Foscarini was established in Venice in 1981.
The initial material used when Foscarini began as a company was Murano glass. This is still a strong component of the products manufactured, but the range has now expanded to include polyethylene, wood and aluminium alongside specially patented materials.
The company has always strived to ensure the identity of the brand by careful protection of the Murano glass products, whilst also considering new materials and products with which to develop the Foscarini brand.
Variety is a key element to the range of lighting designs Foscarini produces. To help this, the company work with established designers and younger emerging designers with alternative styles and approaches to the task. This results in a diverse and innovative range of products. Current designers include Valerio Bottin, Rodolfo Dordoni, Jozeph Forakis, James Irvine, Marc Sadler and Patricia Urquiola & Eliana Gerotto.
Foscarini spends time researching into new design ideas, and product materials. Throughout the collection of products, each light has its own form and character whilst still fulfilling its main purpose of illuminating the space.
Each designer mentioned above has created stylish iconic lighting suitable for use in residential space, as well as business and commercial spaces.
Valerio Bottin has created two very different designs for Foscarini with Totem and Bubble. Totem was designed in 1998 and as its name suggests is a floor light standing very tall and thin with clean lines and simple white diffusers. Bubble (2000) comes as a table and a suspension version. Bubble follows a spherical shape using moulded pieces which fit around a metal centre stem.
A very popular and classic design from Foscarini is the Lumiere 05 light which is available in small and large sizes. Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni in 1990, this light has an elegant stand and beautiful glass diffusers in white, ivory or amber.
The Havana light by Jozeph Forakis comes in a range of fittings and can be used indoors or outdoors depending on your needs. Designed in 1993, the Havana is an iconic light which will not lose its appeal for many years to come. This is a true design classic which is exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Cloud light (2005) is sure to follow in the same direction. This elegant light has a long slender stem leading up to a soft round head which glows with light.
Haloscope has an industrial feel to it with a fabulous translucent stem, and a diffuser in either chrome or satin finish which rotates parallel to the floor. Designed by James Irvine in 2005, this is a tall and elegant lamp with a simple design.
Marc Sadler has recently created the Twiggy floor lamp, a stunningly beautiful floor light which simply oozes elegance and sophistication. The natural linear aspect of the light fuses perfectly with the choice of 4 different colour finishes – yellow, red, black and white. There is also the ability to alter the drop of the light through an ingenious system of counterweights which allow free regulation of the height of the diffuser.
Urquiola & Gerotto’s Caboche light is one of the most captivating light you will ever see. The light is composed of spheres of transparent polymethylmetacrylate in a concentric layout that multiplies the brightness of the central light source. The diffusion of the light is cleverly done so as to avoid glare through a screen of white matt finished blown glass. This light is part of a range which includes floor, table, wall and ceiling lights.
