Light design for 70 years
Our values, our identity
Technological, modular lamps. Dynamic lamps. Essentiality of forms. Material or process research. Passionate and tenacious experimentation.
These are the values that have always set Martinelli Luce apart. Values that continue to guide our design philosophy. Those are the foundations created by the company's visionary creator, Elio Martinelli.
The inspiration, nature and geometry
Elio Martinelli's design mark has been passed down to the present day, owing to his intuitive sense of aesthetics and the allure of the Italian countryside.
The company loves the beauty of nature and the purity of geometric shapes in its design process. Profiles that imply harmony on the one hand and balance on the other.
This blend of natural and geometric components contained inside the physiognomy of a Martinelli Luce lamp provides an aesthetic language that is as refined as it is captivating, capable of arousing the beholder's imagination and emotions.
A welcoming and comforting soothing visual adn tactile experience.
Martinelli Luce, the beginning
Martinelli Luce was founded in the 1950s, but its history actually began even earlier.
In the 1940s, Plinio, Elio Martinelli’s father, the company's founder, had an electrical equipment shop in Lucca, but Elio had embarked on studies in set design: his sights were already set elsewhere.
Following Plinio's untimely death, Elio had to choose between taking over the shop and continuing his career as a set designer.
Meanwhile, he began working as an interior designer and cultivated a design vision that made form, function, and light key components. For this reason, he decided pursue his on his path as a “designer”.
Located in the basement beneath the shop in Lucca's old center, the "laboratory," as Elio called it, developed into a true hive of creativity.
It was there, driven by a clear vision and a desire for creative independence, that he began designing lamps, developing his own aesthetic: geometric, essential forms inspired by nature and functionality.
The company then moved from the workshop to new premises outside the city, gradually becoming into a hub for technical experimentation, where it adopted innovative materials such as methacrylate and tested new manufacturing methods.
This is another feature that strongly distinguishes Martinelli Luce, in addition to its ability to maintain its decorative and architectural identity intact over time.
Many inspirations and ideas result in a product line that is distinguished by high functional performance, simple yet evocative shapes and innovative use of materials.
It was precisely these features that attracted the attention of architect Giò Ponti, who persuaded Elio Martinelli to take part in Eurodomus in 1966, marking Martinelli Luce's formal debut in the Italian design world.
Today, more than 70 years after it was founded, Martinelli Luce is led by Emiliana Martinelli and her son Marco and still pursuing its original vision: combining simplicity, rigour and creativity to design lighting.
A journey driven by passion and intuition, which has benefited from collaborations with both established and emerging designers over time, turning a small family business into a globally recognized brand for its contribution to contemporary design.
Our lamps are born from an idea, a design, an inspiration and a function
"Marchio Storico"
We are acknowledged as a historical Italian company as of 2023. Being listed in the Special Register of Historical Trademarks of National Interest is a commendable accomplishment. A little over 550 Italian trademarks are included in the Register, which was created by the Ministry of Economic Development with the goal of preserving and enhancing the production excellence that has historically been associated with the region and has been in operation for at least fifty years (data updated to 9 May 2023, source: Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, Uibm).
It's an honor that shows the relevance and how much the market believes in us. Having worked in the Italian design industry for more than 70 years, why not...we deserve a share of the credit for maintaining our presence. This is because we have remained true to our identity, philosophy, expertise, and the Made in Italy promoted throughout the world while staying firmly anchored in Tuscany, our country of origin.
This mark of excellence ensures that the customer is buying a genuine, high-quality product while also safeguarding us as a company.
Technology
Always linked to the technology and innovation of a product, a material or a process, we keep alive the pioneering spirit of Elio Martinelli.
How can we tell about these seventy years of history?
We can do so also through our products; with their lines, their personality, their light, they are a heritage not only of seven decades that have succeeded one another, but also of a design style that was able to remain sensitive to rigor and to a clear vision of the world of design, not lending itself to fads and to sales logics.
Martinelli Luce, the showrooms
Timeline
Martinelli Luce and his designers
Each designer we have collaborated with has interpreted light in a unique way and has designed timeless, functional lamps for us, while remaining true to the brand's distinguishing canons, several of which have won significant international prizes.
Here are some of the many names: Gae Aulenti, Sergio Asti, Richard Neutra, Studio Orlandini, Marc Sadler, Luc Ramael, Studio Lucchi & Biserni, Angelo Micheli.
Awards
For a brand to be considered one of those who have contributed to design history, a number of factors must be present. The first is a distinct and unmistakable stylistic trait, the kind of style that impresses people and drives them to museums all over the world. The second is the number of awards received from authoritative international organisations.
Products such as the Cobra lamp (Elio Martinelli), the Ruspa and Pipistrello lamp (Gae Aulenti) are featured in museums of worldwide interest, including the MoMa in New York and the Triennale in Milan.
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IF Design Award
2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025(14) -
Good Design Award
2017(1) -
RedDot Design Award
2011(1) -
Compasso d'Oro
2011, 2016, 2025(3) -
ADI Design Index
2003, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2020, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023(9) -
German Design Award
2012, 2014(2) -
ArchiProducts Design Award
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025(6) -
Stylepark
2022(1) -
Young and Design
2011, 2013(2)
Quality, environment and safety at work. These are the areas covered by the Integrated Management System (IMS) we have adopted, a combination of ISO certifications to improve company performance in these areas.
Adopting such a system is not an obligation, but a choice. We choose to improve by aligning ourselves with internationally recognised standards.
Since 2008 we have been UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 certified(Quality System Management) certified for the Design and Production of lighting equipment.
Since 2022 we have been UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 certified (Environmental Management System) to limit the environmental impact related to the design and production of lighting equipment.
Since 2025, we have been UNI\PDR 125 certified (Gender Equality) to promote inclusivity and diversity in all its forms.