Web-based design and architecture magazine MOCO LOCO seeks out the best and brightest in innovative new products and, on occasion, the quest is preempted and something spectacular basically shows up on their doorstep — well, their virtual doorstep, anyway. Harry Wakefield, who doubles as MOCO LOCO’s editor and publisher, welcomes submissions from hot new designers like one Italian company, .exnovo, which uses digital design and 3D printing to create outstanding, contemporary lighting solutions.
Founded in the Italian city of Trento in 2010 by partners Ignazio Pomini and Fabio Ciciani, .exnovo is a brand of HSL, which was the first company in Italy and one of the first in Europe to use 3D printing technologies for the rapid production of prototypes. 3D design and printing is at the heart of .exnovo’s innovative approach to contemporary design. The company designs and produces small, limited production runs of lamps and furnishing accessories thanks to the company’s collaboration with up-and-coming, talented Italian artisans and artists.
MOCO LOCO is featuring a new lamp design by .exnovo designer Marco Lafiandra. Called “Section,” this pendant lamp features a perforated, textured, hemispherical cover underneath which emerges the molded, tubular diffuser that channels the light rather than broadcasting it. The metal underside of the cover or shade is reflective, 
creating a wonderful, toned-down effect. The cap and diffuser for “Section” are 3D printed from sintered polyamide.
Lafiandra designed another unique lighting solution, which he called “Volume.” Similar to “Section,” the lamp distributes light in a wider, scattered way using mirror shields and truly clever design to create an interesting effect while, of course, providing light. “Volume” is also 3D printed using sintered polyamide.
Lafiandra is one of several evidently forward-thinking designers working for .exnovo.
Browsing the lamps and a few other decorative objects, I really didn’t see a single product that I didn’t like. Some favorites were the “Medusa,” another pendant lamp made of sintered polyamide and resin, designed by Andrea Negri. Translucent, it resembles a jellyfish and, possibly not surprisingly, calls to mind some of the exquisite glass work of the Venetian tradition. I also love the “Saturno Cluster,” designed by Selvaggia Armani, which looks part-mobile, part chandelier with individual lights with small paper shades. Again, this lighting ensemble subtly refers to traditional lighting but there’s definitely a chic, contemporary twist.
I’m not surprised the MOCO LOCO chose to highlight one of .exnovo’s 3D printed lighting solutions and hope it draws attention to this bold, tech-savvy Italian company. Browse the inventory on .exnovo’s site and then make your way to MOCO LOCO, where you’ll be lost for hours admiring the products on this extremely well-curated site.
What do you think about these designs? Let us know your thoughts in the Contemporary 3D Printed Lamps forum thread over at 3DPB.com. Check out more photos of the designs below.
Volume
