ORSINI - BESPOKE LIGHTING

Our Orsini interior took away the 2023 RED Award for the Fashion and Accessories category. An achievement we are very proud of especially considering the big names we were up against.

Here we share insight into the process of the custom wall light featured in the space. We enjoy the process of creation. It allows for exploration and the opportunity to engage local craftsmen in special design. 

THE INFLUENCE
The client’s love for and history with Italy is the origin of the design concept so a strong Italian influence was the natural direction, with references to Murano glass and sunlight refractions on the water’s surface.

THEDESIGN
We wanted an undulating surface and texture within the glass itself to look organic and irregular.

This piece is a focal point in the space defined by its large scale. Because of this scale it softness and refined detailing were important to prevent it from feeling too weighty.

The Murano glass reference is made obvious but also respects that this is a piece made locally in New Zealand so does not try to replicate Italian design. 

THE GLASS PROCESS
Isaac of Monmouth Glass was key in developing the glass panes.   A significant amount of time went into prototyping the panes to ensure the right balance of texture, colour and form was achieved. 

Simplified, each pane fuses two sheets of glass in a mould.  The moulds were hand formed to create the surface ripples.

Bubbles within the fused glass were created using baking soda and gold dust lent their reflective shimmer.

THE FRAME PROCESS
We understood the final form we wanted the viewer to see but then had to resolve how this could be manufactured.  From a number of options we landed on a wall plate fitting that would be able to support the weight of the glass.  Flat bars are nested on the large plate so panes could be layered to create a cascading chandelier form. 

A steel prototype was made to ensure design would work structurally and functionally and to confirm the best proportions for panes and layering. 

From here the final piece was fabricated in brass.  The light source is a single diffused LED light strip integrated into the wall plate that provides a linear wash of light through the layers. 

THE RESULT
We are in love with this piece and the way it’s story is translated into its form. The light gradation and shadow play through undulating gold flecked glass sits gently on its monochrome canvas.