Glo by Penta: Carlo Colombo’s vision of weightless light
Designed by Carlo Colombo—one of Italy’s most influential architects and designers—Glo embodies the meeting point between technical precision and poetic intent. Created for Penta, the lamp draws inspiration from the ephemeral beauty of a soap bubble rising through the air, its delicate sphere of glass and metal turning light into an atmospheric gesture suspended between materiality and reflection.
A leading figure on the international design scene, Colombo is known for a practice that balances rigor with sensual, finely honed forms. With Glo, he conceives light as a dynamic presence capable of shaping and animating space. Its dual-diffuser system—an inner satin-finished core and an outer shell in clear, iridescent, or metallic borosilicate glass—creates a calibrated harmony of transparency, depth, and luminosity.
In its suspension form, Glo becomes a study in enchantment. Spheres of varying sizes and hues align in rhythmic compositions, each interacting with the next. Gold, silver, blue, violet, transparent: every finish refracts light differently, casting a constellation of reflections that envelops the interior with sculptural elegance.
The wall-mounted version reveals a more understated side of the collection. Here, Glo acts as a refined architectural detail, a quiet glow that accentuates corridors, night areas, or contemporary living spaces. Its soft, shimmering light warms the atmosphere while guiding the eye across the room.
As a floor lamp, Glo introduces a more sculptural dimension. Resting on a slender, minimal structure, the luminous spheres rise like contemporary totems, defining corners or anchoring a living area with ease. Whether placed beside an armchair or used as a focal point, it radiates a presence that is both characterful and effortlessly refined.
The table lamp version brings the concept to a more intimate scale. Designed for consoles, desks, or bedside settings, it feels like a small piece of luminous architecture. Its reflected glow creates a serene, enveloping atmosphere—the perfect companion for quiet evenings or focused work. Every detail, from the hand-blown borosilicate glass to the polished metal accents, speaks to a seamless dialogue between form and function.
As a ceiling or wall-mounted fixture, Glo reinterprets overhead lighting with surprising lightness. The spheres appear to float, diffusing an even, ambient radiance ideal for contemporary or minimalist interiors where lighting becomes part of the architectural rhythm rather than an interruption.
The Maxi version heightens the drama. With generous proportions and sophisticated finishes, it becomes a striking centrepiece for expansive residential settings or refined contract environments. It is a statement of modern elegance—an interplay of art and engineering that commands attention with surprising grace.
Behind Glo lies Penta’s philosophy: a vision rooted in the harmony of craftsmanship and innovation. The meticulous attention to materials, the hand-blown borosilicate glass, and the precision of every component reveal a design language in which Italian tradition evolves toward the future, transforming light into a sensory experience.
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