Famous Designers & Icons
Arco Lamp
The Arco Lamp was designed by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962 for the Italian manufacturer Flos. Its design solves a practical problem with elegant simplicity: how to provide overhead lighting over a dining table or seating area without installing a ceiling fixture. A sweeping stainless steel arc extends from a heavy Carrara marble base, cantilevering a reflective aluminum shade over the desired area. The marble base, weighing approximately 65 kilograms, includes a hole originally designed so two people could carry it using a broomstick.
The Arco Lamp is one of the most photographed and recognized lighting designs in the world, appearing in countless films, advertisements, and design publications. Its dramatic arc creates a sense of occasion and architectural gesture in any room, while providing functional task or ambient lighting. The lamp transforms the space it occupies, defining a zone of activity—a dining area, reading corner, or conversation grouping—through the simple gesture of arching light from floor to overhead. It remains in production by Flos and continues to be a aspirational design object for interiors worldwide.
Key Characteristics
- ✓Sweeping stainless steel arc from marble base
- ✓Provides overhead light without ceiling installation
- ✓Carrara marble base weighs approximately 65 kg
- ✓Hole in base for two-person carrying with broomstick
- ✓Adjustable arc length and shade angle
- ✓Solves a practical lighting problem with sculptural elegance
Types & Variations
Original stainless steel with white Carrara marble
Arco LED version (energy-efficient update)
Various marble color options
Adjustable height configurations
Limited edition versions
Common Materials
Carrara marble baseStainless steel telescoping arcSpun aluminum reflector shadeChrome hardwareRubber base padStainless steel components
Works Well With These Styles
Placement & Usage Tips
Position the Arco Lamp so its arc extends over a dining table, sofa, or reading area. The marble base should be partially tucked behind or beside furniture to anchor it visually. Ensure the arc can swing without obstruction and the light falls on the intended activity area.
💡 Pro Tip
The Arco Lamp defines a zone of activity in open-plan spaces without walls or partitions. Use it to demarcate a dining area within a larger living space, or to create an intimate reading circle. Its dramatic gesture adds architectural character to rooms that might otherwise feel flat.