A mosaic of color and light is revealed on a web of textures

The architectural firm Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT took on the exciting task of designing Ceramiche Ragno’s first showroom in Milan, creating a flagship space that presents the brand’s catalog of porcelain and ceramic products in a truly remarkable way.

Ragno’s collections are showcased within an original wooden structure characterized by organic and sinuous shapes. This lattice of wooden slats casts intricate shadows on the floor, providing an immersive and dynamic experience for visitors. “The idea of displaying Ragno’s collections through large structures simulating a spider’s web emerged from the company’s history, as its name in Italian means ‘spider.’ The concept of a spider being capable of creating such a powerful material and weaving its home with it, while also using it as a trap, is a highly perfected skill developed over thousands (or millions) of years, and it’s incredibly fascinating,” explains Benedetta Tagliabue, discussing the project’s inspiration.

The lighting design posed a particular challenge: to achieve clean, neutral, and warm lighting that would accentuate the three key elements of this project. Firstly, it needed to create a neutral and clean space with warm colors and lighting to enhance the exhibited ceramic pieces, treating them like works of art. Secondly, it needed to illuminate the magnificent porcelain mosaic floor, a striking multicolored masterpiece. And last but not least, it needed to accentuate the use of wood, the chosen material for installations, furniture, and doors, to craft a showroom where customers would feel at home, in a warm and welcoming space.

To meet these requirements, a three-level lighting proposal was implemented. First, Palco 37mm projectors were installed on the ceiling to highlight the mosaic floor. Customized desk lamp-shaped luminaires were used to uniformly illuminate the displayed pieces, creating an aesthetic effect reminiscent of an art gallery. Finally, decorative hanging luminaires were strategically placed to illuminate other spaces, such as meeting areas, adding to the overall ambiance.

In collaboration with Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects, Artec Studio’s lighting design played a crucial role in bringing Ragno’s showroom to life, transforming it into a visually stunning and welcoming space for customers to explore the brand’s exceptional ceramic offerings.