In 1973, the manipulation of industrial materials was as much a statement of technical prowess as it was an aesthetic choice. For the Spanish lighting brand Marset, this era was defined by the Lauro, a collection designed by P. Aragay and J. Pérez Mateo. The range was notable for its continuous steel stem and base—a silhouette that, at the time, pushed the boundaries of what was possible with cold-bent steel.
The reissued collection maintains the original’s fluid geometry. The tubular stems appear to pool onto surfaces, creating a seamless transition from support to base. This structural continuity is paired with a functional flexibility: the methacrylate shades can be adjusted vertically along the stem and rotated to direct light precisely. Marset’s decision to bring back the Lauro, which includes the original table and floor versions alongside a new wall-mounted iteration, suggests a belief that the "emotional language" of the 1970s remains vital in contemporary spaces.
While the materials—steel, chrome, and methacrylate—are traditional, the Lauro represents a specific philosophy of permanence. In an era of ephemeral digital interfaces, there is a renewed demand for objects with physical volume and historical weight. The collection serves as a reminder that the most successful industrial designs are those that solve technical challenges so elegantly they eventually appear effortless.
With reporting from Dezeen.
Source · Dezeen
