Nouvel originated as a space for experimentation with glass, and from its inception, the studio has explored various materials and techniques to complement the development of its pieces.

Innovation has always been a cornerstone of their practice, and to stay at the forefront of technical advancements, the design house has invited numerous designers to collaborate closely throughout its history. Through these projects, Nouvel’s master artisans, engineers, and designers have developed mold engineering inspired by both ancestral and innovative techniques, such as sand casting, wood mold blowing, and, ultimately, volcanic rock casting

One of Nouvel’s most significant and longstanding collaborators is Héctor Esrawe. Since 2006, Esrawe has developed designs across various scales with diverse levels of innovation. In 2017, he founded the design studio EWE in Mexico City, alongside Age Salajõe and designer Manuel Bañó. EWE focuses on producing limited and unique functional objects using manual techniques and the knowledge and collaboration of master artisans.

This conceptual approach to Mexican landscapes reflects the scenes formed by the Pacific Ring of Fire, creating almost mystical and eccentric imagery. Volcanic rock, used since ancient times for crafting utilitarian objects due to its relative accessibility and abundance in certain regions of the country, serves as the foundation for this lamp.

It is at this intersection that Nouvel and EWE have found a symbiotic way to collaborate on producing Magma, a lighting installation that evokes the material it is named after. This conceptual approach to Mexican landscapes reflects the scenes formed by the Pacific Ring of Fire, creating almost mystical and eccentric imagery. Volcanic rock, used since ancient times for crafting utilitarian objects due to its relative accessibility and abundance in certain regions of the country, serves as the foundation for this lamp.

The process begins with the extraction or “stone quarrying” by local quarrymen, who seek rocks with fewer granules, or small holes, to facilitate smoother carving. The rocks are then sculpted in another workshop to create molds of various sizes, which will form the bubbles of the luminaires. Taking advantage of the rock’s porosity, Nouvel’s artisans blow incandescent glass into the molds, utilizing the material’s heat resistance and porosity to create pieces with unique imprints. This results in glass components that act as screens, absorbing and diffusing light.

At EWE, these screens are mounted on custom steel bases, ensuring a perfect fit. The base also encloses the entire lighting system within the glass dome, along with a brass surface designed to reflect light. This setup creates a warm ambiance and even an illusion of seeing fire within the lamp, thanks to the thoughtful choice of lighting that harmonizes with the glass structure.

Nouvel and EWE: A Symbiotic Collaboration

Nouvel originated as a space for experimentation with glass, and from its inception, the studio has explored various materials and techniques to complement the development of its pieces.

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