out the potential of new technolo-
gies.” For him is important to
remain independent throughout the
process. Having others waiting for
his ideas to be implemented would
thwart his workflow, which is why
he is constantly picking up new
technologies as and when necessary.
He says heˇs just learnt how to
weld: this allows him to put new
thoughts and ideas to the test
straight away using corresponding
materials in his workshop next
door. Selecting the material is a
sensual process. “It must be clear
and pure, not encumbered with
lies.” When he was a student, he
stripped away all the concealing
coats of paint on things, an approach
that remains basically unchanged
to this day. Design, machinery,
architecture, mathematical sculptu-
res: Niewiadomski has many
interests and tackles many themes.
For example, the Professor for
Constructive Design created a mo-
dern collection of building hardware
for TECNOLINE. An intensive
development process with Charlotta
Schnepel that put a key focus on
material and technology. “The com-
plicated production process is the
main challenge”, says Niewiadomski,
and you can still hear his passionate
delight in the tricky task.
But light has always played a parti-
cular role in his work. “Good light
is extremely important for our
well-being. Itˇs a little miracle, every
time.” Thatˇs almost poetic. Well
maybe. Or maybe not. Actually, itˇs
all about being objective and
functional. But of course, his designs
address a certain target group.
“Even functional design can speak
an emotional language.” Emotional
or functional, in the end itˇs about
concentration and attention, about
intellectual freedom. “I donˇt have
to keep reinventing the shape. We
know the shape from basic geo-
metry. My aim is to give the shape
intelligent details to help develop
its identity.” Just as the BULO XL is
a deconstructed sphere, the MLON
is more than just a little luminous
square shape with a coloured cable.
Or stitching the power lead for
the FLAD desk lamp to use all the
design possibilities: “Here the
cable is used as a design detail to
cultivate the product identity.”
17
Oliver Niewiadomski designed
the pendant light BULO HLON 11
for TECNOLUMEN in 2010.
The purist table lamp SQUARE
MLON sheds a warm white
dimmable LED light while acting
as an attractive eye-catcher.
It is an impressive illustration of
the Bauhaus era with its stylish
functionality − something that
TECNOLUMEN also stands for.
