The opinions of the architect and designer Carlo Colombo collected by Giulio Cappellini in the direct Instagram of ‘Icone Talks’, the periodic appointment in which the art director of Icone discusses issues related to lighting and design with some of the most important architects of the panorama international.

Decorative or architectural lighting? It depends on the quality of the project and the type.

On the one hand, there are sculptural elements that are also part of the history of design, wonderful pieces such as those designed by Achille Castiglioni and Vico Magistretti, which represent icons of Italian design.

On the other hand, I also work in situations and projects where there are completely different needs.

You design tables, furniture, accessories, and materials of all kinds. Is there a material or a production technique you prefer?

I am very attached to natural materials, I certainly prefer wood and stone because they belong a little to my history.

I was born in Brianza, the home of furniture, with my father’s company behind me who worked, and still work, in the field of wood prototypes. So I have always been attached to this material.

With some companies I then experimented with stone and the beauty of marble. It can be a seemingly hard material, but at the same time it can be shaped and made with these very velvety finishes. I have this table in front of my office, which no longer looks like stone, no longer looks like marble, but velvet, with these wonderful veins.

Natural materials are part of our history as men, they belong to us by culture, by visual and tactile ability.

Carlo Colombo, architect and designer.

Follow Icone Talks on the Instagram channel @icone.luce.