Bruno Gecchelin

Bruno Gecchelin was born in 1939 in Milan, Italy. He studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano,
where he developed a strong interest in industrial design and the relationship between technology, function and form.

In 1962, Gecchelin began his professional career at Olivetti, working under Ettore Sottsass. This early experience placed him at the heart of Italy’s most progressive design culture, where experimentation with new technologies and production methods played a central role.

From the late 1960s onwards, Gecchelin worked across a wide range of disciplines, including office and electronic equipment, furniture, accessories, decorative objects and lighting. In 1968 he started designing lighting for Oluce, for whom he created several important models such as the Domea, Perla, Arianna, Dogale and the influential Wing series.

In 1976, Bruno Gecchelin opened his own studio, specialising in product and industrial design. His work is characterised by a rational, technical approach, often combining minimal forms with advanced materials and precise mechanical solutions.

Gecchelin received several major design awards during his career, including the Lampada d’Oro in 1980 and multiple Compasso d’Oro awards (1989 and 1991), confirming his importance within Italian industrial design. Over the years, he collaborated with numerous Italian and international companies, including Antonangeli, Arteluce, Busnelli, Fratelli Guzzini, Harvey Guzzini, iGuzzini, Frau, Fiat, Indesit, Magneti Marelli, Reggiani, Riello, Skipper, Venini, Ycami and others.

Oluce – O-Luce

The Italian lighting company Oluce was founded in 1945 by Giuseppe Ostuni. It is widely regarded as the oldest Italian design company in the lighting sector still in operation today. From the very beginning, Oluce positioned itself at the intersection of industrial innovation, architectural thinking and high-quality craftsmanship.

During the post-war years, Oluce played a key role in shaping modern Italian lighting design. The company became known for its willingness to experiment with new materials, advanced production techniques and progressive forms, often anticipating broader developments in modern and contemporary design.

One of the defining moments in the history of Oluce was its long-standing collaboration with Joe Colombo, whose radical and futuristic designs perfectly matched the company’s experimental spirit. Iconic models such as the Spider lamp (1965), which won the Compasso d’Oro in 1967, and the Coupé lamp (1967), later designed by Joe Colombo and refined by Alberto Meda, became international design classics and remain in production to this day.

Another crucial figure in Oluce’s history is Vico Magistretti, whose work for the company resulted in some of its most enduring and recognisable designs. Lamps such as the Atollo (1977), awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1979, have become timeless icons of Italian design and are today part of the permanent collections of major international museums.

Over the decades, Oluce collaborated with an impressive roster of renowned designers and architects. Among them are Angelo Ostuni, Achille, Livio and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Franco Buzzi, Joe and Gianni Colombo, Marco Zanuso, Tito Agnoli, Angeletti & Ruzza, Antonia Astori & Nicola De Ponti, Bruno Gecchelin, Stefano Casciani, Francesco Rota, Victor Vasilev, Ferdi Giardini and many others.

Oluce has received numerous international design awards over the years, including several Compasso d’Oro awards, confirming its central role in the history of Italian and international lighting design.

Throughout its history, Oluce has consistently balanced innovation with continuity, maintaining a strong connection to its design heritage while continuing to work with contemporary designers. This approach has ensured the lasting relevance of the brand within the international design landscape.

For a complete overview of the company’s current collections and official history, see the Oluce website.