Optical Delight

Arctic is a collection of lamps developed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Artemide. The lamps reflect and deconstruct reality, and are brought to life through their own light, natural light and the surrounding environment. They are formed from geometric elements that break apart and reassemble in modular compositions, playing with reflections. The final shape is an Archimedean solid without external faces, where the structure emerges from the projection of the pentagonal sides radiating from the centre.

At the piece’s core is a diffusing sphere, into which truncated pentagonal pyramids are fitted. As these align at their vertices, they reconstruct the solid form. This creates a multitude of mirrored surfaces, positioned side by side and facing each other, multiplying in perception and generating a dynamic figure that shifts with the viewpoint and its surroundings.

The heart of the lamp contains all its active components, with a heat-dissipating structure that supports a series of LED circuits, ensuring even 360° light distribution while maintaining optimal efficiency. The result is the perception of a perfectly diffused, uniform sphere.

Once fully assembled, this sphere appears visually interrupted by the reflectors yet is perceptually restored through the continuous interplay of reflected light. The final geometry follows a modular logic that balances intelligence with sustainable production efficiency. The overall shape is semi-regular – not uniform but animated by the contrast between pentagonal and triangular faces formed where elements meet. These optical components can be assembled by the end user, optimising space during transport. The diffuser surfaces can be either transparent or mirrored, interacting differently with light. In both versions, they are horizontally etched with precision-calculated incisions to control and diffuse the light.

While these details define the product’s aesthetic, they also serve an optical function, enhancing luminous efficiency through reflection and refraction. Artic is a modular mirrored volume that takes shape through the relationship between its parts, guided by principles of intelligent construction, allowing the user to play an active role in its assembly. The piece can be suspended, mounted on a ceiling, placed on a surface or integrated into a space. The lamp’s presence is always noted – when on, it spreads light evenly; when off, it reflects and interacts with its surroundings and natural light. Its structure is lightweight, and the shifting reflections make its perception fluid and dynamic.