By Nigel F. Maynard
Italian lighting brand Lodes introduced a modular ceiling and wall lighting system that the company says pushes the boundaries of traditional solutions. Developed in collaboration with the Berlin-based design studio Geckeler Michels, MAP strikes a balance between contemporary design aesthetic and advanced lighting performance.
MAP consists of lighting modules combined with a highly decorative tape that is stretched between the various modules it connects and powers the entire system, offering limitless design possibilities. Beyond simply directing light where desired, the tape evokes the theme of constellations to serve as any project’s defining visual element, Lodes says.
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“MAP blends simplicity with cutting-edge design, harnessing the tactility of a conductive tape in a pioneering lighting concept,” the company says. “Like tracing points and connections on a map – hence its name – the tape allows for the free arrangement of luminous points, forming unique graphic constellations for ceiling and wall applications. A distinctive aesthetic emerges from the contrast between the two elements: the lighting modules serve as fixed anchor points, while the fabric bands wrap around them with flexibility and elegance, creating a captivating interplay of tension and fluidity.”
Ideal for spaces with a single power source, MAP offers an innovative solution for ceiling and wall applications, allowing for customizable configurations that go beyond conventional track lighting or integrated LED strip systems, Lodes explains. Furthermore, thanks to its seamless adaptability to any environment, MAP caters to a diverse range of design needs, granting architects, interior designers and lighting professionals exceptional creative freedom.
“MAP enables the free arrangement of lighting points and lines on ceilings and walls from a single power source,” the company continues. “This allows the flexibility to create dynamic compositions that both practically illuminate and visually enhance any environment.”
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The system’s circular starting module houses an LED board with tunable white technology, enabling users to select the optimal color temperature for their space at the time of installation. Then the fabric tape runs through the body of each module and, starting from the primary module, distributes power throughout the system while discreetly concealing the power source. Equipped with specialized conductors, the tape is available in a reel measuring approximately 26 feet in length and 2 inches in width. It is tensioned between the various lighting points, supplying continuous power even in the absence of additional ceiling or wall power sources.
Lodes says the DALI version allows up to eight (one starting point and seven light points). However, the system is infinitely extendable: by connecting a non-conductive tape to a starting module powered by a separate circuit, the configuration can be expanded as needed, adding as many light points as necessary to effectively illuminate the space.
MAP’s versatility helps resolve potential design challenges, such as low ceilings or the lack of ceiling lighting points because it allows for the connection of a dedicated starting module to the wall. The system can be further enhanced with an indirect wall lighting application. In this configuration, the lighting module is fitted with a screen that directs and diffuses light onto the wall, creating a visual effect comparable to the ceiling-mounted version.
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“Each module, measuring approximately 5 inches in diameter and 2 inches in height, features a PMMA lens available in multiple options to accommodate varying lighting requirements, from focused directional lighting to more diffused ambient effects,” Lodes says. “Once the lens is in place, the module is magnetically sealed for a seamless finish.
The modules can be further customized with an optional accessory: the honeycomb filter, a thin mesh designed to be applied to the lens to improve lighting comfort and reduce glare.
MAP is available in three finishes: matte black, matte champagne and natural brown. The finishes are available for both the modules and the tape, providing a more cohesive and refined aesthetic.
“MAP was conceived to meet the need for a decorative electrified track, offering lighting designers unprecedented design flexibility,” says Massimiliano Tosetto, Lodes managing director. “Whether for residential spaces or commercial projects, MAP provides a bespoke solution that empowers designers to create the ideal configuration for their needs, defining the space through a distinctive visual language.”
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