Cover photo: Bianca by Dainelli Studio for Contardi
Modular lamps offer unmatched versatility. From oversized, statement-making installations in contract spaces to adaptable lighting setups for homes, these systems respond to ever-changing needs. Many allow flexible installation options and the freedom to redesign the shape over time.
From minimal to sculptural: designs worth watching
Modular lighting is fast becoming a defining trend. Some designs are ultra-decorative—like Frakki by Venini or Asteria by Foscarini—while others favour a minimalist approach, like Luceplan’s Dansì. And with Nocturne, Grcic brings a new decorative twist to the electrified track. Here’s our shortlist of the most striking modular models to know.
Foscarini, Asteria
Designed by Alberto and Francesco Meda, this Foscarini chandelier «recalls the allure of the traditional chandelier while diverging from it entirely in spirit», the designers explain. The V-section aluminum arms integrate cutting-edge LED sources, eliminating visible wiring and resulting in dynamic, clean lines. Each arm functions as both a structural and lighting element, radiating from a central vertical cylinder. Six arms form a level; up to three staggered levels can be stacked to create a layered, radial light effect.
Luceplan, Dansì
This modular wall lamp by Alessandro Zambelli for Luceplan seems to dip in and out of the wall. Composed of four cast aluminum components, it can be freely arranged on any surface. The light source always points toward the wall, creating a soft, even glow.
«By day, geometric shapes emerge with crisp volume; by night, they transform, emitting a surreal glow», the designer notes.
Flos, Nocturne
Konstantin Grcic’s new release for Flos brings modular elegance to the forefront. «Nocturne marks an evolution from our 2019 Noctambule series», he explains. «While similar in its use of blown glass and advanced LED technology, the new design embraces a more technical, modular approach to lighting». It contrasts the ethereal quality of glass with the industrial aesthetic of the track structure, and comes with cone-shaped diffusers for directional light or hemispherical ones for a diffused effect.
Fabbian, Posillipo
Posillipo is a lighting system that plays a visual trick: the electric cables appear identical to the horizontal spacers. This creates a seamless grid that allows for compositions in any direction, with no size limitations or interruptions.
Contardi, Bianca
An extension of Dainelli Studio’s collection for Contardi, this helical suspension version is made up of wire-free connected modules. Each lighting unit contains two printed circuits that, once aligned, conduct the electricity needed to power the lamp. The tubular light sources act as low-voltage bulbs (24V) and connect through direct contact.
Venini, Frakki
For the historic Murano glassmaker Venini, Michele De Lucchi has created a modular chandelier made of glass shingles. Each element is pressed in a fracco mold (hence the name), featuring a diamond-patterned 3D texture. The configuration possibilities are virtually endless—from luminous walls to dramatic suspensions (ideal for monumental staircases or hotel lobbies), and even floor or table lamps.
Pòta!, Catellani & Smith
Glass, brass, and delicate LED filaments define this decorative modular lighting element by Catellani & Smith.
In the wall-mounted version, slender brass rods intersect to form a dynamic geometry; in the plug-in driver version, it can be installed individually or combined with multiple modules to create striking lighting installations.
