Stories
Costanza, a story over thirty years.
“(…) Imagining this new lamp, I did not want to refer to any particular shade focused in my memory, but to an atmosphere, to a context around us, to things that all of us have seen, to the images we have always looked at. This “intrepid” form aroused my curiosity. I was curious about its persistence next to innovative light fittings; and stimulated by the evident reluctance of designers to approach it, with almost a snobish, or reverent perhaps, detachment. The light from a lampshade is always warm, pleasant and domestic, and therefore good.”
Paolo Rizzatto, interviewed by Marco Romanelli – DOMUS, October 1986
Costanza Table,
Designed by Paolo Rizzatto
Costanza Floor,
Designed by Paolo Rizzatto
Costanza Suspension,
Designed by Paolo Rizzatto
Costanza Wall,
Designed by Paolo RizzattoLightness and balance. The identity of an icon.
Costanza was created in 1986 thanks to the brilliance of Paolo Rizzatto, the internationally renowned designer and co-founder of the company. It was a simple but sparking bit of intuition: to rethink the classical shade lamp, combining the simplicity of its lines with very innovative technological solutions.
A very advanced project for the 1980s, thanks to the introduction of two very innovative elements: the material of the shade and the switching on the light.
The first innovation had to do with the material of the shade, a polycarbonate sheet that replaced traditional materials, facilitating transport thanks to the breakdown of the lamp into parts, with the possibility of assembling the flat sheet with a system of snaps, without any need for a frame.
The second innovative feature had to do with how the lamp is turned on and off: light emission is regulated by an electronic touch dimmer, performing on-off and intensity adjustments functions with a simple touch of the finger, exploiting the conductive properties of the human body.
The design is that of an archetypal lamp, combining simple, traditional, familiar forms: the square of the base, the straight line of the slender stem, the volume of the shade that evokes the form of the circle. The object comes to life from the relationship between two almost opposite formal worlds: one solid and symmetrycal, the other light and surprising, in a fusion of inimitable poise and natural aplomb.
The Costanza family.
The first entry on the timeline of the collection is the Costanza family, in its floor, table, wall and suspension versions, followed in 1992 by Costanzina, the mini-version of Costanza. The family then expanded with new models, each with own particular beauty and ability to enhance any type of space, including outdoor zones (Costanzina, Lady Costanza, Grande Costanza, Grande Costanza Open Air).
In 2013 Costanza evolved with a new range of colors, organized in two families of hues for the shade, each with 5 original colors that bring out the qualities of the matte surfaces. First came the Radieuse collection: forceful, dynamic colors in pure tones. The next development was the Mezzo Tono Collection, a soft painterly line of pastel shades.
The Radieuse collection is made of decisive and dynamic colors with the same tones seen in the architecture and paintings of the modern masters. The original hues have been adjusted with slight tonal variations, making them more versatile and vibrant: Primary Red, Liquorice Black, Petroleum Blue, Smart Yellow, Concrete Grey.
The Mezzo Tono Collection offers a range of pastels shades that are inspired by the paintings of Morandi, misty landscapes, and soft skins. Light tones that stand out for their subtlety, conveying a warm sense of welcome: Comfort Green, Edgy Pink, Mistic White, Soft Skin, Shaded Stone.
