Xi Lamps
In Chinese Xi means “morning light” but also “in praise of wisdom”. And
when the XI lamps designed
by Neri & Hu for Poltrona Frau are switched
on their soft, full light is evocative of sunlight at dawn. The project seeks
to convey a culture of light founded on the understanding that the start of
every new day is like the beginning of life, infused with positivity and a
sense of rebirth.
The Xi lamps, in blown glass and saddle-leather, allow themselves to be
cradled by the space like lanterns. The light fitting combines two blown glass
elements. The outer layer of glass, with its particular regular ridged surface,
is transparent and comes in amber, emerald, sapphire or moonstone. The inner
piece of glass, white with a pearl finish, makes the light warm and diffused.
Unique pieces blown by master glassmakers of Venice with the use of body-tinted
glass. Differences in colour and little air bubbles are due to the artistic
processing of the glass and must therefore be regarded as fine details that
make every product unique and unrepeatable.
The light
fitting is hung from a Cuoio Saddle Extra leather strap, available in the two
finishes Camel and Taupe, with dyed tone-on-tone raw-edge seam and branded
Poltrona Frau logo. In the new floor and pendant versions the strap used to
hang the lamp is held in place by a metal loop with brushed brass finish.
The Xi
collection comprises various types of lamps: pendant lamps, lamps fitted to
horizontal bars and not, floor arm lamps and table lamps.
In the
pendant version, available in various combinations of single or multiple lamps,
the Xi lights are fitted to a horizontal bar of adjustable height available in
two lengths, 130 cm and 180 cm, and with matt gunmetal grey finish. The
electrical cables have a black finish. The rail structure of the bar makes it
possible to move the lights horizontally and fix them in the desired position.
In the table
lamp version the light fitting consists of a large lantern positioned on a
metal base with natural brass finish. The Cuoio Saddle Extra leather strap
supports the lamp and can be used as a handle when moving it. The light can be
adjusted using the on/off dimmer touch system.
The floor
arm lamp consists of a single extra large pendant lamp. The supporting bar is
in brushed burnished steel. The Cuoio Saddle Extra leather strap to which the
light fitting is hooked continues down to the base, covering the bottom part of
the steel mount. The bottom consists of a circular base in semi-polished Nero
Marquina marble topped with a metal counterpoise. The marble base has a sheet
metal trim. All metal details of the base have a brushed burnished finish.
The Extra Large Pendant version consists of a single extra large lantern hung using a Cuoio Saddle Extra leather strap. The rose used to attach it to the ceiling is made from aluminium with brushed brass finish.
About Designer | |
---|---|
Neri & Hu |
Mr. Neri
received his Master of Architecture at Harvard University and his Bachelor of
Architecture at UC Berkeley. Ms. Hu received her Master of Architecture and
Urban Planning at Princeton University and her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
at UC Berkeley. Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu are the Founding Partners of
Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, an inter-disciplinary international
architectural design practice based in Shanghai, China, with an additional
office in London, UK. Neri&Hu works internationally providing architecture,
interior, master planning, graphic, and product design services. Currently
working on projects in many countries, Neri&Hu is composed of
multi-cultural staff who speak over 30 different languages. The diversity of
the team reinforces a core vision for the practice: to respond to a global
worldview incorporating overlapping design disciplines for a new paradigm in
architecture. Neri&Hu are named Maison & Objet Asia Designers of The
Year 2015 and Wallpaper* Designer of The Year 2014. In 2013, they were inducted
into the U.S. Interior Design Hall of Fame. Their practice was the 2011 INSIDE
Festival Overall Winner, won AR Awards for Emerging Architecture in 2010 by
Architectural Review and one of the Design Vanguards in 2009 by Architectural
Record. Other than architectural professionals, Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu have
been actively involved in teaching and research. They have been invited to
speak, exhibit and judge for many prestigious events and programs all over the
world. Lyndon Neri and Rossana are also founders of Design Republic, a retail
concept store based in Shanghai that offers a unique collection of products
created by the world's best design talents, Besides award-winning architecture
and interiors, Neri&Hu have designed products for brands including
including Classicon, Fritz Hansen, Gandia Blasco, JIA, LEMA, MOOOI,
Nanimarquina, Parachilna, Poltrona Frau S.p.A., Porro, Stellar Works,
Wallpaper* Handmade, Meritalia, BD Barcelona Design, neri&hu, among many
others. In 2015, Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu were appointed Creative Directors
of Stellar Works. |