Developed in collaboration with designer Matteo Thun, the new Sconfine luminaire range from Zumtobel is expanding the limits of lighting design.

The series of chrome wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted and pendant lumaires, in various forms, provide light that extends spatial limits, creating a sense of visual depth.

The Sconfine range uses light to play with a room’s geometry, dissolving spatial boundaries to create a new visual geometry.

Award-winning architect and designer Matteo Thun explains how Sconfine luminaires came to be –

1. How did your collaboration with Zumtobel come about?

We have worked together with Zumtobel for quite some time, on a variety of projects. We were requested by Zumtobel to develop a new range of decorative luminaires for shops, restaurants and hotels. That is how Sconfine evolved – as a kick-off for a new ’Decorative luminaires’ product range to which new designs are to be added over the next years.

2. What is the design concept behind the Sconfine luminaire range?

During the design stage, our headline was ’No body’ ("NO CARROZERIA!"). We were inspired by Dan Flavin’s work – that is why we adopted the dissolution of boundaries approach and created a light-weight range reduced to what is essential. What was important to me as an architect was that the individual components can be used for a variety of applications, putting the focus on the modular principle.

3. How have the luminaires changed from the design concept to implementation? Do you have a "favourite luminaire", and if so, why?

The initial, very geometric designs barely changed from the first sketch to implementation. Linea – a playful combination of neon tubes – can be used both horizontally and vertically; in the latter case, numerous luminaires are arranged to create an image of luminous clouds that is among my favourites.

The geometrical cubes are extremely flexible – as individual units, as clusters of 9, or as entire walls, RGB control is possible like for Linea, and upon the architect’s request, they can be configured in a variety of ways. The lighting scenes generated in this way have an impact on the setting, provide accents or evoke emotions – whether in shops, restaurants or hotels. All three products in the Sconfine range unfold their special beauty where their components are formed into clusters to create an abundance of lighting scenes.

Matteo Thun & Partners, Milan

Zumtobel

www.zumtobel.com

Designer Matteo Thun