After world war II, light has been the protagonist of a story that has changed not only sustainability and technology, but also design and layout of interior environments, becoming a major player in architecture as well. After the dark and tragic age of war there is finally a recovery, a light at the end of the tunnel.

Lighting since the post – war period: a formidable innovation

In Italy, the evolution of lighting design developed side by side with post war recovery. What was an asset for few, in those years starts to be an available possibility for all; domestic electrification reached the most remote villages and also rural areas. The approach and management of lighting also changes and energy saving immediately becomes a priority, both for private and public; evolution was inevitable and, among the most decisive steps, we saw the transition from incandescent to compact fluorescent bulbs.

Lighting: LED’s revolution

If in the 1950s lighting evolved relying on energy saving, but in recent years LEDs have revolutionized this industry, focusing on lower power consumption and energy performance, but not only that: miniaturization of bulb’s size and the possibility for tuning light shades. This revolution concerns entirely the lighting market but also all the fields that derive from it, starting with design.

Lighting and design: an innovative contribution

Beyond functionality, lighting allows and offers new ingenious uses, laying the foundations for a link with design. Architects talking about “theoretical” reflection on lighting say: if it’s true that natural lighting is desirable for the sake of renewability, artificial lighting today is necessary.

For this reason, modern innovation is projecting into integrated lighting management, where designers and planners are focusing their efforts. Design deals with architectural projects in which the light sources must be evaluated according to the environment that has to be illuminated. There is a range of results, and each also respond to a different setting. A mid – twentieth century vintage – style home, for example, will prefer softer lighting if compared to minimal modern environments.

Vintage lighting: a special touch

Lighting gives a special touch in the context of vintage décor, that has its own well-defined structure. There are several solutions to use, either with an indirect lighting system or with special vintage lamps.  Vintage lighting allows you to immediately recognize the style of the house, from floor lamps to ceiling lights, up to vintage filament bulbs that are now back in vogue, a vast array of possibilities. Thanks to the evolution of LED technology, today is possible to bring together vintage style with modern needs, in a perfect balance both from an economic and ecological point of view. Every room changes color, atmosphere and energy starting with the lighting.