Interview about Orbita Luminaire, winner of the A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award 2025
Orbita reimagines light as a dynamic, ever-evolving presence, where celestial cycles meet cutting-edge technology. With its patented ultra-matte material and infinite rotation system, it invites tactile interaction and personalization, adapting seamlessly to different moments and spaces. Minimalist yet expressive, it transforms illumination into an experience, forging a timeless connection between innovation, design, and human perception. Designed in Argentina, crafted with Italian materials and precision engineering.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsWhen we began developing Orbita, our primary goal—together with the design team—was to allow users to personalize the lighting throughout the day, in sync with the sun’s circadian rhythm. This idea became the conceptual foundation for the luminaire, and every design decision followed from it.The notion of the cycle and the circle led us to envision a screen that orbits around a center, enabling directional lighting based on different uses. The morphological relationship between the elliptical screen and the circular core resulted in a visual system subtly evoking the orbital motion of celestial bodies.
Bringing Fenix NTM into the world of lighting design was a significant challenge from the start. One of the material’s key features is its ultra-matte, anti-glare finish—qualities that seem at odds with how luminaires typically work through light reflection.However, we saw this as an opportunity. We harnessed the material’s unique properties to create a soft, indirect glow. Additionally, its surface allows for direct user interaction without leaving fingerprints—something nearly impossible with other materials. This synergy of technical innovation and user experience led to a completely new approach in the lighting field.
Traditionally, interaction with a luminaire is limited to switching it on or off, dimming the light, or using smart apps to adjust tone and color. With Orbita, we wanted to go beyond digital control.Its infinite rotation system invites physical and tactile interaction—users can manually orient the light for direct or indirect effects. Whether illuminating a ceiling softly or focusing on a dining table, the user shapes the atmosphere with a simple gesture.What truly sets Orbita apart is this tactile relationship—melding technology with human touch. It’s not just about managing light from a phone, but forming a more intuitive and personal connection with the fixture.
Manufacturing Orbita in Argentina was one of the project’s greatest challenges. While the local industry is highly versatile, it wasn’t fully equipped for the level of precision and technological complexity this luminaire demanded.We partnered with Catavorello, the official SCM CNC distributor in Argentina, whose deep commitment enabled extensive testing and prototyping to reach the perfect balance between form and function.Beyond CNC machining, the production included laser-cut aluminum, steam bending, and precise manual assembly—all within a minimal internal space, hiding wires, joints, and mechanical elements.Orbita contains small components, springs, and electrical contacts, far beyond what’s typical in lighting design. Yet, we were determined to show that Argentine industry can meet world-class standards.
Sustainable design is central to every project I take on. As designers, we carry a huge responsibility—we have the power to shape how products are conceived and manufactured.In Orbita’s case, we reused offcuts of Fenix NTM, which are typically discarded because they’re too small for kitchen countertops. These became the luminaire’s 25 cm central discs, giving the material a second life in a high-value context.This approach greatly reduced waste and now gains even more relevance as Orbita begins large-scale production in China. It’s our way of demonstrating that responsible design principles can be preserved—even on a global industrial scale.
Argentina has a niche market for high-end lighting, but it’s not large enough to justify a project like Orbita. From the beginning, it was conceived for international presentation—specifically in Milan—and for global production and distribution.This vision informed every design and material choice. We selected Fenix NTM, a high-performance Italian material, to match the elevated design standard we were striving for. In our view, good design must be aesthetically strong and technically backed by materials of equal quality.We also conducted thorough research to avoid repetition and ensure Orbita would feel timeless—something that could’ve been designed 50 years ago and still relevant a century from now. With its international design language, we’re proud to have created a product rooted in universality.
We wanted users to direct the light freely, without constraints. The first challenge was enabling full 360-degree movement—not just partial rotation.Through our research into orbital cycles, we noticed that these motions are continuous, without a defined beginning or end. Inspired by that, we aimed to replicate this in Orbita: allowing users to rotate the fixture infinitely without interruption or loss of light.This sense of fluidity was essential to the design’s essence, but achieving it required one of the project’s most complex technical solutions: a system that could handle infinite rotation while preserving electrical contact and product integrity. That endless motion is a defining feature of Orbita.
Unexpectedly, crafting the light screen became one of the most technically difficult parts of the project. We initially thought it would be simple—but it nearly kept us from showcasing the piece in Milan.Fenix NTM wasn’t designed for tight-radius bending. Every pressure attempt caused cracking or breakage. But we discovered that heat and steam made the material more pliable.We then created a custom mold and counter-mold system. By applying controlled temperature and humidity, we gently formed the screen without compromising the material.This process involved placing the molds in an oven for 24 hours of slow cooling to preserve the desired shape. It was a fusion of technology, patience, and craftsmanship adapted to an industrial material.
Argentine designers are uniquely skilled at achieving remarkable outcomes with limited resources and time. That resilience, combined with a deeply ingrained artistic culture, gives us a distinct edge.Our heritage spans from indigenous crafts to colonial influences and celebrated 20th-century designers. Regardless of whether their styles align with international trends, they all inspire us.Our immense native nature is another profound source. Personally, it’s been central to every project I’ve undertaken.Meanwhile, Italian design culture—its aesthetic refinement, technical rigor, and love for detail—greatly influenced us. Using Fenix NTM in Orbita embodies that influence.This fusion of Argentine sensitivity and Italian excellence proved to be a powerful combination. It shaped our entire process and reflects our view of design today: a global language rooted in local identities.
I believe Orbita is part of a new movement in lighting—a response to our tech-saturated lives. As we become constantly connected to screens and devices, we’re also seeking ways to reconnect with physical objects and reality.Although Orbita is technologically advanced, it demands human interaction. That tactile quality feels increasingly essential in our digital age.This reconnection through touch and movement is a powerful foundation for new lighting designs. It’s also the starting point for the Orbita collection, which we’re now developing in collaboration with a Spanish company licensed to manufacture and distribute it worldwide.
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