Arco lamp - a design icon from the Castiglione brothers
The legendary Arco lamp was created in 1962 by designers Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for the company Flos.
The name of the model comes from the characteristic arc-shaped shape of the structure. The arch to which the ceiling lamp is attached is made of chrome-plated stainless steel and consists of three movable sections. This allows you to change the height and direction of the light.
Construction and materials
The ceiling lamp consists of two parts:
- perforated diffuser;
- aluminum lampshade.
As over half a century ago, the elements are made of polished aluminum and coated with tsapo lacquer for a characteristic shine. The perforated diffuser bears the Flos brand mark on the inside.
The base of the lamp is a massive block of white Carrara marble weighing about 65 kg. It is this that ensures the stability of the structure and prevents it from tipping over.
There is a round hole in the center of gravity of the marble base - you can insert a stick or metal rod into it for convenient movement of the lamp. The corners of the marble have neat cuts, and the connection of the base and the metal arc is made without visible fasteners or gaps.
Interesting facts about Arco
Original Carrara marble
The original Arco lamp is made exclusively from white Carrara marble. The black marble versions were produced only once - for the model's anniversary in 2002 - and have long become a collector's rarity.
Sophisticated engineering
The design of the lamp was carefully calculated by the designers: the massive base and precise arc radius ensure perfect balance and stability.
This feature was played up in one of Arco's first advertising campaigns, where an athlete used the arc of the lamp as a horizontal bar. Despite the load, the heavy marble base reliably held the structure.
Homemade "street lamp"«
The most famous fact about Arco is that the Castiglione brothers wanted to create a home version of a street lamp. The idea turned out to be so successful that the lamp became one of the most famous objects of modern interior design.
Today, Arco can be seen in private homes, hotels, showrooms and public spaces around the world. At one time, the lamp was even in the residence of a former British Prime Minister. David Cameron, although it later turned out that it was a copy, not the original.