Euroluce 2019: 6 Features of Cutting-Edge Lighting
This year’s international light fair showcases human-centric fixtures that do more than just illuminate
Euroluce is a biennial light fair that takes place in Milan concurrently with the Salone del Mobile, or Milan Furniture Fair. This year’s edition hosted more than 400 exhibitors from around the world and showcased a new direction in lighting: multitasking fixtures for all-around comfort.
Judging from this year’s exhibits, shown April 9 to 14, the lights of the (near) future will have features that not only illuminate space but also enhance user experience. Some incorporate soundproof panels to make noisy environments more comfortable; others are integrated into bookcases, tables and walk-in closets; and many stand in dialogue with other technologies, furniture and even the natural world. New applications of human-centric lighting theory give users the ability to customize their lights according to specific circadian rhythms, geographic location or activities.
The ultimate aim is to increase the well-being of the user through a sensitive approach to technology. “People want to use technology more efficiently in order to truly benefit from it in everyday life,” says French designer Charles Kalpakian. “User comfort must be the ultimate goal for technology.” This idea was at the heart of Euroluce 2019.
Judging from this year’s exhibits, shown April 9 to 14, the lights of the (near) future will have features that not only illuminate space but also enhance user experience. Some incorporate soundproof panels to make noisy environments more comfortable; others are integrated into bookcases, tables and walk-in closets; and many stand in dialogue with other technologies, furniture and even the natural world. New applications of human-centric lighting theory give users the ability to customize their lights according to specific circadian rhythms, geographic location or activities.
The ultimate aim is to increase the well-being of the user through a sensitive approach to technology. “People want to use technology more efficiently in order to truly benefit from it in everyday life,” says French designer Charles Kalpakian. “User comfort must be the ultimate goal for technology.” This idea was at the heart of Euroluce 2019.
Hush by Massimo Farinatti for Martinelli Luce. Parts of the fixture are enveloped by sound-absorbing panels with Snowsound technology by Caimi Brevetti
Babele by Matteo Nunziati for Natevo
There was also another interpretation of multifunctional light: light integrated into furniture. Built-in lights make it easier to find a particular book on a shelf or the right shirt in a closet, and reading in bed is also easier with an illuminated bedside table.
There was also another interpretation of multifunctional light: light integrated into furniture. Built-in lights make it easier to find a particular book on a shelf or the right shirt in a closet, and reading in bed is also easier with an illuminated bedside table.
Haeru by Nendo for Flos
Haeru is a table lamp designed by Nendo for Flos. The basic structure is a three-legged table with a built-in battery, and users can change and add tops, legs and lights. “Through the combination of these elements, it is possible to choose between different options and freely assemble your own configuration,” says designer Oki Sato, founder of Nendo. “The word ‘haeru’ means ‘to grow’ in Japanese, since it looks like the lamps are ‘growing’ from the tables.”
Haeru is a table lamp designed by Nendo for Flos. The basic structure is a three-legged table with a built-in battery, and users can change and add tops, legs and lights. “Through the combination of these elements, it is possible to choose between different options and freely assemble your own configuration,” says designer Oki Sato, founder of Nendo. “The word ‘haeru’ means ‘to grow’ in Japanese, since it looks like the lamps are ‘growing’ from the tables.”
Viceversa by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance for Kundalini
The connections between light and other areas of design are constantly transforming, and a new link highlighted this year is between light and the natural world. We see it in Viceversa by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance for Kundalini, which is composed of modules that can be placed side by side and house greenery. In this way, the light fixture is constantly evolving.
Similar thinking lies behind Gople RWB, which was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group for Artemide and won an award at ArchiDesignClub’s Muuuz International Awards last year. It uses Artemide’s patented RWB (red, white, blue) technology to stimulate a plant’s natural growth by adjusting the light’s wavelength to suit the plant’s vegetative or flowering phases.
The connections between light and other areas of design are constantly transforming, and a new link highlighted this year is between light and the natural world. We see it in Viceversa by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance for Kundalini, which is composed of modules that can be placed side by side and house greenery. In this way, the light fixture is constantly evolving.
Similar thinking lies behind Gople RWB, which was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group for Artemide and won an award at ArchiDesignClub’s Muuuz International Awards last year. It uses Artemide’s patented RWB (red, white, blue) technology to stimulate a plant’s natural growth by adjusting the light’s wavelength to suit the plant’s vegetative or flowering phases.
Salt & Pepper light by Tobias Grau
2. Portability
Another major trend spotted at Euroluce 2019 was portable wireless lighting. The lights we saw were rechargeable through a simple USB cable and had long battery life compared with past models — Tobias Grau’s Salt & Pepper light can last up to 100 hours, for example. They can be placed in parts of the home that are far away from outlets or can be moved easily from room to room or even outside.
2. Portability
Another major trend spotted at Euroluce 2019 was portable wireless lighting. The lights we saw were rechargeable through a simple USB cable and had long battery life compared with past models — Tobias Grau’s Salt & Pepper light can last up to 100 hours, for example. They can be placed in parts of the home that are far away from outlets or can be moved easily from room to room or even outside.
Tetatet portable lamp (with magnetic base) by Davide Groppi
Symfonisk by Ikea
3. Smart Technology
Several manufacturers have created apps to control light from afar. These allow you to turn the light on and off and to regulate the intensity and light temperature — from warm, which is calming, to cool, which boosts focus.
Symfonisk, made by Ikea in collaboration with Sonos, has a built-in speaker, so you can use its app to control light and play music.
3. Smart Technology
Several manufacturers have created apps to control light from afar. These allow you to turn the light on and off and to regulate the intensity and light temperature — from warm, which is calming, to cool, which boosts focus.
Symfonisk, made by Ikea in collaboration with Sonos, has a built-in speaker, so you can use its app to control light and play music.
The circadian rhythm section of the app developed by Artemide
4. Focus on Well-Being
The practical application of the theory of human-centric lighting — the idea that the priority of lighting design is the individual’s well-being — is catching on. The overall aim is to optimize for the user’s preferences, environment, energy level and state of mind, and not waste potential through inadequate lighting.
4. Focus on Well-Being
The practical application of the theory of human-centric lighting — the idea that the priority of lighting design is the individual’s well-being — is catching on. The overall aim is to optimize for the user’s preferences, environment, energy level and state of mind, and not waste potential through inadequate lighting.
Lightcycle by Dyson
Lightcycle by Dyson, for example, allows users to personalize lighting based on age, daily habits and local sunlight. The app also features preset lighting for various activities.
Lightcycle by Dyson, for example, allows users to personalize lighting based on age, daily habits and local sunlight. The app also features preset lighting for various activities.
Geo Li-Fi by Artemide
5. Augmented Reality
Light fixtures also are increasingly being used to augment individual experience by tailoring data to space. Artemide’s Geo Li-Fi fixture, for example, uses smart Li-Fi LEDs, which can transmit geolocated media. The light can track a person’s movements within space to monitor their preferences and send targeted information. One possible use might be to send customers in a store targeted information about the items they are browsing at any particular moment. In this way, lighting becomes a tool for broader applications.
5. Augmented Reality
Light fixtures also are increasingly being used to augment individual experience by tailoring data to space. Artemide’s Geo Li-Fi fixture, for example, uses smart Li-Fi LEDs, which can transmit geolocated media. The light can track a person’s movements within space to monitor their preferences and send targeted information. One possible use might be to send customers in a store targeted information about the items they are browsing at any particular moment. In this way, lighting becomes a tool for broader applications.
Sticks by Arik Levy for Vibia
“The calligraphic gesture creates a play of shadow and light. Transposed into lighting pieces, the stroke becomes function,” says Kalpakian, the designer for Nemo.
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“The calligraphic gesture creates a play of shadow and light. Transposed into lighting pieces, the stroke becomes function,” says Kalpakian, the designer for Nemo.
More on Houzz
Salone del Mobile 2019: The Changing Face of Design
Find a lighting specialist
Shop for lighting
1. Multiple Functions
Besides providing illumination, lamps now multitask and contribute to home comfort by integrating a variety of other features.
Several offerings at this year’s fair incorporated sound-absorbing panels for acoustic insulation and comfort. Originally designed primarily for work environments, these fixtures now show up in residential spaces to make get-togethers around the dinner table more comfortable, for example.