Lighten Up

For architects and interior designers aiming to create spaces with a unique and distinctive character, off-the-shelf products just don’t make the grade. That’s why Italian brand Fabbian has developed a range of customisable lighting solutions that can be configured by the client using sophisticated computer software. It’s the future of bespoke lighting and the opportunities are genuinely limitless.

'We are responding to demand from the contract world for project-specific lighting products,' says Elena Fabbian, marketing manager of the company which is renowned for its contemporary designs and innovative glass-manufacturing techniques. Since it was founded in 1961, the firm has consistently reacted to shifting market conditions and, most recently under the creative guidance of Elena’s brother Ettore, has developed an outstanding catalogue of products in collaboration with leading international designers such as Matali Crasset, Marc Sadler and Benjamin Hubert.

Now, Fabbian has identified a need to evolve once more in response to demand for versatile, location-specific lighting systems. 'Whereas in the past our retail focus was much stronger, now there is an emphasis on projects and being able to satisfy architects,' Fabbian points out, 'so we have developed modular products that are highly customisable.' Fabbian's first venture into modular lighting solutions was the Tile system, which launched in 2009 and comprises transparent or coloured glass tiles that can be linked in endless potential configurations to create walls and room dividers. During the development of Tile, the firm’s creative team realised that even more extensive customisation could be achieved by introducing different patterns and tile dimensions, which resulted in the mosaic-like Laminis system. 'When we created Tile we didn’t really realise how great the possibilities were,' recalls Fabbian, 'so with Laminis we made it clear that there is no limit to what you can create. You basically have a blank canvas.'

Following the success of Tile and Laminis, the firm decided to develop a new collection of systems that extends the functional potential and creative opportunities of its customisable lighting offerings. The Multispot range enables some of Fabbian's most popular pendant lamps to be grouped in clusters, resulting in unique designs that adapt to their context. Different dimensions of ceiling fixtures and hanging heights provide opportunities to create sculptural statement designs, while the company also offers a complete customisation service if very specific options are required.

Currently, the Multispot range consists of the spherical glass Beluga pendant, the cylindrical Tooby lamps and the conical, vessel-like Polair. Each has a distinct character and light distribution properties that are enhanced by grouping them together. 'We chose these products based on demand from customers who wanted to use them to create different shapes like waves or spheres,' Fabbian explains.

The simplicity of Beluga facilitates a wide-range of possible configurations, while Tooby can be arranged in a long line or a dense cluster. Polair’s unique character comes from the way light from the LED bulbs illuminates its flat frosted-glass base, and combining the pendants in groups results in an array of glowing surfaces that don’t produce any shadows. Having explored opportunities for customisation within its existing catalogue, Fabbian is now working with designers on products that are optimised for use in modular systems. It is also set to announce the availability of outdoor versions of the Multispot range, providing architects with increased options for external illumination.

Crucial to the success of Fabbian’s modular products is a software solution first devised for Tile and Laminis that makes configuring their own lights straightforward and intuitive for the end user. A similar system is currently being developed for the Multispot products so clients will be able to create and view their designs before submitting them to the manufacturer for costing and production. 'At the moment, customers can select the type of pendant as well as the light source and canopy but we want to take this to the next level,' claims Fabbian. 'By implementing the new software the user will be able to create whatever they want.'

As it expands its offering from a catalogue of prescribed products towards fully customisable solutions, Fabbian hopes to be able to help architects plan their lighting solutions from the earliest stages of the design process. 'Our aim is to make sure that lighting systems are a part of the architectural project and not just decorative additions,' Elena Fabbian adds. 'Lighting should illuminate the space but also be an important part of the whole environment.'

With the endless options provided by Fabbian’s modular products, plenty of future projects will benefit from solutions that are aesthetically and functionally tailored to the specific of a space.