30 years with the Foscarini Havana by Jozeph Forakis

In a dynamic and constantly evolving environment such as that of design, some creations can defy the ravages of time and become iconic symbols of innovation and creativity. Havana by Jozeph Forakis is one of them and celebrates its 30th anniversary today.

An iconic luminaire that has found its way into living spaces and the collective imagination, becoming a new archetype among luminaires. Designed in 1993, the Havana established itself as a new lighting object: a half-height luminaire, almost a new type of luminaire, with an impressive and eye-catching diffuser shape that emits light from the centre. A familiar figure, a ‘Gestalt’ with which you build up a personal relationship, which can be easily integrated into any environment to characterise it with its warm light.

The development process from idea to product took place carefully and step by step. The first prototypes, made of glass and fibreglass, were heavy and expensive and had the disadvantage of allowing very little light to penetrate, which meant that the lightness and irony originally inherent in the concept was lost. In a revolutionary step, it was decided to replace the glass with plastic, which was an important moment for Foscarini. A decision that played a decisive role in making Foscarini the company it is today. A company that always chooses to put design at the centre, without setting limits and without compromising in order to fully develop each project. Jozeph Forakis recalls:

‘Havana was Foscarini’s first luminaire made of plastic. It was a bit of a risk, but Foscarini was very brave and decided in favour of this absolute novelty’.

The success of the Foscarini Havana was not without its challenges. Although it was initially viewed with scepticism by some dealers, it quickly became a design archetype. Its inclusion in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York in 1995 was an important step and confirmed its importance in the history of design.

In the 30 years of its existence, Havana has been presented in different colour and functional variations, including an outdoor version, without losing its characteristic shape and its extraordinary ability to evoke an emotional response with its warm and familiar presence.