Lighting

Oluce

Founded in 1945, Oluce owes its character to an entrepreneur who captured the spirit of Milan in the 1970s. In his city-centre showroom, he personally and enthusiastically presented lamps by leading designers of the time to a discerning, culturally engaged clientele.

It was in this climate of exploration into form and product design that Bruno Gecchelin began working with the company. Using a newly available 12 V halogen bulb, he created Wing. Other lamps followed, each distinguished by an evocative design, meticulous detailing, quality materials and carefully considered light output.

Black-and-white photo of Bruno Gecchelin in a dark suit, standing among six floor lamps, Oluce — Bruno Gecchelin with the floor lamps designed for Oluce. Photo: S. Libis.

Wing lamp with finned head and adjustment ring, with the 12 V halogen bulb in an inset; black-and-white photo, Oluce — Wing, 1973. Held at the Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro.

Two details of the Dogale lamp: the shade and the joint between arm and base, Oluce — Dogale: details.

Head of the Dogale lamp with green glass shade, on a black background, Oluce — Dogale: the head.

Dogale table lamp with arched arm, white shade and black base, Oluce — Dogale, 1977.

Head of the Domea floor lamp with flat reflector on a blade-like stem, Oluce — Domea, 1974.

Head of the Sovrana floor lamp with slim tilted reflector, Oluce — Sovrana, 1977.

Head of the Otello floor lamp with triangular bowl reflector, Oluce — Otello, 1985. Held at the Museum Die Neue Sammlung, Munich.

Round Perla wall light in white glass with two slots, Oluce — Perla, 1985.

Perla table lamp with pale green glass shade and tilted stem, Oluce — Perla, table version.

Head of the Personal table lamp with finned reflector, on a black background, Oluce — Personal, 1986.

Gemma lamps in a room: two wall lights and a floor lamp, Oluce — Gemma, wall and floor versions.

Arianna table lamp with white screens, in two photos: open and closed, Oluce — Arianna, 1990: open and closed.

Designing for Oluce has always involved a wide variety of materials and finishes. This has allowed me to explore different directions freely while maintaining a clear stylistic thread across the projects.

“By chance, the beginning of my collaboration with the company coincided with the arrival and growing use of a halogen bulb that has remained a kind of guiding star in my design work.”
Bruno Gecchelin

Unless otherwise stated, images are sourced from Oluce’s catalogues and published solely to document the studio’s design work. All rights remain with their respective holders, as set out in the Legal notices.

Project stories with Oluce

Wing · 1973The modular repetition of a single component.

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