Interview about 2D Lantern Urban Fixture, winner of the A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award 2023
The 2D urban lantern has only two dimensions, it has no depth, it only develops on a flat surface, as if it were a drawing written in the sky. Its shape is visible and invisible depending on how the designers places it in the space. An element that manifests its presence only when it lights up, integrating discreetly into the urban context. Urban lanterns contribute to giving cities an identity, they are signs that remain imprinted in the culture of collective memory, becoming part of the narration of urban life.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe idea for the 2D Lantern Urban Fixture emerged from a very real technical challenge I faced years ago. I was tasked with illuminating an 18th-century architectural complex, a place defined by generous inner courtyards and a demanding lighting rhythm. To achieve the required light levels, countless lanterns would have been needed—yet the thought of scattering traditional fixtures across those historic façades felt almost sacrilegious. Their presence would have weighed too heavily on an architecture that survives on lightness, proportion, and quiet dignity.I remember the exact moment of revelation. As I leafed through catalogues in search of the “right” lantern, it became clear that every existing solution was too massive, too insistent—objects that imposed themselves rather than serving their context. And then a question arose, almost provocatively: Why must we accept the full bulk of a lantern? What do I truly need in order to create light?The answer was disarmingly simple: I needed the optical core, nothing more. The traditional lantern form—iconic, yes, but burdened with centuries of inherited volume—had drifted into pure ornament. So I began to strip it away, piece by piece, removing everything that did not belong to the essence of illumination.From this act of subtraction, the 2D urban lantern was born: a fixture distilled to its purest silhouette, capable of delivering the necessary lighting performance while retaining an almost ethereal presence. Depending on where one stands, it can vanish into the architecture or reveal itself as a delicate graphic stroke—quietly weaving a more respectful, intimate dialogue with the historical façades.
The most challenging aspect of the project was, without a doubt, the technical one. Crafting a fixture so compact, yet capable of true performance, would have been unthinkable without the advent of LEDs. The miniaturization of light sources now available, combined with the latest generations of high-performance optical lenses, made possible what, only a few years ago, would have seemed unattainable.Being supported by a highly skilled company, one committed to technological innovation and research, was fundamental—this is where the “magic” began to take form. My goal was never to create a lantern that was merely decorative or symbolic; I sought a fixture that could truly perform, illuminating urban spaces with precision and quality, respecting their geometry and scale.Today, the 2D Lantern Urban Fixture is offered with four distinct optic configurations: one symmetric, two asymmetric, and one rotosymmetric. This variety allows it to meet the diverse needs of contemporary public spaces with elegance and efficiency. Credit must also go to the manufacturer, who skillfully bridged my aesthetic vision with the most advanced lighting technologies available today, transforming an idea into reality.
Integrating the 2D Lantern Urban Fixture in historic contexts, such as Gozzano, demanded a meticulous dialogue with heritage. Beyond reducing the lantern to its essential form, I collaborated closely with local preservation authorities, architects, and the community to understand the historical rhythms of the space. We conducted light studies at different times of day and tested prototypes on-site to ensure the lantern’s presence was subtle yet effective. By carefully calibrating angles, intensity, and shadow play, the fixture enhances the historical façades without overpowering them. The result is a design that respects tradition while introducing a contemporary dimension, demonstrating that modern innovation and historical preservation can coexist in a delicate, almost poetic balance.
The principle of “subtracting vision to make visible” guides every stage of my work. It compels me to question what is truly necessary for a space to emerge visually and experientially. In practice, this means designing fixtures that often disappear into their context, only revealing themselves through their light. For example, in a recent urban plaza, the 2D Lantern’s thin silhouette disappears against façades during the day, but at night it subtly highlights architectural lines, pathways, and gathering spaces. This approach also influences material choice, optical precision, and mounting strategies, prioritizing perception over presence. Ultimately, it allows light to be experienced rather than observed, creating urban spaces that are comfortable, legible, and emotionally resonant.
The development of the 2D Lantern Urban Fixture between 2013 and 2020 did not involve major structural changes, but it was crucial for defining its philosophy and future potential. Today, my vision goes further: I imagine a lantern completely independent of the electrical grid, powered solely by solar energy.I envision a historic village illuminated without cables on the façades, with the 2D Lantern activated by energy stored during the day. This would create more sustainable and cost-efficient cities, using a free and clean energy source.This is a challenge I want to realize, but it requires the support of the manufacturer to turn the idea into reality. Light as an experience, technological innovation, and sustainability could finally converge in a concrete project, revitalizing historic spaces without compromising their identity.
The material selection for the 2D Lantern Urban Fixture reflects a combination of durability, optical performance, and sustainability. Cold-galvanized steel provides structural strength while resisting corrosion, crucial for long-term outdoor installations. Aluminum optical components ensure precision in light shaping while remaining lightweight, and silicone lenses allow for refined beam control with minimal optical loss. To arrive at this combination, we tested multiple alternatives under accelerated weathering and mechanical stress, balancing performance with environmental impact. We also considered recyclability and maintenance requirements, ensuring the fixture remains functional and elegant for decades. This process demonstrates that materiality can serve both technical excellence and responsible urban design.
In my vision, cities should not be memorable simply to impress, but to enhance the lives of those who inhabit them. They are not showpieces, but spaces for experience, where people socialize, work, and live in harmony with the environment. Cities must be inclusive, not exclusive.The 2D Lantern, like any urban fixture, does not by itself transform a space into a better place: what truly makes cities livable are conscious and responsible projects developed by teams combining technical, aesthetic, and social expertise to create pleasant, functional, and sustainable environments. Light thus becomes a tool serving experience, not an end in itself.
Visual comfort and glare control were fundamental in the 2D Lantern design. The intense LED source required advanced optics and micro-lens arrangements to shape light precisely, minimizing spill and harsh reflections. We performed iterative simulations and on-site tests, analyzing luminance levels, uniformity, and human perception from multiple viewpoints. In addition, we explored asymmetric and rotosymmetric optics to adapt to complex urban geometries, ensuring that light enhances the environment rather than overwhelming it. This attention to detail allows pedestrians and residents to experience a safe, comfortable space at night, where illumination guides movement and highlights architectural beauty without causing discomfort or visual fatigue.
The Silver A’ Design Award confirmed the innovation of the 2D Lantern and validated my design approach. Receiving international recognition strengthens the belief that aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability can coexist in urban lighting, opening new opportunities for conscious and responsible projects in public spaces.
Today, our cities are often overloaded with superfluous elements and uncoordinated additions: signs, furniture, installations, and miscellaneous objects that make the urban landscape visually chaotic. From the perspective of aesthetic composition, this accumulation tends to “blur” the perception of cities or villages, masking their intrinsic quality and legibility.I believe that tools like the 2D Lantern Urban Fixture remind us of the importance of a subtler approach, where the balance between visible and invisible becomes central. In this sense, lighting is not just about adding light, but about choosing what to highlight and, above all, what to subtract. My message to those managing our public spaces is clear: “less is better than more”. Only by reducing superfluous elements can we finally make cities and villages visible, restoring order and legibility to our urban landscapes.
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