Argentine designer Santiago Orionte presents two new lighting collections, Aura and Balance, at the 2025 edition of Salone Satellite in Milan. Developed under his design studio MÍNIMO, the collections explore the relationship between light, form, and material through a contemporary lens, with attention to sustainability and craftsmanship.

Material-Led Lighting Design
Both collections are rooted in the designer’s continued interest in how materiality shapes atmosphere. With over a decade of experience in lighting, Orionte’s work focuses on creating spatial experiences through carefully considered structures and finishes.

Aura: Textile-Filtered Light
The Aura collection uses a fabric shade mounted on a chrome wireframe structure. The fabric element filters light from two linear LED modules (2500K), suspended within the frame via tension cables. A chrome steel dimmer switch enables control over the light intensity. While the specific textile composition is not specified, the shade plays a central role in modulating the quality of light, offering a soft diffusion suitable for calm interior settings.

Balance: Recycled Paper and Soft Illumination
The Balance collection employs recycled cellulose and cotton pulp paper as its primary material. This biobased material gently diffuses light, creating a warm and intimate ambiance. The use of recycled pulp highlights an interest in circular design and low-impact production, aligning with principles of sustainable material use in contemporary interiors. The collection also introduces a sculptural form that departs from conventional lighting typologies, while maintaining functionality and adaptability across different environments.

MÍNIMO: Exploring Form and Identity
Founded by Orionte in 2013, MÍNIMO is an Argentine design studio focused on lighting and material experimentation. Its work integrates traditional craftsmanship with new technologies and morphological innovation. The studio’s approach is defined by a search for national design identity and expressive, materially driven narratives.

Salone Satellite 2025: Redefining Craftsmanship
Salone Satellite, a platform within the Salone del Mobile dedicated to emerging designers, adopts the theme “Nuovo Artigianato: Un Mondo Nuovo” (“New Craftsmanship: A New World”) for its 2025 edition. This year’s focus is on how traditional craft is evolving through the integration of technological processes, sustainable practices, and contemporary design thinking.

In this context, Orionte’s collections exemplify how lighting design can serve as a medium for exploring new material applications, especially where recycled and fabric-based materials are used to shape both functional and emotional aspects of interior spaces.

Source: Santiago Orionte press release
Photos: Santiago Orionte