The prototypes for Foscarini's 'Successful living from Diesel' collection; photo © Architonic
Two weeks ago, Dailytonic has paid a visit to the headquarters of one of our favourite (no exaggeration) Italian lighting brands, Foscarini, where, along with a small group of other international design enthusiasts from Muuuz, Yatzer and DesignMilk to name a few, we have met the wonderful team Foscarini who took us on an inspiring tour within the company’s airy, glass-cladded base located in the northern Italian comune of Marcon, half-an-hour drive from what we have learnt must be one of the most picturesque cities in the world, Venice.
'Havana' and 'Lightweight' lights at Foscarini headquarters; photo © Architonic
The dramatic effect of Atelier Oï's Allegro collection; photo © Architonic
We have listened (about the company, its early 80s Murano origins and why Foscarini lamps are ’emotional not rational’), seen (the hugely absorbing and seriously fun Research & Developement lab), met (four prominent designers, Jozeph Forakis, Vicente García Jiménez, Luca Nichetto
and Ionna Vautrin, who joined their creative forces with Foscarini) and discussed (the upcoming trends, the importance of the online media and the limitless denotations of the noun ‘Surprise’). In other words, we have been enlightened! – And that’s before the next day’s visit to the 54th edition of La Bienalle, which this year goes by the name Illuminazioni and ‘points to light’ which, as a classical theme in art, closely relates to Venice itself.
Foscarni founder Carlo Urbinati tells the story behind company's most successful design, Patricia Urquiola's 'Caboche'; photo © Architonic
The transparent globes that makeup 'Caboche' have the visual qualities of glass but are made of polymethylmetacrylate; photo © Architonic
'Caboche' in the draught-proof enclosure for endurance test; photo © Architonic
Each of the designs undergoes a number of quality checks before the final version is approved and put into production
Draught-proof enclosure for endurance test; photo © Architonic
Paper prototype; photo © Architonic
The design is being tested in 35∘C 21 hours per day for 30 consecutive days to determine its 'aging' process; photo © Architonic
The normally closed-for-visitors Research & Development lab; photo © Architonic
Various colours and materials were researched for Ionna Vautrin's 'Binic'; photo © Architonic
The lovely French designer Ionna Vautrin telling the story of 'Binic'; photo © Architonic
The beautifully proportioned 'Binic' lamp by Ionna Vautrin; photo © Architonic
'Successful living from Diesel' collection; photo © Architonic
The installation in the bookshop area at this year's Venice Biennale; photo © Architonic
Jozeph Forakis' 'Havana' suspended above a café within the Arsenale; photo © Architonic
Visit Architonic’s Facebook page to view more photographs from our trip to Italy.
