Design by Nika Zupanc

Contemporary Italian lighting brand, Lodes, has collaborated with Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc to launch Elara, a minimal yet sculptural suspension lamp.

The name Elara connotes astronomy and Greek mythology, and its geometric design mimicks the trajectory of the planets within the universe. Inspired by astral motion, the lamp is characterised by two metal rings, one of which can be set at various angles to produce fluidity and movement, as well as a small sphere at the bottom of the lamp that contains the light source. Nika Zupanc comments: “Inspired by the sublime beauty of the mysteries of the universe, the Elara lamp takes inspiration from the vast and constantly moving space around us. Named after the eighth largest moon of Jupiter, it is here to bring magic with its simplicity, where the impression of a drawing of 2 circles and a ‘satellite’, becomes an exciting 3-dimensional lightning experience, that, due to its design and powerful and smartly engineered lighting source, forms a heart and spirit of Elara”.

The light source emits a glow that can illuminate an entire room. Additionally, users can direct the bi-emission sphere – up or down – according to the need for light. The two sources have different LED light emissions: 2100 lumens and 800 lumens for the 2700 K version or 2260 lumens and 845 lumens for the 3000 K. The lamp references space through its dynamic, geometric structure. The central ring can be positioned to reach different heights and angles, allowing users to experiment with casting light and shadows. Elara works as a stand-alone object or together with multiple lamps in one room – creating an opportunity to play with contrast and scale through different angles and finishes.

The choice of finishes is a key priority for Lodes – Elara is available in black or gold. For the black version, the canopy and sphere feature a matte black shade, whilst the rings come in a glossy black finish. Whereas the gold version offers the canopy and sphere in a matte gold, with the rings in a glossy gold. Where black suits minimal, sleek interiors, the gold serves as a statement piece, emphasising elegance and sophistication. Both styles result in a captivating decorative object, even when switched off.

Additionally, Elara can be adjusted through a dimmer control within the wall-mounted power switch, allowing users to modulate the intensity of the light to create their ideal lighting scheme. Available in two sizes, medium (ѓ 60 cm) and large (ѓ 80cm), Elara suits a range of environments, such as over a dining table in a residential setting, or as part of a larger installation in public spaces like a hotel lounge or restaurant. Highly impactful in its simplicity, Elara perfectly exemplifies Lodes’ commitment to balancing heritage with accessible and contemporary design.