Patricia Urquiola

Patricia Urquiola: the designer who changed the language of contemporary product design

Patricia Urquiola is a defining name in 21st-century design. The Spanish architect and industrial designer combines the emotional quality of craft, material research and industrial production in one design philosophy. Patricia Urquiola's work appears in private interiors, hotels, museums and public spaces. Collaborations with leading Italian brands have made Patricia Urquiola one of the most influential contemporary designers.

Biography

Patricia Urquiola was born in Oviedo, Spain, in 1961. Patricia Urquiola began studying architecture in Madrid. Patricia Urquiola later studied at the Polytechnic University of Milan under the guidance of the legendary Achille Castiglioni.

Achille Castiglioni taught Patricia Urquiola to see design as a search for new ways for people to interact with space, rather than as the creation of attractive objects. Patricia Urquiola later worked with Vico Magistretti. Patricia Urquiola then led the design group at Lissoni Associati.

Patricia Urquiola opened her own studio in Milan in 2001. The studio now brings together architects, product designers, textile specialists, art specialists and material researchers.

Design philosophy

Patricia Urquiola's design philosophy connects opposing qualities:

technology and craft;
industrial production and handwork;
emotional expression and engineering precision;
tradition and experimentation.

Every Patricia Urquiola object begins with the needs of people. Patricia Urquiola has repeatedly stated that design matters only when design improves quality of life, makes spaces more human and creates an emotional response. Patricia Urquiola's projects give particular attention to sustainable development, recycled materials and the potential for products to be reused.

Patricia Urquiola's collaboration with Flos

Patricia Urquiola's partnership with Flos is considered one of the most successful collaborations in contemporary lighting design.

Patricia Urquiola says that working with Flos was a dream during her studies with Achille Castiglioni, whose name is closely linked to the brand's history. Patricia Urquiola values Flos for its engineering courage, willingness to experiment and ability to turn complex ideas into serially produced products.

Tatou (2012)

Tatou is one of the brand's most recognisable collections.

The name comes from the French word tatou, meaning armadillo. The shade consists of a complex perforated shell that resembles the animal's protective armour.

Tatou collection features:

soft light diffusion;
expressive shadow patterns;
a combination of decorative character and function;
table, pendant and floor lamp versions.

Tatou offers a contemporary interpretation of the classic decorative lamp. Tatou quickly became one of Flos's iconic models.

Flauta (2019)

Flauta is a collection of architectural outdoor lamps inspired by organ pipes and musical flutes.

Flauta features:

a cylindrical aluminium body;
several surface texture options;
modularity;
precise adjustment of the light beam.

Flauta reflects Patricia Urquiola's characteristic approach, turning an engineered product into an architectural object.

Almendra (2022)

Almendra is one of Flos's most technologically advanced developments of recent years.

Almendra project features:

a modular construction;
the ability to change the direction of each lighting element;
no adhesive connections;
full product disassembly;
the use of bio-based polycarbonate;
alignment with current principles of sustainable design.

The almond tree inspired Almendra. Each lighting module resembles an opened almond, while the complete composition looks like a living branch.

Why Patricia Urquiola's collaboration with Flos matters

Patricia Urquiola brought a new emotional design language to Flos.

Many historic Flos models centre on engineering minimalism. Patricia Urquiola's projects add:

biomorphic forms;
tactile materials;
associations with nature;
modularity;
sustainable design;
expressive plasticity of light.

Every Patricia Urquiola product also retains the high engineering standard associated with Flos since the company's foundation.

Patricia Urquiola in contemporary interiors

Patricia Urquiola's work rarely functions as decoration alone. Patricia Urquiola's designs shape the atmosphere of a space.

Flos lamps created by Patricia Urquiola are especially suited to:

premium residential interiors;
boutique hotels;
fine-dining restaurants;
public spaces;
contemporary art galleries.

Designers and private clients value the lamps for creating soft, layered light. The lighting also highlights the architecture of a room and gives the space emotional warmth.