71
Caboche
Gregg
Binic
Plass
Buds
Nile
Filo
Madre
Gioia
Chiaroscura
Foscarini
Chap. 2 — The defi nition of an identity
Caboche /2005-2021 — design P. Urquiola with E. Gerotto
About shedding light
The idea behind this lamp stems from
the observation of a pearl bracelet: the
diffuser is in fact composed of a repetition
of a single transparent sphere that
generates a volume (caboche in French
means noggin or head, but it also alludes
to the cabochon cut of gemstones and
therefore to jewellery) that is lightweight
and ‘vitreous’ and capable of diffusing light
with spectacular effects.
The fi rst prototype involved the use of
glass spheres placed on a brass structure,
with a round light source, but the result did
not generate the imagined light suggestion
as it had the disadvantage of leaving the
points where the spheres were connected
to the structure visibly exposed. After a
few tries, the design process was defi ned
and the decision was made: in order to
achieve full transparency of the object, not
only the spheres but also the supporting
material had to be transparent, hence the
choice of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
Modular plastic arches therefore form
the inner structure, and these are attached
to spherical transparent elements
designed to increase the diffusion of light
which, from the inside, penetrates the
spaces between the transparent elements
and is simultaneously diffused by each
sphere, just like in luminous crystals.
With the advent of electronics, the lamp
has been adapted to the use of LEDs with a
new double-sided light assembly, for more
intense lighting.
In 2021 the new Caboche Plus version
made the lamp even simpler and more
powerful from a lighting technology
perspective: the spheres are secured to
the new zig-zag arches via a ‘twist lock’
attachment system for simpler assembly,
while retaining the effect of total
transparency and diffusing the light
without interference. After fi fteen years,
this further simplifi cation effort lends
even more immateriality and light weight
to the family of lamps, which also includes
the suspension, table, wall, ceiling and
fl oor variants.
Eliana Gerotto and Patricia Urquiola
71
Opposite, the fi rst prototype of Caboche still
with the metal frame and glass spheres.
Production subsequently switched to PMMA for
both spheres and frame, in order to enhance the
transparency of the light body. Above, the
bracelet which inspired the concept.
