When a year comes to an end, it’s often common to reflect and look back. While it is important to acknowledge the past, thinking about the future is equally, and at times more so significant. For Luminaire, 2017 signified a year of dynamic exhibitions, lectures, events, noteworthy openings and special partnerships that will help take Luminaire to new heights in the years to come.
With 2018 around the corner, we are enamored with the opportunity to bring forth another year of exceptional thought-provoking programming as well as expansions that will allow us to continue our mission of creating environments that change people’s lives.
Early in the year, Salone de Mobile Milano introduced the latest groundbreaking designs from leading contemporary brands like B&B Italia, Bocci, Cappellini, Cassina, Flexform, GlasItalia, Paola Lenti, amongst others. Outside of the fairgrounds, we explored satellite exhibitions by Nendo, the showrooms of Flos, Henri Timi, Paola Lenti, and Porro, as well as coinciding events like Euroluce and institutions like La Triennale di Milano and Fondazione Prada. We also had the opportunity to discover new and emerging innovating designers like Arturo Alvarez and more.
Kicking off the summer months, we had the honor of welcoming the legendary Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio in Chicago for a lecture at the Museum of Contemporary Art followed the opening reception of a month-long exhibition highlighting Citterio’s work in our showroom that coincided with Neocon Chicago. The exhibition featured iconic pieces designed by Citterio for renowned brands including B&B Italia, Vitra, and Flos that uncovered the designer’s connective stories between process, product, and design.
Also during Neocon, Canadian design company, Bocci’s 87 series made its U.S. debut in our Chicago showroom with an expansive installation of 61 pendants combined to make a strikingly contemporary chandelier. Designed by the company’s creative director Omer Arbel, 87 uniquely transformed glass into sculptural lighting elements that blurred the boundaries between craft and design.
At Luminaire, the summer season also marked the beginning of a very special partnership with furniture company Haworth. This union will allow for the preservation of our legacy as well give room for expansion under our single mission and founding principle, to propagate good design and enrich people’s lives.
Later in the year, we welcomed legendary Italian manufacturers Cassina and Cappellini back into the family by offering their innovative range of products in our showrooms and online store. The reunion marked an addition to our catalog where together, we look forward to a future building and sharing the notion of good design.
In the Fall, we had the pleasure to host ICFF Miami’s second year in the city with the show’s opening reception at Luminaire Lab in Miami’s Design District. The celebratory event brought together attendees, exhibitors and design aficionados for the success of ICFF’s second Miami edition.
Later in October, we opened the doors to two unique Miami locations in the Design District, Lab² and our pop-up space, LuminaireX. We celebrated the openings with our event Design Around the District that served as an informal tour of the Luminaire campus in the neighborhood that allowed guests to explore our first Design District outpost, Luminaire Lab as well as the two new spaces. Located at 4100 NE 2nd Ave, Lab² is an immersive two-story showroom that is dedicated to propagating good design and showcasing environments that affect people's lives in a space that features products from pioneering Italian design companies Cassina and Cappellini among other complementing brands including lighting, rugs, accessories, and more. Now on its fourth edition, LuminaireX is a temporary experimental concept space where design, art, fashion, and more intersect. The limited-time shop, located at 4141 NE 2nd Ave, brings together like-minded individuals and organizations that represent the best available in their respective fields. The carefully selected local partners, including Neushop and Schindelhauer Bikes by The Superior Bike Shop, are presented alongside a dynamic selection of Luminaire merchandise to create an unmissable retail experience.
In December, architects Ron Krueck and Mark Sexton graced our Chicago showroom for a lecture that explored their career of over 35 years. The founders of Krueck + Sexton Architects discussed among attendees how they thoughtfully meld furniture and finishes into their architectural projects to create one unified vision of design.
Meanwhile, in Miami, we hosted two back-to-back separate events at Luminaire Lab and Lab² in the Design District during Miami Art Week. At our newly opened showroom, Lab², we welcomed Patricia Urquiola, Felix Burrichter and Konstantin Grcic in collaboration with legendary brand Cassina for an evening that explored the future of domestic landscapes as well as served as the Miami introduction to Cassina’s latest monograph, This Will Be The Place. During the event, guests had the opportunity to interact with the designers as well as attain a signed copy of the book which was available for purchase. Subsequently, at Luminaire Lab we partnered with Cappellini to host the opening reception for the inauguration of an exhibition that featured works by the late Japanese designer, Shiro Kuramata. During the event, founder of the eponymous Italian company, Giulio Cappellini, gave his insight into the work of Kuramata as well as shared his personal stories and relationship with the designer.
While looking toward to the years ahead of us, we give thanks to everyone for the continued support throughout our past year 43 years. We look forward to 2018 and beyond where Luminaire’s vision will continue to expand and enlighten others through good design.
December 2017
