The hexagon, a marvel of natural and engineered design, has long been celebrated for its inherent strength, material efficiency, and captivating form. From the intricate structures of beehives to groundbreaking architectural feats, its legacy is one of enduring excellence. Now, this iconic shape finds a new, ethereal expression in the SuperWire family of modular lamps, a collaboration between the esteemed Italian lighting company FLOS and the visionary research-based design studio Formafantasma, founded by Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin.
The Hexagonal Heart: A Study in Ethereal Illumination
At first glance, SuperWire appears almost alchemical, transforming industrial materials into objects of profound lightness and luminosity. The collection’s genesis lies in a singular geometric idea: a hexagonal module meticulously crafted from six sheets of planar glass. These transparent panels are elegantly joined at the top and base by polished aluminum plates, secured with intentionally exposed steel screws – a testament to the design’s commitment to honesty and clarity.
Within each glass plane, cylindrical diffusers discreetly house a luminous filament, engineered to cast light in a full 360-degree radius. When activated, the glass transcends its structural role, becoming a radiant vessel that captures and softens the emitted light. This interplay evokes the timeless charm of historic lanterns, yet it is undeniably rendered with a fresh, contemporary sensibility.
A Radical Rethink: The Exposed Filament
The true genius of the SuperWire collection, however, lies in its audacious reinterpretation of the LED filament. Traditionally concealed within a bulb, then further obscured by a shade or globe, the filament here is elevated to the forefront, becoming the very physical expression of the design. This custom light source, developed through intensive collaboration with the FLOS Research & Development team, is SuperWire’s signature.
A remarkably thin and flexible LED filament, stretching up to a meter in length, emits a warm, homogeneous glow along its entire span. The result is a rare and compelling example of a bulb-less lamp, where light radiates uniformly across the entire glass surface. This innovative approach dissolves the conventional boundary between the object and its illumination, celebrating the inherent aesthetics of exposure and creating an atmosphere where light itself becomes an architecture of repetition and rhythm.
An Honest Industrial Aesthetic and Commitment to Longevity
Formafantasma’s design philosophy for SuperWire deliberately eschews romanticized traditional craftsmanship or fleeting ‘industrial-chic’ trends. Instead, they embrace a sophisticated new industrial language. Refined mechanical elements are left visible, not as a gimmick, but to emphasize clarity, honesty, and ease of disassembly. This thoughtful approach extends to the inclusion of a removable filament, a quiet yet powerful statement against the disposability prevalent in modern lighting. It underscores a profound commitment to longevity, repair, and sustainable design practices.
Modular Brilliance for Every Space
Much like a comprehensive typographic system, SuperWire is conceived as a “super family” of lamps, offering robust capacity for expansion and adaptation. This versatile language of light includes Floor, Table, and Suspension models available globally, with a Wall variant specifically for the European market. Each configuration comprises one or more modules, allowing for unparalleled flexibility.
From a singular, intimate lantern-like table lamp to dramatic, multi-level suspension clusters designed to command large architectural volumes, the collection seamlessly integrates into both residential and contract environments. Across every iteration, SuperWire maintains a sober elegance and a commanding presence, hinting at its significant potential for future applications. As Formafantasma themselves articulate, “The project was a decidedly important technical challenge, and the filament obtained is, to all intents and purposes, a new light source with great potential which we will certainly use in the future.”
Experience the innovative SuperWire family by Formafantasma for FLOS at flos.com. Photography by Robert Rieger.
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