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Embarking on a new inter-
pretation of the Dome is a
challenge. How and when
was the need to develop the
Domita born?
Joana:
Domes were so big because they were
designed for spaces with large dimen-
sions. We knew that sooner or later we
would need a smaller lamp that could
adapt to other kinds of applications.
As an architect who works
with large buildings and as
a designer who knows the
possibilities of light in small
spaces like no other; how
have these two worlds been
found in a common project?
Benedetta:
The good thing about our common
friendship is that things have been
coming out naturally.
Joana is able to identify those objects
that are almost by chance in our studio.
Models that are designed to be buil-
dings in which she sees the possibility of
becoming precious lamps to illuminate
the spaces that we create.
How does that spirituality
and eternity of the Dome,
which is directly related
to its size, coexist with the
Domita?
Joana:
The natural wood transmits a noticea-
ble identity to the product, however,
it is the play of light and shadow that
gives the Dome more character and we
knew that we did not want to lose the
richness of its nuances.
The Domita use the same language as
the Dome. That was the basic premise.
To work with a lighter object which
offers us the same identity.
The Domita table lamp
Benedetta:
Both of us love the Domita table lamp.
It is a lamp that you want to take with
you. In fact, this version interprets well
our way of living, which is not totally
formal.
Handmade lamp, natural
materials
Joana:
It is a handmade fixture. All the pieces
have been sewn by hand. The process is
exactly the same as in the Dome.
In addition, the Domita table version
integrates a small tribute to the carpen-
ters and craftsmen who work with their
hands. The handle on the top is the tool
that carpenters have used all their lives
to drill holes in wood or soft surfaces. It
is an element that invites you to take it
and carry it away.
"Domita interprets
well our way
of living"
You are great friends and
both so creative, how is the
creation process together?
Joana:
It’s magic. What Bene knows best are
large buildings, Parliaments, churches,
pavilions, markets or skyscrapers and
on the other hand, I do tiny things.
Everything that I do I see and, almost
without realizing, transform in my
head. It’s not an effort because you see
it and you feel it.
When I’m in her studio and I see the
models, I imagine what would happen
if I illuminate them. It’s inevitable
because they make such good models!
It is very easy for me to imagine the
finished lamp.
Benedetta:
Joana’s knowledge is very important.
When we are in the studio, we can play
at interpreting and experimenting with
models. But it is Joana who unders-
tands the market well, knows what
kind of lamps already exist and what
can we offer. She puts the imagination
into a field that we do not know speci-
fically, our advantage is that we share
the same way of seeing and feeling the
objects that surround us.
