The Arco floor lamp has been inspired by a common object: a street lamp.
(pics via achillecastiglioni.it)
The Creative Process Behind The Arco Floor Lamp.
The idea to design the Arco floor lamp, arrived observing how often the electrical output for hanging lamps was in the middle of the ceiling while not all the tables were positioned in the middle of a room. Trying to solve this simple problem Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed the Arco lamp.
The Arco floor lamp is made of an arched steel arm fixed to a white Carrara marble rectangular base.
The original telescopic arm of the Arco floor lamp allows it to lighten at a distance of over 2 meters from the base: in this way people can easily move and position a table with chairs underneath.
A Castiglioni design peculiarity was to adopt simple and adjustable mechanisms for his products: the Arco lamp is not different.
The telescopic arm of the Arco floor lamp is made of satin-finished stainless steel and a varnished aluminium shade. Because of the marble base, the Arco lamp weighs 45kg, but can be easily lifted thanks to a hole in its base that allows two people to insert a broom handle and move it.
The design of the Arco floor lamp makes it pleasant and original at the same time. This is a typical element of the Castiglionis’ designs: inspired by common objects updated with genius and irony.
The Arco floor lamp expresses the Achille Castiglioni design philosophy based on the analytical approach to materials, technologies, shapes and final use of an object; the Arco lamp summarize those characteristics in one and that’s why it has been so successful over five decades.
The Arco lamp was designed by the Castiglioni brothers in 1962 for the Flos lighting company, with whom they built a successful cooperation and that still manufactures the Arco as many other Castiglionis’ lamps.
During their collaboration, Castiglioni and Flos re-invented the purpose of interior lighting across the Italian Mid Century golden age.
After more than 50 years, the Arco floor lamp is still a best seller and one of the most desired mid century modern lamps ever.
If you want to read more about this master of the mid century modern Italian design and see the drawings he made for his most famous products, check Achille Castiglioni a really interesting and small book…one of my really first about mid century design 🙂 Check it now clicking on the picture!
