Steelight – A Moment of Light in Design
By Rosmarie Hagleitner
The ADI Design Index, the annual compendium of Italian design products and projects, was unveiled in mid-October in Milan by the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI), Italy’s leading industrial design association. This year’s edition features 344 projects, offering a comprehensive snapshot of contemporary Italian design—from residential and lighting solutions to workplace design, mobility, human-centered design, food design, sustainable and social design, and communication design. A particular focus is given to the “Targa Giovani”, which shines a spotlight on emerging designers and students. Among them is unibz student Martino Doro, with his project Steelight—a suspension lamp that harmoniously fuses steel and light.
Steelight was developed within the ATELIERprojekte under the guidance of Prof. Kuno Prey at the Faculty of Design and Art, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. The lamp combines minimalist, high-quality materials with meticulous craftsmanship and a playful approach to lighting and unites steel and light in a way that conveys both strength and delicacy. Its design evokes the shape of a spine: two curved steel profiles form the structural backbone, housing integrated LED elements that illuminate both the space above and the table below. The two light sources are independently dimmable, allowing for a range of atmospheres—from focused work lighting to soft, ambient glow.
What sets Steelight apart is its balance of strength and lightness. Japanese washi paper is stretched between the metal profiles, acting as lampshades that filter the light, reduce glare, and give the lamp an almost textile-like lightness. By experimenting with different types of papers or materials, the lamp can be customized, making it a prime example of flexible, user-centered design.
Being included in the ADI Design Index is not only a personal achievement for this young designer but also a testament to the Faculty of Design and Art as an environment where creative ideas can evolve into market-ready products. “Being recognised in the ADI design index is an honour for me and a special opportunity to remind people that young people's ideas matter and can be relevant. Designing the future will be up to us. These opportunities are motivators that encourage us to do, experiment and make mistakes”, explains Martino Doro. "I must not forget to mention the important role and influence that teachers can have, almost becoming mentors and facilitators of encounters and opportunities outside the university bubble.”
From October 16 to 30, 2025, the selected projects and products were showcased to the public at the ADI Design Museum in Milan. The exhibition will now travel to Agrigento, Italy’s 2025 Capital of Culture, from November 11 to 28. Among the works on display is Steelight—a luminous example of how a university project can blossom into an award-worthy piece of Italian design culture.
Inclusion in the ADI Design Index also opens the door for potential nomination for the ADI Compasso d’Oro Award 2026, Italy’s oldest and most prestigious design award, which will be presented in June 2026, alongside the Salone del Mobile.
Related people: Kuno Prey