Q&A: Maison & Objet Designer of the Year January 2020
Michael Anastassiades talks about his work in lighting and furniture design, as well as changes in technology
Designer Michael Anastassiades has collaborated with some of the biggest brands in home furnishings and accessories, including Flos, B&B Italia, Herman Miller, Cassina and Bang & Olufsen. For the latter, he designed a speaker that looks like a work of art. He’s now been named Designer of the Year for the January 2020 edition of the Maison & Objet trade fair, held in Paris.
Anastassiades founded his creative studio in 1994 and his eponymous brand in 2007. He completed his undergraduate studies in civil engineering at Imperial College London and received his master’s degree in industrial design from the Royal College of Art.
Always fascinated with light, Anastassiades explores space with sculptural pieces constructed from timeless geometric lines and creates new forms of lighting with a poetic touch. For him, a light fixture must interact with its environment and engage in a dialogue with its user. His installation at the January fair presented his gravity-defying Mobile chandelier collection.
We chatted with him about his passion for light and the evolution of his designs.
Anastassiades founded his creative studio in 1994 and his eponymous brand in 2007. He completed his undergraduate studies in civil engineering at Imperial College London and received his master’s degree in industrial design from the Royal College of Art.
Always fascinated with light, Anastassiades explores space with sculptural pieces constructed from timeless geometric lines and creates new forms of lighting with a poetic touch. For him, a light fixture must interact with its environment and engage in a dialogue with its user. His installation at the January fair presented his gravity-defying Mobile chandelier collection.
We chatted with him about his passion for light and the evolution of his designs.
Beosound Edge, Bang & Olufsen. Photo from Bang & Olufsen
This apparent simplicity promotes curiosity and interaction. The Beosound Edge speaker, created for Bang & Olufsen, has a simple form that hides all the technological elements. As you get closer to it, sensors cause a series of LEDs to light up.
This apparent simplicity promotes curiosity and interaction. The Beosound Edge speaker, created for Bang & Olufsen, has a simple form that hides all the technological elements. As you get closer to it, sensors cause a series of LEDs to light up.
Double Sconce 150. Photo from Michael Anastassiades
Where does your passion for light come from?
I have always been attracted to light fixtures. This passion was realized when I decided to focus my research on lighting. The positive feedback I received encouraged me to pursue this and launch my own brand.
Where does your passion for light come from?
I have always been attracted to light fixtures. This passion was realized when I decided to focus my research on lighting. The positive feedback I received encouraged me to pursue this and launch my own brand.
A small electronic device embedded in the Message Cups base can record a voice message. Turning the cup upside down stores the message; turning it right side up again plays it. Photo from Michael Anastassiades.
Tell us about the first thing you created.
I designed it in 1993, after graduation. Message Cups was an experimental project: a dictaphone for communicating in a domestic environment. This product stands out. It is, in a way, the expression of my ideas in their purest form.
Tell us about the first thing you created.
I designed it in 1993, after graduation. Message Cups was an experimental project: a dictaphone for communicating in a domestic environment. This product stands out. It is, in a way, the expression of my ideas in their purest form.
Fontana Amorosa. Photo by Francesco Nazardo
How has your work evolved?
My approach to design has always been based on basic shapes and simple three-dimensional forms. The key step in my journey was the creation of my brand in 2007. I had already worked as a designer for many years and wanted to evolve differently, to create, develop and produce things without limits or compromises.
How has your work evolved?
My approach to design has always been based on basic shapes and simple three-dimensional forms. The key step in my journey was the creation of my brand in 2007. I had already worked as a designer for many years and wanted to evolve differently, to create, develop and produce things without limits or compromises.
Mobile chandelier collection. Photo by Osma Harvilahti
Tell us about your Maison & Objet installation.
I wanted to offer a real experience around light. This installation showcases a family of products that I have been developing for 10 years, the Mobile chandeliers collection. For the first time, the 16 lights will be brought together to present the evolution of my language, philosophy and approach to design. In the future, the collection will continue to evolve through this same language.
Tell us about your Maison & Objet installation.
I wanted to offer a real experience around light. This installation showcases a family of products that I have been developing for 10 years, the Mobile chandeliers collection. For the first time, the 16 lights will be brought together to present the evolution of my language, philosophy and approach to design. In the future, the collection will continue to evolve through this same language.
Herman Miller, Double Dream of Spring Exhibition. Photo by Ben Anders
New technology — the emergence of LEDs and the end of filament bulbs — has revolutionized lighting. With LEDs, light has long been limited to cool white. Fortunately, technology has evolved, but there is still a long way to go in order for us to look at lighting in a new way.
New technology — the emergence of LEDs and the end of filament bulbs — has revolutionized lighting. With LEDs, light has long been limited to cool white. Fortunately, technology has evolved, but there is still a long way to go in order for us to look at lighting in a new way.
Tube chandelier. Photo by Hélène Binet
How do you think the role of lighting has evolved in our interiors?
While the technology has evolved considerably, the role has remained much the same. On the other hand, our sensibility and the rituals around lighting have changed. As designers, we must reintegrate and reinvent these rituals to re-create a poetic experience.
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How do you think the role of lighting has evolved in our interiors?
While the technology has evolved considerably, the role has remained much the same. On the other hand, our sensibility and the rituals around lighting have changed. As designers, we must reintegrate and reinvent these rituals to re-create a poetic experience.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
How would you describe your style?
My approach to design is minimalist. I think you can communicate a lot more by distilling an idea into the simplest possible form. It is always a real challenge to try to reduce the amount of visual information, to purify by removing any superfluous elements to retain only the essence of the object.