2D Lantern Urban Fixture

The 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.