Masiero has mastered the art of letting the light in
Kieron is a freelance writer and Digital Consultant who doesn't consider himself a design lover but a user of design - which to him is more than enough.
LinkedinAfter forty years working on hospitality and residential projects, we spoke to Masiero about their approach to designing luminaires and how they get the light just right, every time.
2021 has been a momentous twelve months for Italian lighting specialist Masiero. In the same year that marked its fortieth anniversary, the brand released a succession of new products including a gold edition of some of its most iconic collections to celebrate its birthday.
It’s an occasion to remember its origin story, which started back in 1981 when Masiero was founded as a small atelier (formerly known as Emme Pi Light). The company only assumed the current name in 2005, when Enrico Maria Masiero, the son of the company’s founders joined the firm.
Still based in Casale sul Sile in the Italian province of Treviso near Venice, it retains its close connections to the craft tradition and history of the region. As well as fittings that evoke the majesty of historic Venetian palaces, the influence of the city’s glassblowing art is evident throughout its creations. Beyond that, evocative shapes, high-quality raw materials and artistic workmanship testify to a deep rootedness in the Italian design tradition.
With everything from iron, brass, steel, Damask silk, crystal and Bassano ceramics at their disposal, the specialised production and the hands of its artisans play a massive part in Masiero being one of the world’s leading lighting specialists.
“One of the services with the greatest added value that we offer to the market and that differentiates us from many other competitors is the customization of the product,” says Masiero CEO Enrico Maria Masiero. “For us, it is essential first of all to understand in depth the real needs of the client. Our desire is to offer a consultancy service to the customer, in order to best reconcile their requests with our technical skills, both from a constructive and aesthetic point of view.”
“Our goal is to satisfy the customer by respecting the allocated budget, the brief provided, the requested timing, all while maintaining the signature and identity of Masiero. Light is emotion and that is why for us at Masiero beauty and visual suggestion are the starting points of any project.”
“As in the best haute couture ateliers, the whole process begins with the drafting of hand-drawn sketches by our style office that turns ideas into reality.”
Many of Masiero’s iconic pieces have been relaunched with a golden upgrade due to the company’s 40th anniversary, don’t miss Masiero goes gold with icons collection celebrating 40th anniversary.
Theoretically, pieces can be customized without limits as long as they are in compliance with technical constraints. To make things easier for its customers and especially those that aren’t coming to them with ambitious projects, Masiero offers a standardised approach to bespoke designs as a starting point.
“The workshop is the beating heart of the company, where everything comes to life,” says the Masiero design department. “Each Masiero collection is offered with a color palette in the catalog, which best represents our interpretation of the product – on top of these “standard” colours, the client has the chance to choose custom colour options to fit personal taste and aesthetic needs.”
“It’s also possible to change the size of already existing products but this depends on the project requirements and the product in question.”
“Lastly, it is possible to offer a totally custom product, which includes installations or productions that do not exist in the catalog but arise from a specific request from a customer. In this case, the request is analyzed by making a production, aesthetic and price study. If all the above are feasible, it is possible to proceed with production.”
“It is essential to fully understand the customer’s requests, dissect every aspect, and verify the technical feasibility. Sometimes there can be a big difference between what is requested and what is possible but as long as the budget allows it—the possibilities are endless.”
Here, Masiero employs specialist area managers who play a fundamental role in trying to understand exactly the needs of the client and deal with all departments interested in the development.
“In addition to the aesthetic aspect, it is essential to ascertain all the implications of a technical nature, both in the development and construction phase and in the installation phase.”
“It is important to assess what the lighting needs are of the space where the project is intended. Different areas of the home or contract spaces can have very different lighting needs.”
“For example, a studio apartment might require multiple lighting options to ensure a well-lit dining area and possible spotlighting over entryways. Another example might be in office environments or study areas where mid-level lighting tends to maintain a sense of comfort.”
“It is our task to provide not only what aesthetically and technically satisfies the customer’s request, but also managing to correctly illuminate the area.”
This in-depth knowledge combined with the level of customisation makes Masiero a go-to in both hospitality and residential projects where the company’s understanding of illumination ensures that projects can go ahead without any hiccups.
Consequently, the brand has an extensive portfolio demonstrating the impact of light when used effectively. After all, lighting can act as a lot more than just an illuminator; it can enhance what a designer or architect is trying to achieve. If you’re not convinced just take a look at some of Masiero’s standout projects…
Raqam inside Grace Bistrot
Designed by Marc Sadler, Raqam is a contemporary chandelier constructed from customisable modular combinations. It can adapt to all types of surfaces with no size limits using combinations of modules to create vertical suspensions and wall or ceiling decorations for both residential and contract use. Here, in this café designed by Russian studio NB, the modular LED lighting system is the undisputed protagonist of the design, illuminating the walls and diffusing a warm glow across the entire interior.
Nappe inside The Rosenplänter Boutique Hotel
The Rosenplänter Boutique Hotel is a cozy design hotel located in the historic center of Pärnu, Estonia. A luxurious destination, built in a recently renovated historic house, Masiero’s Nappe collection designed by Marco Zito is used to spotlight the project’s intimate social areas elegantly adorning and illuminating the bar counters and dining table.
The collaboration between Masiero and Marco Zitto produced the beautiful Nappe collection, read more about it here Reinterpreting traditional icons with minimalism: Nappe collection by Masiero.
Horo inside Lancashire’s Marhaba Bar Restaurant
“Lighting is one of my most important expressions of interior design,” says Junaid Khan, founder and designer of Bibi Interiors, which has used Masiero’s Horo lights to illuminate Lancashire’s Marhaba Bar Restaurant. Here, the light creates a play of light thanks to pink glass details used throughout the interior. “In this case, the shape and colour fit very well with the colours chosen for the interiors,” Khan adds. “The strength of the project is represented by the details and finishes of the lights. Horo integrates perfectly.”
“Horo is a transversal product that lends itself to use in hospitality projects, thanks to the iconic yet easy-to-match design,” says Masiero. “There’s also the possibility of being inserted as a single element, in repetitions or in combos.”
Maria Theresa inside The Grand Hotel Le Touquet
The Grand Hotel Le Touquet is a beautifully renovated historic property, located in front of the bay of Canche. As part of its renovation, the atrium has been decorated with the majestic Maria Theresa, an iconic Venetian chandelier, in a vibrant red colour. Entering the hotel bar, an installation of 10 Maria Theresa in black gently illuminate the room, emphasizing the Gatsby-inspired, art deco atmosphere of the space.
VE 760 inside penthouse by AB + Partner
Simple lines and neoclassical details inspired the interiors of this spacious and well-lit penthouse by AB + Partner studio. In the large living area that occupies half of the total area of the house, the preciousness of metal and crystals finds expression thanks to the inclusion of the VE 760 chosen in the oval shape to illuminate the living area and linear to illuminate the dining table.
“Lighting becomes a design element of the whole that emphasizes the beauty of the whole,” explains Masiero. “The same style has been maintained in the bedroom: simplicity, refined surfaces, warm colours and lots of light, with golden details that embellish this room.”
“Here, Timeo inserted as a suspension on the sides of the bed and as a light point from the ground thanks to the floor lamp brings at the same time design, elegance and a touch of modernity.”
Nappe and Drylight inside Katrina Kristiansen’s Home Renovation
During the renovation of her home in Norway, interior designer Katrina Kristiansen wanted a group of pendant lamps that were decorative as well as illuminating: “I wanted a visual statement that was also an artistic piece and that’s why I chose Nappe!”, explains Kristiansen.
“A year later, I was looking for a decorative light to beautify the outdoor space in the garden, I wanted to add a wow factor! So obviously the Drylight series enchanted me.”
