Stories Lighting design, according to Contardi Lighting Add to bookmarks Contardi Lighting, Alma, design Controvento A double conversation with Massimo Brigandì, General Manager of the company based in Cesano Maderno, in the heart of Brianza, and the designer Gabriele Chiave, who styled the collection Alma Outstanding performance, design and lighting efficiency with reduced consumption. The universe of lighting is steadily evolving with bold experiments and increasingly innovative research. Light is highly expressive and capable of shaping interiors. Contardi Lighting is active along these lines, presenting a lighting collection with Alma that combines design, know-how and contemporaneity. This is the first lighting collection styled for the brand by Controvento, the design studio and multidisciplinary collective founded by Gabriele Chiave in 2022. Contardi Lighting, Alma, design Controvento Contardi Lighting, Alma, design Controvento Contardi Lighting, Alma, design Controvento Contardi Lighting, Alma, design Controvento Gabriele Chiave, designer, Co-founder e Creative Director di Controvento How are has the lighting design sector changed in recent years? And in what ways? Massimo Brigandì: The lighting design sector has achieved significant changes in recent years. Technological innovation, in particular the advent of LEDs and smart lighting systems, has revolutionized the way of conceiving light, which is no longer seen as just a functional element, but an integral part of architecture and interior design. Designers and clients are looking for solutions that are both aesthetically striking and sustainable. In addition, there is a progressive fusion between lighting and furniture, with light bodies becoming veritable sculptural elements capable of defining the identity of a space. This change is stimulating us to constantly innovate, combining the Italian craft tradition with the most advanced technologies, creating lights that enrich interiors both emotionally and functionally. What are the most important challenges and what opportunities are you seizing on? MB: One of the main challenges today is to achieve a balance between creativity, technological innovation and sustainability. Markets are evolving rapidly, with increasingly specific demands in terms of functionality and performance, durability, certifications and customization. This requires a flexible approach to design and a solid, responsive production capacity. At the same time, the growing synergies between the residential and contract sectors offers a great opportunity for us: it allows us to develop versatile collections, capable of adapting to different contexts while maintaining a strong aesthetic identity. Another area where we see huge potential is outdoor lighting, where the focus on design is becoming increasingly central. For this reason, we are investing in innovative materials and technical solutions that meet the new needs of contemporary living. Light and technology is also a central combination in terms of sustainability. How important is this to Contardi Lighting? MB: For us, sustainability and technology go hand in hand. We use high-efficiency LED sources, dimmable systems and components designed to be long-lasting and so reduce waste. True sustainability, for us, comes from conscious design: quality materials, controlled supply chain, products designed to be functional and timeless. Technology helps us create solutions that are more efficient, as well as more respectful of the environment and people’s well-being. Our lamps are part of this balance between innovation and responsibility, the synthesis of a technology that is both functional and decorative, without neglecting emotional qualities and sensory involvement. In your opinion, what is the definition of a good lighting project? MB: A good lighting project is one that manages to strike a balance between functionality, atmosphere and aesthetics. It has to optimize the space, accompany the architecture without overpowering it, and at the same time contribute to people’s visual comfort and well-being. It is not just a matter of “shedding light”, but of endowing an interior with an identity through coherent, conscious and precise choices. When light becomes an integral part of the design story, then the goal is achieved. Would you like to tell us about the creative process leading to the creation of the Alma collection created for Contardi Lighting? Gabriele Chiave: The inspiration for Alma stemmed from the wish to combine two classic handcrafted elements: the pleated fabric lampshade and the blown glass bubble. Their union gave rise to a dialogue between tradition and innovation, creating a lamp that visually floats in space. The goal was to enhance the magic of traditional materials, rediscovered and transformed together, to generate a poetic and surprising light. How does this project combine innovation with tradition? GC: Alma represents the encounter between classic aesthetics and contemporary technology. Tradition is embodied in the pleated lampshade and blown glass, while innovation is expressed by integrating the LEDs directly into the structure of the lampshade, completely hiding the light source. This creates a refined optical illusion, where light seems to magically emanate from within the lamp, with no visible elements. Ours is a use of hidden technology, which makes the experience and projects more surprising. What were the main challenges you faced during the design process? GC: One of the main challenges was integrating LED technology inside the lampshade so that the light source remains completely hidden, preserving the essential aesthetics of the object. In addition, it was crucial to strike a balance between visual lightness and structural solidity, ensuring that the lamp retained its floating shape without compromising functionality. The combination of glass and the system of ferrules that makes for infinite combinations was certainly far from an immediate result. How was Contardi Lighting’s expertise a valuable ally in making the project a reality? GC: Contardi’s expertise was fundamental to the creation of Alma. Their deep technical knowledge and capacity for innovation made it possible to transform a poetic vision into a concrete product. Contardi was able to interpret and enhance Controvento’s creative approach, developing a synergy combining technical precision with imagination, so creating a collection that not only illuminates, but tells a story. It was above all human passion and the desire for design challenges that made Contardi such a wonderful partner. 4 June 2025 Share See AlsoOther Articles Markets Bonus Tende da Sole 2025: how to apply Che cos’è e cosa prevede il bonus, come richiederlo e soprattutto, si può chiedere il bonus anche senza ristrutturazione? Cristina Kiran Piotti Sustainability The Piazze Aperte scheme is really changing the face of Milan Since 2018, the two local governments helmed by Mayor Giuseppe Sala have closed more than fifty of the city’s streets and roads to traffic – but not to people. 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