Interview about Hypnoss Floor Lamp, winner of the A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award 2022
Who rides a Vespa eats apple (Chi Vespa mangia le mele). This sentence, a reference to the forbidden tree in biblical scriptures, was part of Vespa's advertising campaign in the 70s. So it belongs to all those deconstruct. Hypnoss Dna is from scrap Italian motorcycles and becomes alive again and is given the chance to continue its journey in another form including the whole steering wheel and its odometer with an individual number of kilometers passed. As they lit up the way home, now this motorcycle can light up the home.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in how we interact with our belongings and tools. Over time, it cultivated a culture of consumption where we became increasingly detached from the objects we use daily. This shift wasn’t just about efficiency; it was about creating a market where things could be easily replaced. As a result, we’ve lost the emotional connection to our tools and belongings, making it easier for industries to sell us new products and encourage us to discard the old, regardless of the memories or experiences tied to them.For me, this detachment feels like a missed opportunity. Many of these objects have been with us through significant moments—both good and bad—and have become silent witnesses to our lives. With the Hypnoss Floor Lamp, I wanted to challenge this culture of disposability. By repurposing a Vespa steering wheel, I aimed to restore the sense of belonging and history we once had with the tools and objects we used. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about recognizing the stories these items carry and giving them a meaningful new purpose in our lives.
The odometer in the Hypnoss Floor Lamp serves as a tangible connection between its past life and its new journey. It’s a moment where both the lamp and its owner come together, carrying their histories—scratches, imperfections, and memories—into a shared future. Just as we all have past experiences that shape who we are, these objects, particularly those reborn from discarded materials, bring their stories with them, making them distinct from something entirely new.For an emotional object like Hypnoss, the decision to own it often stems from a deep, personal connection. This connection might come from having owned a similar object in the past, dreaming of having one, or cherishing the memory of a loved one who did. In the case of motorcycles, the numerical memory on the odometer becomes a symbolic reminder of journeys taken, places visited, and moments lived. It’s not just a number—it’s a piece of history that creates an emotional bridge between the object and its new owner.
It had to be original because we’re talking about creating emotional bonds. The feeling had to remain authentic, as it was with the Vespa itself. This was a crucial element of the project—it had to strongly convey its story and essence.To use the original buttons, I visited old repair shops that still had these parts and spoke with experienced repairmen who had worked on Vespas for decades. I chose to share the story of the project with them, inviting them to be part of this rebirth process. It was more than just a technical task; it was about creating a shared moment of delight. Engaging them in this way not only preserved the authenticity of the parts but also honored their lifelong connection to these iconic machines.Interestingly, reengineering the internal connections to make them compatible with a standard electrical grid turned out to be the easiest part of the process. I often call it the “must but side”—a necessary technical step, but not the most challenging or rewarding part of the journey. The real complexity lay in preserving the original tactile and emotional experience of the switch.This approach also reflects the deeper philosophy of the project—to challenge the way we think about the past and show that something discarded can be reborn with meaning. These efforts and collaborations are embedded in every piece of the Hypnoss Floor Lamp. It wasn’t a one-time challenge; each lamp carries the essence of its own unique journey, making it truly special.
When designing objects for home interiors, it’s essential to honor the warmth and presence that domestic spaces embody. Wood, especially high-grade beech wood, is one of the calmest and warmest materials, making it the perfect bridge between the industrial origins of the Hypnoss Floor Lamp and the intimacy of a home environment.The lamp’s industrial elements, like the Vespa steering wheel, were originally designed for the streets, embodying a rugged and utilitarian aesthetic. To integrate these elements into a domestic setting, I needed a material that could provide a sense of balance and connection. Beech wood, with its natural texture and timeless appeal, serves as that link. It softens the lamp’s overall design and ties it to other home furnishings, making it feel like it truly belongs in a living space.This contrast between the industrial and the organic not only enhances the visual appeal of the lamp but also reinforces its narrative of transformation—taking something from the streets and seamlessly integrating it into the warmth of a home.
With Hypnoss, I wanted to emphasize that this is not just a lamp; it’s an object with a story. Stories have always been told through books, which is why we designed an image-based storytelling book to accompany each lamp. This book conveys the emotional journey the lamp carries with it—its past life as part of a Vespa and its new role in someone’s home. It allows owners to connect more deeply with the piece by understanding the narrative behind its creation.As for the identity card, it serves to personalize each Hypnoss Floor Lamp. Since every lamp is made from the unique metal parts of a real Vespa steering wheel, with its own color and a handcrafted wooden tripod, we reflect these details in the identity card. The card features:A Carved Steel Plate: Displaying the lamp’s unique identification number and technical details.Colored Leather: Matched to the lamp’s color, adding a tactile and visual connection.A Wooden Backing: Mirroring the warmth of the tripod and providing a cohesive design element.These materials tie the identity card directly to the lamp itself, making it a meaningful keepsake. Together, the book and identity card enhance the connection between the lamp’s past and its new purpose, turning it into a piece that tells a story every time you interact with it.
The CNC milling process was key to keeping the original spirit of the Vespa steering wheel alive while transforming it into something new. It allowed us to replicate the curves and details of the steering wheel with precision, making sure the lamp still carried the essence of its automotive heritage.At the same time, the clean and accurate finish that CNC milling provides gave the lamp a modern look. This balance between the original design and contemporary manufacturing helped create a piece that feels both nostalgic and fresh—bridging the gap between the Vespa’s legacy and its new role as a floor lamp.
Collaborating with specialists like mechanics and carpenters brought so much depth to the project. The mechanics helped me understand and preserve the original Vespa parts, ensuring their authenticity. Their expertise gave the lamp its soul by keeping the mechanical details true to their origin.The carpenters, on the other hand, brought warmth and craftsmanship to the design. Their work with the beech wood tripod made the lamp feel like it belonged in a home, balancing the industrial elements.This interdisciplinary approach made the final design more thoughtful and complete. Each specialist’s input added a layer of expertise, turning the Hypnoss Floor Lamp into a true blend of craft, function, and emotion.
It validated the idea that upcycling can be more than just reusing old parts—it can create something meaningful and emotionally powerful. The recognition reinforced my belief in storytelling through design, especially when working with discarded objects.This achievement pushed me to think deeper about sustainable design. It’s not just about the materials; it’s about honoring the history of those materials and giving them a new purpose. With Hypnoss, I saw how much people connected to the story of the Vespa and its transformation into a lamp. Now, I focus even more on designs that merge sustainability with emotional connection, making products that people don’t just use but truly value.
My background in architecture taught me to think about space and how objects interact with it, while anthropology gave me a deeper understanding of the emotional and cultural connections people have with things. These two perspectives were at the core of designing the Hypnoss Floor Lamp.From an architectural point of view, I wanted the lamp to not just light a room but also fit harmoniously into a home, balancing its industrial origins with warmth and functionality. Anthropology helped me focus on the story behind the lamp—how the Vespa, as a cultural icon, carries memories and meaning for so many people. This shaped my decision to preserve key details, like the steering wheel and odometer, and to create elements like the identity card and storytelling book, which help new owners connect emotionally to the lamp.Ultimately, the combination of these disciplines made the lamp more than just an upcycled object—it became a meaningful piece that speaks to people’s experiences and stories.
I see the Hypnoss Floor Lamp as a reminder that everyday objects, even those we think are obsolete, still have stories to tell and value to offer. It challenges the idea that something is only worth keeping as long as it serves its original purpose. By transforming a Vespa steering wheel into a lamp, I wanted to show how design can give a second life to objects we might otherwise discard.Looking ahead, I hope Hypnoss inspires designers to think differently about materials and objects. It’s not just about upcycling; it’s about creating emotional connections and finding ways to bring history and function together. I envision more designs that make us rethink what we throw away, turning “waste” into pieces that are meaningful, beautiful, and timeless. This approach not only challenges our relationship with objects but also encourages more sustainable and thoughtful living.
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