Diamond decor, a contemporary pattern that reimagines the concept of mosaic. While drawing inspiration from Cosmatesque mosaics, which feature intricate weaves of marble and glass inlays, Diamond evolves this tradition by portraying transformation through the progressive dissolution of modular forms. This creates a dynamic metamorphosis, where intersecting elements disrupt traditional geometric patterns, suggesting the insertion of a foreign body into a crystalline structure. Efrem Grasselli, Global Marketing Director at Atlas Concorde, highlights that the Diamond decoration represents a fusion of diverse styles and values, pushing the boundaries of contemporary decorative design. Paolo Zilli, Associate Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, explains that the Diamond design was a result of extensive studies and close collaboration with Atlas Concorde's technical teams. The design process allowed for creative autonomy, exploring the interplay between repetitive pattern decoration and Zaha Hadid Architects' distinctive parametric approach. The final outcome effectively responds to the specific design brief, evolving beyond classic mosaic patterns to offer a fluid and transformative surface design. This collaboration underscores Atlas Concorde's commitment to combining traditional aesthetic appeal with modern architectural innovation. #MarvelMeraviglia #CalacattaMarble #AtlasConcorde #ZahaHadidArchitects #CeramicDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalSurfaces #HomeDecor #LuxuryFinishes

The Scraplights lighting collection by Graypants, a modern design team, showcases a commitment to storytelling through design, with an emphasis on the process and craftsmanship behind their products. The company, humorously named after its founders' initial meeting while wearing identical gray pants, focuses on creating designs that resonate with individuals and extend beyond their physical form. This ethos is particularly evident in their flagship Scraplights collection. The Scraplights are meticulously handcrafted from recycled cardboard, highlighting a dedication to sustainability and unique material utilization. The inherent qualities of the recycled cardboard impart a classic dark edge to the fixtures, which beautifully accentuates the warm light emitted through the corrugated layers. In addition to the natural cardboard finish, the collection also features an option made from custom-produced entirely white corrugated cardboard, offering an elevated and distinct aesthetic while retaining the signature layered design. Each Scraplight fixture is engineered to provide warm, intimate, and functional lighting suitable for various applications and spaces. The production process involves precision laser-cutting of the cardboard components, followed by careful hand-assembly using non-toxic adhesive. This combination of advanced technology and artisanal skill ensures the durability and quality of each piece. As a crucial safety and environmental measure, all Scraplights are treated with a non-toxic fire retardant, making them both robust and elegant additions to any interior. The collection includes a diverse range of lighting options, such as the Tilt Natural Floor Lamp, which offers a striking visual presence, and the Tilt White Table Lamp, providing a more compact yet equally sophisticated option. Pendant lights are a significant part of the Scraplights range, with models like the Drum24 Natural Pendant Light and Ohio24 Natural Pendant Light presenting unique spherical and elongated forms. Larger pendant options include the Dome36 Natural Pendant Light, designed for a more pronounced statement, and the Ausi8 Natural Pendant Light, offering a distinct geometric shape. Further expanding the variety, the collection features the Bell10 and Bell16 Natural Pendant Lights, characterized by their elegant bell-like silhouettes, and the Drop18 and Drop26 Natural Pendant Lights, which provide a flowing, elongated design. The Hive12 Natural Pendant Light offers a unique, intricate structure, while the Nest24 Pendant Light presents a more organic and encompassing form. Complementary table lamps like the Ausi Natural Table Lamp and Ebey White Table Lamp offer smaller, versatile lighting solutions. Additional pendant styles, such as the Allyn White Pendant Light and Alki White Pendant Light, introduce further variations in form and size, demonstrating the versatility of cardboard as a design material. Graypants’ Scraplights collection, available through the Design Milk Shop, represents a harmonious blend of innovative design, sustainable practices, and meticulous craftsmanship, transforming everyday recycled material into sophisticated and functional lighting fixtures for contemporary living spaces. #Graypants #Scraplights #CardboardLighting #RecycledDesign #SustainableDesign #HomeFurnishings #InteriorLighting #ModernDesign #Handcrafted

The 'Accent Light' is a limited-edition desk lamp designed by Zürich-based designer Fritz Jakob Gräber, focusing on perspectives, symmetries, and colors. Gräber, who possesses extensive experience across various crafts, aims to create an eclectic range of products, furniture, and lighting. The 'Accent Light' exemplifies his approach to design, which centers on transforming flat materials into three-dimensional forms. The development of the 'Accent Light' was driven by Gräber's ambition to establish his own design practice and produce his own editions, a challenging endeavor for a young designer. The lamp is designed to be highly practical, emphasizing ease of production, storage, and shipment through its super flatpack design. This minimizes labor costs and logistical complexities, making it an efficient product to manufacture and distribute. The lamp's aesthetic is minimalistic yet visually striking, crafted from a specialized type of paper. This material choice is integral to the lamp's ability to create volume from a flat form. The production process involves a unique technique where all envelopes are hand-printed on a Dainippon flatbed offset machine, a vintage piece of equipment from 1971. This detail highlights Gräber's dedication to craftsmanship and his appreciation for traditional printing methods, adding a unique character to each lamp. Functionally, the 'Accent Light' emits a subtle warm downlight, designed to create an inviting and cozy atmosphere. The lamp is a limited edition, with only seven pieces produced, all manufactured in Switzerland. This exclusivity underscores its status as a collectible design object, reflecting the designer's personal commitment to quality and unique artistry. The limited availability and local production emphasize the bespoke nature of Gräber's work and his focus on maintaining high standards of craftsmanship. The design reflects a blend of artistic vision and practical considerations, addressing both aesthetic appeal and the challenges of independent production. The 'Accent Light' is not just a lighting fixture but a statement piece that embodies the designer's philosophy of creating impactful objects from simple materials while managing the complexities of establishing an independent brand in the design industry. #LightingDesign #LimitedEdition #DeskLamp #FritzJakob #MinimalisticDesign #SwissDesign #Handcrafted #ProductDesign #InteriorDesign

Giopato & Coombes, a lighting studio based in Treviso, Italy, was founded in 2014 by Cristiana and Christopher. Both partners, an architect and a designer by profession, gained extensive experience working for other companies before establishing their own studio. Their first collection, launched in the same year, aimed to create multi-sensorial objects with a magical quality. The studio's recent 'Fragments of Infinity' exhibition, held at their own gallery during Milan Design Week, showcased their unique approach to lighting design. The design philosophy of Giopato & Coombes integrates Venetian artisanal craftsmanship with advanced lighting technology. This blend results in pieces that appear to defy gravity and time. The core materials used in their creations are glass, brass, and marble, meticulously detailed to achieve an ethereal aesthetic. To enhance the otherworldly feel, the designers incorporate hidden elements such as Kevlar, aeronautical-grade stainless steel, and 3D printing techniques, along with concealed light sources. The founders articulate that their passion drives them to explore and innovate within their chosen materials, pushing the boundaries of conventional design. This dedication leads them to create objects that, while unconventional, might evoke a sense of familiarity or connection to the past. Their work emphasizes a deep investigation into the 'mix of ingredients' to continuously evolve their designs and face new creative challenges. The exhibit featured various installations demonstrating these principles. Large, sculptural lighting fixtures, often suspended or freestanding, were displayed within a minimalist space, allowing the intricate details and interplay of light and material to take center stage. The use of reflective surfaces and carefully positioned lighting created an immersive experience, highlighting the 'fragments of infinity' concept by manipulating perception and space. Cristiana and Christopher's dedication to merging traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology defines Giopato & Coombes' distinctive aesthetic. Each piece in the 'Fragments of Infinity' collection is a testament to their commitment to innovation, blending the tangible with the intangible to create lighting objects that are both functional and artistic. The exhibit provided a comprehensive view of their studio's creative output, emphasizing their ongoing exploration of form, light, and material through a blend of engineering and artistic expression. #LightingDesign #GiopatoCoombes #MilanDesignWeek #HomeFurnishings #ItalianDesign #ArtisanalCraftsmanship #ContemporaryLighting #ProductDesign #DesignExhibition

The Matter standard has gained significant attention for its potential to unify smart home devices, but its application in fully assembled lighting fixtures has been relatively underexplored. While the market is populated with LED bulbs and light strips, there has been a noticeable lack of decorative luminaires with built-in Matter technology, especially outside of integrated systems like Philips Hue or Wiz. Ledvance, a Chinese LED specialist also known under the brand names Osram and Sylvania in Europe and North America, is addressing this gap by launching over 80 lighting models designed to be Matter-enabled. These new Ledvance products will connect to home networks using Wi-Fi (Matter over Wi-Fi), ensuring compatibility with various smart home ecosystems, including those from Amazon, Apple, Google, and SmartThings. For users who prefer not to rely on these larger platforms, the Ledvance Smart+ app offers an alternative control method. The extensive product line aims to cover a wide range of lighting needs and applications within a smart home environment. The initial offerings include track lights, which are spotlights and floodlights designed for Ledvance’s high-voltage track system. Specifically, two tracklights named 'Circle' and 'Osaka' are highlighted. These adjustable and pivoting spots are available in black or white finishes and offer tunable white light, allowing users to adjust the color temperature from 3000 K to 6500 K. These fixtures are ideal for accentuating wall art or specific furniture pieces. Beyond track lighting, Ledvance is introducing a variety of decorative wall sconces, including models crafted from wood, such as the Orbis Wood series, which provide indirect lighting. Some of these wall lights, like the splash-proof Orbis Bath series and Orbis Aqua, are specifically designed for use in bathrooms, typically mounted near mirrors. While many models feature tunable white light, there are also RGB variants available, such as the Adjustable Beam Wall light cube, offering a broader spectrum of color options. For general room illumination, surface-mounted ceiling lights with names like Claria, Spiral, and Stea will offer remote-controllable lighting. This category is further complemented by downlights and flush-mounted models, providing versatile lighting solutions for different ceiling types and aesthetic preferences. The Planon series, designed for panel lighting, will be available in various sizes and thicknesses, ranging from compact square panels (30 × 30 cm) to larger panels up to 120 cm in length. These panel lights, particularly the Planon Plus series, are also suitable for office environments. The launch of this new range of Matter-capable fixtures is anticipated to begin in the fall, with the first models expected to be released in October. This initiative by Ledvance signifies a crucial step towards standardizing lighting control in the consumer market, fulfilling a long-held expectation for a uniform smart home lighting ecosystem. The manufacturer's international product pages provide comprehensive details on the upcoming product lines. #SmartHome #MatterStandard #Ledvance #SmartLighting #HomeAutomation #CeilingLights #WallLights #DecorativeLuminaires #WiFiConnectivity

The Marvel Meraviglia collection, developed by Italian brand Atlas Concorde, introduces a new range of tiles that meticulously replicate the aesthetic qualities of natural marble. This collection is a result of Atlas Concorde's extensive research into faithfully reproducing the intricate grain patterns of various marble types. One of the primary inspirations for this collection is Calacatta Meraviglia, a highly sought-after white marble known for its distinctive appearance. This particular marble's characteristics are captured in one of the key designs within the collection, demonstrating the brand's commitment to ultra-realistic finishes. Beyond Calacatta Meraviglia, the collection expands to include a variety of other marble-inspired designs. Among these is Calacatta Bernini, another white marble variant distinguished by its warm grey veins, offering a subtle yet sophisticated option. For those seeking a more understated elegance, the Elegant Grey design presents a surface with delicate mottling, providing a nuanced texture. The collection also caters to preferences for darker tones with options like Silver Majestic, which features striking grey-on-grey striations, creating a dynamic visual effect. Complementing this, Black Origin offers a dramatic yet minimalist aesthetic, ideal for spaces that require a bold statement. Crafted from porcelain, these tiles are designed for versatility, making them suitable for both interior and exterior applications. A significant innovation within the Marvel Meraviglia collection is the introduction of the new Velvetech surface. This proprietary finish is engineered to provide a velvety tactile experience, enhancing the sensory appeal of the tiles. Furthermore, the Velvetech surface integrates a natural alternation of shiny and opaque areas, which serves to amplify the inherent texture and depth of the marble patterns. This combination of visual authenticity and enhanced tactility underscores the collection's aim to deliver high-quality, aesthetically rich, and functionally adaptable surfacing solutions. Atlas Concorde positions the Marvel Meraviglia collection as a premium offering in the tile market, leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques to create products that not only look like natural marble but also offer the practical benefits of porcelain, such as durability and ease of maintenance. The collection reflects a trend towards highly realistic material reproductions in architectural and interior design, providing designers and homeowners with sophisticated alternatives to natural stone. The meticulous attention to detail in replicating marble grains and the innovative Velvetech surface are central to the collection's appeal, aiming to provide a luxurious and authentic feel across diverse applications. #TileCollection #AtlasConcorde #MarbleInspired #PorcelainTiles #InteriorDesign #ExteriorDesign #VelvetechSurface #ArchitecturalFinishes #HomeDecoration

Neues Licht, a company whose name translates to "new light" in German, presented an innovative lighting fixture, the UFO Chandelier, at the Cologne Furniture Fair. This chandelier is a creation by designer Simon Bruenner and is characterized by its use of fiber optic cables arranged to form a floating, glowing ring, evoking a celestial or extraterrestrial aesthetic. Bruenner describes the design as embodying "simplicity from another planet," highlighting its unique and forward-thinking nature. The core innovation of Neues Licht's designs, including the UFO Chandelier, lies in their fiber optic technology. This technology allows for the light source to be separated from the fixture itself, offering significant design and functional advantages. For instance, the light source can be situated in a different room, which can contribute to a cleaner aesthetic and potentially reduce heat in the illuminated space. An even more sustainable application of this technology is the potential for the lights to be powered by natural sunlight, completely eliminating the need for electrical consumption for illumination. This concept aligns with modern sustainability goals and offers an avenue for energy independence in lighting. Furthermore, the inherent properties of fiber optics make these lighting fixtures completely waterproof. This feature expands their application possibilities to environments that traditionally pose challenges for electrical lighting, such as wet rooms, spas, and pool areas. The waterproof nature ensures safety and durability in moist conditions, opening up new avenues for sophisticated lighting design in these spaces. Another significant benefit of Neues Licht's fiber optic system is its energy efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements. A single light source can power multiple individual lights, leading to a substantial decrease in overall energy consumption compared to traditional lighting setups where each fixture requires its own power source. This centralized power approach also simplifies maintenance, as fewer individual components need to be managed or replaced, contributing to lower operational costs over time. The company posits its fiber optic lighting solutions as a glimpse into the future of illumination, emphasizing their combination of aesthetic appeal, technological innovation, energy efficiency, and functional versatility. #FiberOpticChandelier #NeuesLicht #UFOChandelier #LightingDesign #SimonBruenner #CologneFurnitureFair #EnergyEfficientLighting #WaterproofLighting #InteriorDesign