Designing for Sustainability: A Conversation with Artemide
Artemide CEO and award-winning designer Carlotta de Bevilacqua recently visited IE University for a chat with IE School of Architecture & Design students and faculty. Settling in for a two-hour presentation at the Design Studio on the 22nd floor of IE Tower, Carlotta shared her design philosophy, which she refers to as “a blend of humanism and science.” She placed particular emphasis on how light affects people’s psychology and physiology—which is, of course, reflected in Artemide’s designs.
The presentation, which resulted from a partnership with the Italian embassy, featured several lamp models and included the distribution of catalogs to students. From the company history to today’s challenge of sustainability, Carlotta had plenty of insights and tidbits to share with us. At the end of the session, she took questions from the students and still had time for a quick tour of the top of IE Tower, before being whisked away to her next presentation at the nearby Torre Cespa.
The History of Artemide
The talk began with a brief history of Artemide. The Milan-based Italian company, founded in 1960 by Carlotta’s late husband, Ernesto Gismondi, is one of the most renowned designer lighting brands in the world and known for its “The Human Light” philosophy. Artemide is recognised for the light design and innovation skill of its research and development team, as well as the high-quality of its manufacturing.
Since its inception, Artemide has won multiple awards, with in connection to its two most famous products: the iconic Tizio and Tolomeo desk lamps.
Artemide’s 60-year history and the company’s values are reflected in a simple statement:
The approach to human and responsible lighting goes hand in hand with design and material savoir-faire, combining next-generation technology with ancient wisdom, in a perfect expression of sustainable design.
The Link Between Light and Health
Carlotta presented samples of some of Artemide’s most famous objects, including products she had designed herself, while emphasizing the importance of lighting on both physical and mental health.
According to her, Artemide strives to design lighting that is aesthetically pleasing but also promotes healthier lifestyles. Lighting has been linked to higher levels of energy and better overall moods, so the right lighting can also result in a more relaxing and calming home environment.
Artemide and Sustainability
Sustainability is fast becoming an unavoidable topic in the world of architecture and design. During her presentation, Carlotta discussed how sustainability has become a norm that companies and designers must integrate into their works, coming up with new solutions to today’s challenges.
Artemide, for one, is on a path towards 360° sustainability. This is reflected in the company’s commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability and the pursuit of a more responsible relationship with the environment.
After the presentation, IE School of Architecture & Design students were able to pick Carlotta’s brain and gain personal insight into an award-winning design company—and a different perspective on the world of design.
This talk was only the latest in a long history of dedication to the development of light design. Artemide has always sought to establish partnerships with the most famous international architects and designers, actively promoting workshops with renowned design schools throughout the world to find the most promising young talents.
