Designing light

What is important to you to convey with the new collections this year?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: When we update the Artemide collections, it is a synthesis of our values, research and a response to challenges that we have perceived worldwide. Artemide has always considered light as the basis of our lives and translates it through the culture of design for our spaces by the best architects. They are able to shape the world. The quality of light is essential for our health and well-being. Moreover, Artemide is a circular company, the cycle determines every step of our processes.

The range of works is very wide: "Wish you were here", for example, is a work by my daughter Carolina Gismondi de Bevilacqua, who is an architect and the luminaire is a tribute to her father, Ernesto Gismondi. "Criosfera" was designed by the architect and researcher Giulia Foscari, a cylindrical lamp with a patented optic and an external layer of glass that are mouth-blown in Venice. The shape is inspired by the ice cores that are extracted in the Antarctic for research purposes. It is a metaphor for understanding the world and climate change. And it is also about preserving the craft of glassblowing. The partnership and friendship with Fosters and Partners also continue, the "IXA" collection and the new "Vea" creates a balance in every position, a dialogue. At the centre of all the work is the importance of light, the collections are universal and long-lasting.

What should luminaire design offer to be more than a cover for light?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: The aim should always be to design something that doesn't yet exist. That improves the quality of light and also takes into account the emotions it triggers as well as the energy and material it requires. It's about delivering the best light based on science, efficient, controlled, flexible. "Somnium", for example, offers a carefully calculated light cell: the lens that captures and directs the light combines with the anti-glare screen that is transparent but ensure a perfect comfort. As a result, the louvre is no longer just an accessory, but an integral part of the structure. The synthesis of optical technology creates a soft, controlled light. Thanks to the combination of the elements, the variety of materials, the weight and the necessary production steps can also be reduced. The shape of the luminaire is the result of the science of light.

You combine humanism and science and have done pioneering work here – is there a potential of lighting that is often overlooked?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: Light has many properties that influence our health, our productivity and our well-being, so the designs of leading architects are a form of interaction for Artemide. We also design, produce and distribute our products with a clear commitment to longevity. To achieve this, we analyse every process.

Artemide works with large architecture offices such as BIG, AMDL Circle or Foster + Partners – why is collaboration with architects important to you?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: Since the beginning Ernesto Gismondi asks to architects to design the Artemide collection. Architects design the future space for living and working, they use the light as a construction material for the spaces and can suggest new need of light, not only new shape for lamps. We always try to work with international architects coming from different longitudes and latitudes to interpret all the different culture of light.

Artemide is following a holistic sustainability plan – what do you want to achieve by 2030?

Artemide has a strong and serious sustainability program and we are working to be aligned to the 2030 target from the Paris Agreement. This is the main target but we are working on a lot of different improvement for our company action and for our products that can bring sustainability in all places we are lighting. Artemide is certified ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, since 2019 it has joined the United Nation Global Compact committing itself to pursuing 9 SDGs, and since 2018 it has transparently witnessed its path with the certified Sustainability Report. Artemide designs long-lasting products with a view of quality and aesthetics, sustainable not only for low consumption but because they can be reinterpreted and designed for a long life, with a low environmental impact throughout the life cycle.

All the parameters, like energy consumption, waste, et cetera, of Artemide production are measured, published and certified in the annual Sustainability Report. This is why Artemide uses the latest generation of LED sources, designs dedicated optics, chooses shapes and materials that maximize light output and allows intelligent management, thus favoring a positive energy balance. In a lighting product, the use phase can affect up to 90 per cent of the impact of the entire life cycle, which is why the design of efficient products is essential.

What does the lighting industry currently need most urgently?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: Today it is crucial to reaffirm a vision, to be able to understand the new technological and cultural frontiers, to reflect on the needs of a global world that needs to be reinterpreted and respected to offer flexible, qualitative, accessible responses.

You studied architecture and have been teaching for many years, for example at the Politecnico di Milano, where you also graduated. How has this influenced your view of lighting design?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: My relationship with light has evolved over the years. I began my career as an architect, therefore working with light as a material for the construction of spaces.Then the meeting with Ernesto Gismondi led me to approach the light in all the aspects of his project.Designing light then transformed in the following years into doing business thanks to the teaching and daily experience with Ernesto Gismondi, founder of Artemide and lifelong companion. It was a natural evolution.In my professional life, I have always considered my duty the objective of trying to introduce better qualities and alternatives to what already exist. I have tried both as an architect and designer through the design of spaces and light as an indispensable material for life, and as an entrepreneur through vision and innovation to "distribute useful and beautiful" products, tools and solutions, to educate the present and contribute to the future. Teaching is part of this effort.

Your research on lighting and LEDs has been honoured with awards and patents, what are you currently researching?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: Light has experienced and is still experiencing a great revolution with the introduction of LEDs and electronics.It is increasingly science, parametric measurement and interaction. I’m researching all the different perspective that light can offer today, thee “right wavelenght” to interact with our pshycological-physiological wellbeing and health, the “quanta” to communicate and manage the energy.One of the latest innovation is the Integralis technology.

How can I imagine the dialogue back then between you and your husband Ernesto Gismondi, who founded Artemide, did you each have your own projects or did you work side by side?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: Like Discovery Dialogue! We had a different approach, interest and point of view but with great respect we always found a dialogue and shared ideas.

In which direction would you like to develop Artemide in the next few years?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: Carrying on the heritage of Ernesto Gismondi, Artemide merges creativity and measure, knowledge and know-how. Artemide invests in research and listen to the world aiming to
distributing value and designing the future in the present.

What are you planning for the Milan Design Week?

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: A lot of collaborations. In addition to the presentation in the showroom, we will be showing various installations in the city. Design began in Milan, the city is the starting point. We ourselves are Milanese, and for us the Salone is always a great interaction of all forces.

Artemide @ Milan Design Week
Corso Monforte 19, 20122 Milan

Opening hours:
10 am to 7 pm