“Patricia Urquiola: “”With Almendra, I’ve designed nature””. The renowned Spanish designer has created a lighting collection with original, organic and natural shapes. Like ethereal and graceful mobiles, the Almendra pendant lights are inspired by the lightweight and modular nature of tree branches and almond shapes. The Almendra pendant lights are essential, technological and poetic all at once. These aluminium pendant lights are composed of large, horizontal stems topped with delicate, stacked discs which conceal the LED sources behind a polycarbonate diffuser screen. The stacked shape of the diffusers is reminiscent of an open almond shell, a giant petal or even a tree leaf. These dynamic diffusers can all pivot at 60°: You can simply turn them by hand to direct the light to wherever you need it, upwards or downwards. This way, with Almendra you can create a variety of lighting ambiances. This pendant light can be switched up, changing shape and transforming in line with the position of its diffuser petals, just like a plant in nature. This rhythmic construction of simple geometric shapes is imbued with a strong sculptural dimension. Delicate and light despite its large dimensions, this pendant light is a luminous totem, a centrepiece that will dress your interior with panache. The poetry of the object invites us to dream. Patricia Urquiola: “The name Almendra, which is Spanish for “almond”, came up during the design process. The almond is the perfect organism for embodying the union of nature and mechanics: With its protective shell, which delicately opens, it moves towards the light, driven by the energy of the fruit. The Almendra module evokes the two parts of an open almond shell, connected by a central axis from which light is diffused, thanks to the LED source, on top of a straight or curved stem, with 3, 4 or 6 lights which can be adjusted upwards or downwards.” Behind the simplicity of the object is a huge amount of work, with an abundance of technical research: The shell is very thin and the LED light is diffused evenly along the side petals, thanks to an innovative optical guiding system. Plus, the materials used have all been designed to have the smallest environmental impact possible: Aluminium is a 100% recyclable material and the modules are made with a pine oil-based polycarbonate, which is a by-product of paper production. Each part of the lamp can be dismantled for recycling or any potential repair work. The colours have also been inspired by nature: “I based my design on the colours of a tree and the sky, of flowers, branches, lilacs and seeds”. The result? A metallic green blended with blue, an innocent shade of off-white flower petals, the ochre tones of branches and shells, metallic lilacs, and an anthracite as a soft version of black. Patricia Urquiola: “We can learn some much from nature, it’s perfectly circular, and it can maintain itself. That’s the horizon of our research, and as we continue to seek out ways to express wonder, ecology, cohabitation and open-mindedness, we need to try to study nature and draw inspiration from it””.”

In detail:

Variation : Anthracite

Brand : Flos

Designer : Patricia Urquiola

Type : Pendant

Colour : Charcoal grey

Material : Painted aluminium structure, 100% recyclable – Diffuser: polycarbonate sourced from a by-product of paper production

Dimensions : L 128.6 cm – Petal diffuser: L 37.1 cm

Weight : 15.708 lb

Characteristics : Modular and adjustable pendant light: each petal diffuser rotates – Built-in LED light sources: LED 45W 4200lm 2700K CRI95 – Dimmable – 220/240 V – Can be entirely dismantled and recycled

Country of Manufacture : Italy