Three questions to Luca Nichetto
Anna Moldenhauer: Luca, you have been accompanying luminaire manufacturer Lodes, which used to be called Studio Italia Design, through their rebrand process. How did you approach the firm’s creative development?
Luca Nichetto: Before I could embark on repositioning the luminaire makers I had to first analyze its program and structure. Afterwards I was able to advise the team responsible for the new products planned in its choice of processing, materials, and colors. Lodes was strongly oriented towards technical specialists; they didn’t have any design luminaires. I’m finding the process very exciting, immersing myself in the product palette and understanding what the company needs to advance. For Lodes I have developed the “Jefferson” suspension luminaire, the “Easy Peasy” table luminaire, the wall luminaire “Aile”, and the “Croma” standing lamp. Moreover, I was able to connect the team with other designers such as Marco Dessí. For “Cima”, which is suspended by a cable running from floor to ceiling, he took his inspiration from the structure of Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzù’ “Parentesi” luminaire. Patrick Norguet designed the suspension luminaire “JIM” with indirect light for Lodes. There are many components involved in creating the Lodes design brand. The company is heading in the right direction now.
The “Croma” standing lamp is your current creation for Lodes; it is slender and features a dim-to-warm function enabling users to change from cold to warm light. The focus is on the atmosphere that the light of the luminaire offers rather than its form. Does this mark a change in luminaire design for you?
Luca Nichetto: Instead of placing the emphasis on one aspect I am more interested in creating products that overcome the divide between home and business spaces. This makes luminaires more enduring because they can work in various contexts. Simultaneously, they need their own character, a personality that strengthens the entire portfolio. For example, as regards form and function the portable table luminaire “Easy Peasy” and the “Croma” floor luminaire could not be more different; “Easy Peasy” is iconic, while “Croma” puts the focus on the light. It’s also possible to choose from four individual surfaces for “Croma”. Both luminaires can fit into different settings.
Though since its early days, Lodes has been firmly associated with glass and its creative handling, recently this has been complemented by the clarity of linear luminaires of metal. Why are traditional craftsmanship and modern technology of equal importance?
Luca Nichetto: Glass is the DNA of Lodes, but it is also important to research into other materials for the future. Given our fast-paced industry a luminaire manufacturer should never be too dependent on a single process. Take the LED “Croma” floor lamp for which we used metal but were inspired by the qualities of glass to produce the iridescent surface.
