It’s no exaggeration to say that LEDs have revolutionized what lighting can be and what it can achieve. “The flexibility and versatility of this modern lighting solution has allowed us to experiment with shapes and colours, creating completely new and surprising lighting effects,” says Davide Giovannardi of Mandalaki design studio. Launched as a new venture by the Milanese practice in 2017 to explore this untethered freedom, Halo Edition comprises a series of precision-engineered luminaires that marry the latest LEDs with optical lenses to project large, bright and intense spectra — vibrant sunset reds and deep oceanic blues.

With Halo Giga, light (in either Sunset Red or Deep Blue, shown) can be projected in an up to 10-metre diameter at night. Its slender body is “carved” from solid plate aluminum and maximizes the spread of heat.

“For us, the merging of art and technology is central to our brand philosophy, and we strive to create unique pieces of high conceptual value that go beyond a simple source of illumination,” adds Giovannardi. “We focus on devising experiences that transport our viewers to new metaphysical worlds, much like when we stop to watch a burning fire.” At Halo Edition, nature remains a vital source of inspiration.

Anchored by standing or suspended minimal-profile rods, the brand’s small but impactful diffusers emit large concentric fields of light suited for various indoor scenarios, if not art installations — à la James Turrell or Olafur Eliasson. “The feeling of loss of depth and the visual effect are key elements that deliver a unique sensorial experience,” says Giovannardi. Guided by the principles of Bauhaus, the fixtures are simple, modern and ergonomic, and are reduced to their essence — visibly and figuratively.

While the Landscape series alludes to natural settings here on Earth, the recent Cosmo collection translates imagery beyond our atmosphere and draws inspiration from the celestial bodies that orbit the galaxy. The Mag System converts both applications into transportable battery-powered fixtures. Revealed during this year’s Milan Design Week, the Halo Expeditions artistic project explored the perception of light in the “most extreme and characteristic natural places” where humankind has lived and sought “ancestral connections” with nature.

With its select yet dynamic offering, Mandalaki looks to mirror shifts in how we utilize our homes. “People pursue the possibility to work, exercise, have fun and relax in the same environment,” Giovannardi says. “Design must respond to these new needs, offering functional and innovative solutions that allow spaces to be easily and quickly transformed.”