VyTA Covent Garden, UK
VyTA Covent Garden combines the warmth of Italian hospitality and contemporary taste. darc speaks to Architect Daniela Colli and lighting designer Chris Fox on how their designs work together to capture the spirit of Italy in the 1960s.
The blueprint for VyTA restaurant aspires to promote a new style of fine food, one that fuses Italian gourmet cuisine and contemporary design, whilst also drawing on the Italian design culture of the 60s. Part of a broader redevelopment and regeneration program in Covent Garden that intends to shift the area from a tourist destination into a lively and upbeat corner of the city, harking back to its hedonistic reputation in the 60s, the project also has the parallel ambition of acting as a brand ambassador of the “Made in Italy” program, with the aim of promoting Italian design around the world.
Achieving these lofty ambitions was by no means a quick, nor easy task, and required three years of diligent work and design. “I personally followed every step of the whole process,” Daniela Colli, founder of the architectural firm ColliDanielaArchitteto, tells darc. “From the location selection, to the relationship with the landlord, to the request for building permits and the final realisation.”
This gives some impressions of the humble origins of the project, and the obstacles to overcome. The fact it was located within the East Tower of the Covent Tower, a renowned Grade II listed building, meant there were also a number of legislative and bureaucratic measures to take into consideration. Colli describes some of the greatest achievements as the conversion of the lower floor, which had been used as a storage room for the shops at the upper level, into “an intimate and welcoming environment - converting the fragmented ambience into a fluid space thanks to the dynamic design of the floor, composed of over 7000 marble rhombi and half diamonds.”
The rhombus remains central to establishing the 60s Italian tone within the building, with geometric stylisations inspired by the artwork of futurist painter Giacama Balla.
The lighting of the restaurant was designed to be adaptable to occasion and need, and is managed by an automated system. Colli explains the painstaking manner in which she selected the system: “Light is a fundamental part of my creative process: I select the light sources, the lenses and the colour temperature and personally follow the technicians dealing with the domotics in the final setting.”
Typically, Colli uses small recessed LED spotlights, in this case the Laser collection by iGuzzini, which allows her to create difference luminous setting depending on daylight or the atmosphere desired by customers. This also helps to balance the direct light from the two terraces and large windows on the upper floors. Decorative lighting, meanwhile, is used to create an evening atmosphere, where after-dinner moods should be soft and with a lower colour temperature compared to daylight.
Furthermore, the decorative lighting chosen for the VyTA London project are all bespoke-made and/or adapted by Colli herself. Each were chosen to reflect their environment, with a common thread between their different forms; different designs emitting the same light. A prime example of this is the adapted Leaf design by UK-based lighting studio Luum, which was the basis for a lighting feature above a stairwell. A suspended ceiling fixture, comprised of ornamental aluminium discs in a satin anodised finish that complements the gold used in the surrounding interior, Chris Fox, Design Director at Luum, describes the flexibility of the initial design: “Leaf is like a Meccano set, it uses pre-designed components to create different sizes so that we can offer our clients unique pieces with a fast turnaround.”
To meet the requirements of this particular installation, the design was reconfigured into three separate pieces to better fit within the space above the stairs. Fox continues: “The design uses small LEDs placed at varying heights around the leaf shapes. These cast shadows on the surrounding walls, which are reminiscent of the dappled light of a forest floor.”
The bespoke fixture is adjusted to meet the general requirements of hospitality projects, as well as Colli's own proviso for domotics, being warm, white and dimmable and set at 2700K. Reflecting on Colli's involvement, Fox added: “Daniela created a unique piece with an existing product, breaking Leaf into individual elements to allow for more flexibility…it's something we will use again in the future.”
For the first floor, Colli customised a number of lamps by MMlamapadari, with galvanised polished brass and glass globes of various sizes with a gold metallic finish. These were also installed as wall lamps opposite the Leaf bespoke light feature, mirroring the established gold motif. These metallic globes were born from the desire for thematic cohesion, providing a surface which is mirrored when the light is off and transparent when the warm light is on. Colli summarises her aim and outlook: “VyTA Covent Garden is a magical universe of colours and shapes, perfectly mixed to surprise and entertain anyone who wants to be seduced by the emotions and pleasures of life.”
In order to achieve this romanticisation of London in the swinging Sixties, and the stylisation of geometric Italian design, Colli concludes with an apt summary of her hands-on approach: “Only in this way can I have perfect light for every hour of the day; nothing can be left to chance.”
Haveli Restaurant, Germany
The Haveli Restaurant, opened last spring in Kiel, Germany, offers an interesting experience of Indian food and wine culture, proposing an ambitious menu à la carte that reinterprets traditional food with modern cooking and service methods.
The restaurant is housed inside the Portwich Villa, a residence built in the late nineteenth century and recently renovated, at 100 Holtenhauer Strasse, a renowned address, located in one of the most famous shopping streets in the city.
The atmosphere of the Haveli Restaurant is inspired by the intense colour of curry spice: the flavour of the main ingredient of Indian cuisine 'explodes' in the dish recipes, while its colour is the recurring theme of all details in the interior’s decoration and furnishings, featuring a skilful minimalist style.
The lamps made by Catellani & Smith immediately appeared as the ideal choice for the restaurant’s lighting scheme, perfectly meeting the concept of the project. The gold-coloured leaf finish, which warms the ambience and adds a touch of preciousness to the rooms, has been chosen for all the lamps selected for the location - Gold Moon and Lederam W - to enhance the vivid ochre colour of the chairs.
The Gold Moon composition fills the rooms of the restaurant with light, thanks to its golden discs with irregular surface, which hold precious copper curls and tiny LEDs.
On the walls, a series of Lederam W lamps diffuse golden lighting effects around their discs: they are made of two aluminium overlapping discs: one is fixed to the wall and the other can swivel, to modulate the lighting produced by a LED module hidden between the two discs.
https://www.catellanismith.com
Sino - Prandina
Sino is a collection of lamps whose design is visually defined by an iconographic deconstruction inspired by a traditional lampshade.
It is characterised by a blown glass lampshade that holds an LED light source inside, which is set in the centre of the tubular line and draws its harmonious, essentially pure and elegant structure. The LED source is available with 2700K or 3000K colour temperature and is dimmable.
The blown glass diffuser, handcrafted according to the ancient technique of mouth blowing, has been imagined and designed to perceptively accentuate the visual lightness of the entire design, emphasised by the diffusion of the light that is emotionally diffused in a calm and uniform way throughout the environment.
The structure is available in three finishes: matte white, for a minimalist look; black chrome, and gold, for a refined effect, obtained through precious galvanic immersions.
The collection is characterised by lines and shapes that give a minimal, light, harmonious and delicately organic soul.
The design of Sino has been developed to easily fit in different furnishing contexts - ranging from contract to residential, from the representative office, to the waiting room.
Vibia collaborates with Note Design Studio
(Spain) – Vibia launches new colour collaboration project Chromatica.
Vibia has developed Chromatica, in partnership with Note
Design Studio, as an innovative tool for architectural and interior design
professionals.
Based on a study of the different elements that make up
architectural environments, Chromatica is an introductory programme of 23
colours meticulously selected in order to combine with contemporary spaces and
interiors, where light, colour and material play a crucial role.
The various tones, suggested by Vibia, range from subdued to
vibrant with different options for surface finishes, ranging from matt to
gloss, for combining with materials and different tones such as stone,
concrete, metal and tile.
The chosen colour scale came about through the working
experience of Vibia and Note Design Studio regarding construction materials
currently used by architects and how those materials are combined to create
iconic and captivating spaces. The tonal groupings within the chromatic palette
(Light, Dark, Neutral, Vibrant and Subtle) make reference to the materials as
their capacity to be combined to generate an interior project.
The chromatic scale can be organised in numerous ways,
combining vibrant brights with stable foundation shades, or keeping a design
monochromatic. The system helps architects and interior designers to translate
their ideas into sensations through creating integrated and timeless spaces.
For ease of application, each colour is translated into its
NCS system - Natural Colour System.
The collaboration between Vibia and the designers of Note Design Studio came about through understanding inspiration as a crucial element in the creative process for design professionals and allowing architects to go one step further.
Chromatica becomes a practical tool that combines inspiration with real materials and provides a valuable resource that the interior designer or architect can utilise daily in their work.
San - Bonaldo
Designed by Silvia Braconi, the San suspension lamp draws inspiration from Asia. Its shape mirrors the typical hats worn in some Asian countries, while its name derives from the Chinese 'san' word for umbrella. The lampshade is made of matte soft-touch metal in either white or grey, while the ceiling rose and the curved support are in pearlescent beige metal.
The intertwined cabling brings a sense of dynamism to the overall appearance of the lamp, allowing the user to adjust the height of the lampshades. San is available with either three or four lamp shades.
Crossroad - Bonaldo
Designed by Oriano Favaretto, the intersection of metal elements creates a game of light and shapes that gives a scenic character to the space. Available as a floor or suspension lamp, Crossroad is made up of matte lead painted metal cylinders, which feature an amber-coloured glass element at the end containing the light source.
Bardot - Bonaldo
Designed by Laura Cazzaniga and Ilaria Limonta, the name of this collection of lamps is inspired by the famous French diva, a symbol of femininity and an inspiring muse, with her unmistakable style that still sets new trends today.
Similarly, the Bardo lamps breathes new life into any setting. Colour and simplicity are the key features of Bardot: in fact, the metal structure is linear and it is available in different colours, while the base and the sphere have a matte brass finish to emphasise the light. Bardot is available as a table or floor lamp in two different heights.
Acquerelli - Bonaldo
Designed by Marco Zito, subtle colours and fluid shapes characterise the Acquerelli lamp collection. Made from blown glass, these lamps bring colour to the space just like watercolours brush strokes on a blank piece of paper.
The Acquerelli lamps feature a lampshade in blown glass and a structure in matte lead painted metal. They are available in suspension or table versions and come in two sizes, each one with a different shape for the lampshade. In the double-glass suspension version, the two lampshades come together to form a single lamp.
Bonaldo broadens product offering
(Italy) - Italian brand presents first ever lighting range.
A mix of design and the Venetian art of glassmaking, the Bonaldo lighting collection is the new range of light fixtures by the Italian brand, which specialises in the production of design furniture and accessories.
The product of tireless research and development activities in both style and materials, this new collection pays tribute to the most prestigious artisanal techniques reinterpreted with a modern take through collaborations with artists, specialised in lighting design.
All the products are made in the Veneto region and are made from blow and borosilicate glass, with manufacturing techniques that take their cue from the old traditions: being malleable and fluid, the matter is shaped by hand with stunning expertise and technique to create beautiful lamps of high scenic impact.
From suspension lamps to floor and table lamps, every piece in the new collection encapsulates the spirit of an area steeped in charm and synonymous with the culture of glassmaking. The creations evoke the charm of the best local art form and - whether used alone or as part of coordinated sets - enhance any residential or contract setting.
The collection was designed by a team of creatives including Marco Zito, Laura Cazzaniga and Ilaria Limonta, Oriana Favaretto, Silvia Braconi and Studio Team Design, who specialise in product design and lighting technology.
"The new lighting collection is an important step for Bonaldo in a period of real vitality and dynamism," explains Alberto Bonaldo, the company's Managing Director. "Our objective is to create setting which respond to the demands of an increasingly international and aesthetically discerning market. By teaming up with international designers and local artisans, we've been able to take a tradition which is the envy of the world and make it feel contemporary by incorporating different inspirations and influences."
The collection includes:
Acquerelli designed by Marco Zito
Bardot designed by Laura Cazzaniga and Ilaria Limonta
Crossroad designed by Oriana Favaretto
San designed by Silvia Braconi
Sofi designed by Studio Team Design
M&O Designer of the Year announced
(France) - Michael Anastassiades returns to show as 2020 Designer of the Year.
Having launched his lighting brand in 2007, the first fair he presented his new designs was in fact Masion & Objet.
In his work, the Cypriot designer uses dimple shapes and volumes to create a rich language where uncertainty and imbalance are embraced. The illusionary simplicity of his designs is a labour of love and not something easily achieved.
In Anastassiades' view, designers are there to create relationships and interactions between people and objects. He believes that to design a light, one first has to embrace darkness: he sees no need to turn night into day. Lights for him are a source of warmth, and what fascinates him most is the glow.
When designing a light fixture, he takes into consideration that it will be turned off for 80% of the time. As such, he takes the time to figure out the relevance of the object when switched off. In his vision, a lamp is never an isolated object because it has to interact with its environment.
Having first introduced his brand at Maison & Object over ten years ago, this January the designer wants to offer an experience. For the very first time, all sixteen of his Mobile Chandeliers will be showcased together: in the dark space, the lights, propelled by motors, will move as if planets.
Once again, Anastassiades will work simultaneously with the qualities and conditions of darkness and light.
www.maison-objet.com | michaelanastassiades
