At Salone del Mobile in Milan, conversations illuminated breakthroughs in lighting design as the biannual Euroluce “City of Lights” returned. Two roundtables, curated by Jacopo Acciaro of Voltaire Lighting Design with the support of the IALD, AIDI, and APIL associations, dived deep into the technical and social implications of good lighting design and the way we live. The panels highlighted six outdoor lamps that are shapeshifting lighting into things like bird feeders, flower pots, and pool floats.
1. Fiore di Loto by Serralunga
Serralunga’s Fiore di Loto floats like a lotus leaf in water. Photo courtesy Salon del Mobile. Milano and Serralunga
Is this a lamp or a floatation device? Serralunga’s Fiore di Loto is based on the lotus flower, which represents peace and rebirth. Marta Sansoni deliberately designed the light to go into a pool, where it lazily drifts across the water to create a soothing, naturalistic ambience. Fiore di Loto is available in a plain white LED light module ip67, or a color-changing RGB LED with remote control that will turn rest into a rave.
2. Cyborg Big by Martinelli Luce
Karim Rashid’s Cyborg table lamp has been enlarged for outdoor lighting. Photo courtesy Salon del Mobile. Milano and Martinellii Luce
We’re big fans of Martinelli Luce’s quirky, alien-like industrial design. Cyborg Big goes further into their recent cyberpunk explorations by blowing up Karim Rashid’s Cyborg table lamp into a gargantuan garden sculpture. The tripod structure with its direct light beams down like a UFO ready to whisk you away from the pool party. Cyborg Big comes in an all white polyethylene, which diffuses light, or in colorful variations made from EcoAllene®, a material derived from recycled polylaminates. At least aliens care about sustainability.
3. OOLITE CUP by 9010
Turn your garden into a bird sanctuary with the OOLITE CUP. Photo courtesy Salon del Mobile. Milano and 9010novantadieci
Maurizio Quargnale teams up with 9010novantadieci to create the OOLITE CUP, a garden light that doubles as a refreshing oasis for birds and other creatures. The light fixture has a basin that collects rainwater or can be filled with seeds to attract wildlife and pollinators to transform your yard into a small animal sanctuary. The small bollard light comes in six pebble-like colors produced by BETALY, which helps them blend seamlessly into the environment.
4. Poldina Reverso by Zafferano
Poldina Reverso combines a lamp with a flower pot. Photo courtesy Salon del Mobile. Milano and Zafferano
The rechargeable Poldina Reverso lamp sprouts from the center of a flower pot, which directs light downwards to brighten up the arrangement on dark nights. We see them as luscious centerpieces for an outdoor reception, or a reading lamp for the porch. The Poldina Reverso’s battery life lasts at least 12 hours and comes with a portable charging base. The versatile light, which has a built-in dimmer and three different light temperature options, also works indoors as a home for your favorite succulent.
5. Class by Vibia
“Class” up an outdoor space Vibia. Photo courtesy Salon del Mobile. Milano and Vibia.
Vibia is another Sixtysix favorite, and we’re excited about their sturdy Class patio light, which stands tall with authority. The diffused light works best in minimalist, refined spaces where it can serve as a focal point. Vibia shows the Class’s versatility in photos: sometimes it stands tall and alone, other times it doubles up its light source. It can also detach from its aluminum staff to become a wall lamp. The bollard light brings in an institutional seriousness wherever it goes.
6. Miko bollard by Arcluce
Outdoor spaces can light walkways with Arcluce’s Miko bollard. Photo courtesy Salon del Mobile. Milano and Arcluce.
Another regal bollard is Arcluce’s Miko, which is designed for public spaces like parks and plazas. The aluminum towers have a translucent casing underneath their round heads, which diffuses light to reduce glare and light pollution in public spaces. Miko comes in four different heights and evenly distributes its glow, charting a striking pathway in the darkest night.
