Design
Lumifer
Helix Horizontal Pendant, brass and hand-blown glass. Available in 4, 6, or 8 tiers. Standard overall height: 30″- 60″.
Image courtesy of: Lumifer
Based in New York City, Lumifer is a lighting, furniture, and accessories studio founded by Javier Robles in 2014. Robles, an architect by trade, saw the need for specific products for his interior design projects. The void in the industry led him to design an evolving collection of work that was inspired by Robles’ international experiences and cultural expansiveness.
Robles was born in Peru and began designing pieces while attending architecture school at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. With this degree in hand, the architect completed a Masters at Columbia University in New York City. Following, he taught at the New School- Parsons School of Design in the Product Design and Interior Design Department.
A sketch of a side table.
Image courtesy of: Lumifer
Robles’ first lighting project was called Lumifer… it is a name made up of two words: luminaria and ferro. The piece was a desk lamp composed of construction rebars. Hence, the name of the title emerged; what also emerged is Robles’ ability to design and craft pieces in various sizes and from different, unusual materials.
Lumifer’s product lines are simple and sophisticated; the designs are handcrafted by some of America’s most talented artisans who are adept in glass blowing, leather, stone, wood, upholstery, and hand-applying finishes. All the products are made-to-order and customizable. The firm’s team of architects and designers collaborate with clients to produce whatever their clients’ imaginations dream up.
Sampa Light, a limited-edition series made in Peru. The trapezoidal bi-folded steel piece works as a wall or table light, it can also be grouped together to form larger compositions.
Image courtesy of: Lumifer
Perhaps it is Robles’ global knowledge that has so elevated his multidisciplinary design practice. Aside from design, the studio has a prolific portfolio of projects in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Clients seek Roble’s “unique and consistent design vocabulary that combines a diverse cultural identity, his global lifestyle and the knowledge of materials, forms and scales to create a collection of unique and functional products that elevate their surroundings and exhibit a deep appreciation for quality and craft.”
Stellar Vertical Pendant, made from brass and hand-blown glass. The pendant was inspired by images of our universe courtesy of NASA’s “deep field” telescopes. Courtesy of Lumifer, ” this lighting composition is based on orbiting binary stars as well as the massive galaxies they inhabit. Light beams project outwards from each glass globe and are reflected and intensified by the paired glass oval disc.”
Image courtesy of: Surface Magazine
Exhibiting a timeless quality of light is at the heart of what Robles hopes to achieve. Even though the studio makes furniture and accessories, light is the studio’s “gravy.” The designer’s use of contrasting materials… industrial metal and incandescent bulbs… brings a unique, functional purpose to the fixtures.
For many years, Robles had been working on architectural lighting for his private clients. Setting themselves apart, Lumifer employs a team of highly technical and skilled electricians that are able to custom wire each light to ensure it is functional for the “long haul” and in accordance to set guidelines.
NYX Daybed, made from wood, brass, and steel. Available in two wood options and two metal options.
Image courtesy of: Lumifer
When asked to describe his studio, Robles did not hesitate. As told to Behance, “Modernism inspires with industrial references. We aim to capture the contemporary spirit by creating objects that are simple in design and complex in its detailing and materiality. Lumifer’s spirit is to craft unique objects that are powerful, luxurious, and timeless.”
