LIGHTING PRODUCT DESIGN INNOVATION NEXUS, MODULAR GLASS LAMP

This thesis investigates the intersection between lighting product design, material experimentation and modular systems through the development of a glass lighting system based on the logic of iterative aggregation. The work begins with an in-depth analysis of the state of the art, which includes an examination of the main modular systems on the market and lamps selected from the ADI Design Index 2025, highlighting recurring values such as structural clarity, technological integration and a propensity towards adaptive and open forms. This process gives rise to the idea of a single module, made of glass, whose geometry, inspired by a reinterpretation of branched molecular structures, allows for different modes of connection and spatial expansion. The research focuses on the development of an innovative magnetic joint, designed to function simultaneously as a structural element and as a conductor capable of transmitting electrical power from one module to another. In this way, the light is activated through simple contact between the modules, transforming the act of aggregation into a switching mechanism. The project also carefully addresses the issues of material feasibility and craftsmanship, particularly with regard to glassworking techniques. Dialogue with glass artisans guides the definition of the module’s geometry, ensuring a balance between conceptual intent and production constraints. Prototyping and digital modelling support the verification of structural behaviour, connection logic and internal cable integration, while the satin finish of the glass helps to conceal the technical elements, emphasising the perceptual continuity of the system. The result is a speculative lighting ecosystem: a modular structure capable of aggregating into scalable configurations, in which each unit acts simultaneously as a light source and a connecting node. The project demonstrates how modularity, material sensitivity and integrated technology can converge towards new possibilities for contemporary lighting design: systems that grow, adapt and illuminate through the simple logic of connection.