Decorating
Iconic Designs: The Castiglioni Brothers’ Arco Lamp
This elegant, arching floor lamp actually takes its inspiration from a streetlight
This series takes a look at some of the most famous and cherished designs of the past century. From classic chairs to statement lighting, discover the backstory to some of the design world’s most recognisable pieces and browse ways to use them in modern settings.
Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were renowned Italian designers from Milan. Their philosophy was that design should change an object’s form and function. Achille Castiglioni, the more renowned of the brothers, once described their ethos thus: ‘Start from scratch. Stick to common sense. Know your goals and means.’
The brothers became prolific in the 1950s and have designed more than 150 products, from chairs to vacuum cleaners to lamps. The Arco floor lamp was designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962 and has arguably come to be their most recognisable piece. It is made in Italy by Flos.
Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were renowned Italian designers from Milan. Their philosophy was that design should change an object’s form and function. Achille Castiglioni, the more renowned of the brothers, once described their ethos thus: ‘Start from scratch. Stick to common sense. Know your goals and means.’
The brothers became prolific in the 1950s and have designed more than 150 products, from chairs to vacuum cleaners to lamps. The Arco floor lamp was designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962 and has arguably come to be their most recognisable piece. It is made in Italy by Flos.
Influences
Achille Castiglioni was a professor of industrial design and this opened up to him the potential value of the industrial in the domestic realm. The Arco lamp is a clear example, as it takes its influence from the design of the humble streetlight, which was adapted by the brothers for domestic use.
Achille Castiglioni was a professor of industrial design and this opened up to him the potential value of the industrial in the domestic realm. The Arco lamp is a clear example, as it takes its influence from the design of the humble streetlight, which was adapted by the brothers for domestic use.
Aesthetic
The stainless steel arch, which rises out of a solid Carrara marble base, enables objects up to 8ft away from the base to be lit, while its height means people can easily pass underneath the arch undisturbed. It works much like a ceiling light, but requires no wiring.
The base is extremely heavy – 65kg – to anchor the light, but can be moved by two people when necessary. A hole runs through the top of the base to allow a broom handle to be slotted through to help with carrying the lamp – a highly practical detail.
Check out more floor lamps
The stainless steel arch, which rises out of a solid Carrara marble base, enables objects up to 8ft away from the base to be lit, while its height means people can easily pass underneath the arch undisturbed. It works much like a ceiling light, but requires no wiring.
The base is extremely heavy – 65kg – to anchor the light, but can be moved by two people when necessary. A hole runs through the top of the base to allow a broom handle to be slotted through to help with carrying the lamp – a highly practical detail.
Check out more floor lamps
Form and function
As a professor, Achille would arrive at each class with a bag. His bags were full of everyday and seemingly mundane objects that he had found and collected. From colanders to milking stools, he brought the objects to demonstrate to his students the strong relationship between form and function in design.
As a professor, Achille would arrive at each class with a bag. His bags were full of everyday and seemingly mundane objects that he had found and collected. From colanders to milking stools, he brought the objects to demonstrate to his students the strong relationship between form and function in design.
Sleek and contemporary
In this room, the lamp lights up the seating area, acting just like an overhead light in the centre of the room. Its curve contrasts beautifully with the linear furniture, and the stainless steel finish makes it right at home in the contemporary setting.
In this room, the lamp lights up the seating area, acting just like an overhead light in the centre of the room. Its curve contrasts beautifully with the linear furniture, and the stainless steel finish makes it right at home in the contemporary setting.
Perfect for reading
The Arco can act as the perfect reading light if you want to keep a floor area uncluttered. Here, it lights up another design piece, the LC4 chaise longue in cowhide by Le Corbusier. What a place to curl up with a good book!
The Arco can act as the perfect reading light if you want to keep a floor area uncluttered. Here, it lights up another design piece, the LC4 chaise longue in cowhide by Le Corbusier. What a place to curl up with a good book!
A partner for patterns
The contemporary feel and lightweight design of the Arco lamp can be a welcome balance to fussier fabrics and furniture. It gives a cool edge to the floral feel of this room.
Discover the history of Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair
The contemporary feel and lightweight design of the Arco lamp can be a welcome balance to fussier fabrics and furniture. It gives a cool edge to the floral feel of this room.
Discover the history of Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair
An enduring classic
The Arco’s sleek steel arc, round lamp and chunky rectangular marble base perfectly meld the traditional and the modern, resulting in an object that is technologically innovative while remaining true to traditional craftsmanship. Far more than just a utilitarian product, it’s a design emblem and a real character in any room.
TELL US…
What do you think of the Arco lamp? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The Arco’s sleek steel arc, round lamp and chunky rectangular marble base perfectly meld the traditional and the modern, resulting in an object that is technologically innovative while remaining true to traditional craftsmanship. Far more than just a utilitarian product, it’s a design emblem and a real character in any room.
TELL US…
What do you think of the Arco lamp? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The Arco lamp’s design arose in response to the dilemma of how to have a pendant light without having to have a hole drilled into the ceiling. Its high, beautifully arching form means light can be pooled on any area from a dining table to an armchair.