The creation of the right atmosphere cannot be separated from a punctual and studied use of lighting, in the home but above all in public places. Architect Michele Vitaloni, head of Charmitaliastudio with the co-founder, surveyor Nicola Silicanio, knows this well. With Silicanio, we explored the project at Maitó, one of the most interesting companies in Versilia, and talked about how to illuminate a restaurant at the seaside.
Maitó lighting project: from the client’s request to its realization
What is the story of Maitó and how did the project come about? What were the client's requests and how did you respond to their wishes?
«Maitó is a historic venue in Versilia that opened in the 60s. Since opening it has positioned itself at a high level, thanks to the important clientele who began to frequent it, especially during the holiday months. Maitó has always presented itself as a traditional place; it is a sort of "hut by the sea", open for lunch and dinner. Between 2017 and 2018 it was purchased by the new property, which also combined the two venues and adjacent seaside establishments with the original restaurant to create a truly large location, approximately equal to three normal bathing establishments. My studio and I have been involved since 2021, initially for the renovation of the service areas and the creation of a champagne room, then we took care of the restyling of the restaurant. The client very simply asked us to create a unique environment, insisting only on respecting the status of the location and suggesting that we focus on a concept that combines history, modernity, and design, notions that are always the basis of my modus operandi. The venue allowed us to approach the work with great tranquility. We divided the outdoor space into two areas: a central lounge for aperitifs and after-dinner drinks and two side rooms. We immediately thought of a space in close dialogue with nature, visually connected to the sea but also inserted in a green and luxuriant landscape, created ad hoc. The tables are positioned among the greenery, where the lighting fixtures are also "hidden" to help create the right atmosphere; the lightweight materials used by Karman for the products I chose allowed me to insert them easily between the foliage and to suspend them in mid-air to communicate an idea of general lightness, letting them sway».
Kimono
Indoor and outdoor lighting of the seaside restaurant: the choice of lamps
How did the collaboration with Karman come about and how was the lighting at Maitó resolved?
«The necessary premise is that I have been collaborating with Karman for several years and I know the brand's catalog quite well. I believe it is a company capable of combining aesthetic research with the high quality of their products. In my opinion, above all as regards the outdoors, the lamps have different moods, so designers can find what they are looking for. For Maitó, Karman was the icing on the cake, because I chose proposals in line with the relaxed mood I was looking for and was able to integrate them with the greenery; I find this peculiarity is well enhanced by the shooting visible on the site and in the catalogs. I am convinced that every project must immediately integrate the lighting; the lighting fixtures should be evaluated with the furnishings, especially in the case of the decorative ones that I tend to use as "functional pieces". There must be a good balance between the materials, the shapes, everything must be in the right place. I always try to work on lighting systems that vary through dimming, color changes, and home automation control systems so that the scenarios are constantly evolving to create emotions and the right atmosphere».
Don't Touch
Which lamps were chosen from the Karman catalog?
«For the restaurant area we have chosen a mix of chandeliers all designed by Matteo Ugolini – Kimono, Moby Dick, Black Out, Plancton – suspended freely from the wooden structure of the hut. In a restaurant overlooking the sea, like Maitó, it doesn't make much sense, in my opinion, to set up fixed light points at the tables; you want to be able to move them around for parties or group reservations, but also if you want to redesign the space for a special event. Among the plants I inserted the floor lamps Nilo, created to be among the greenery, and on the paths, the floor lamps Don't Touch».
Aprile
Some pieces were custom made in light blue, why this choice?
«For Maitó we have restricted the palette of materials and nuances to teak wood, white and blue. In particular, we identified an NCS blue (color classification system Ed.), which we used inside the restaurant, in the details of the exterior but also in the bathrooms of the establishment and in the textile accessories. Therefore, it felt almost natural to ask Karman to customize some of the most characterizing lamps, such as the zoomorphic ones like Aprile, Ti . Vedo and Cubano, trying to give them a different character, more marine and perhaps even more sympathetic, through the use of the color blue. The ceiling lights R.O.M.A., also painted, were positioned in the entrance area, a way to declare the obsessive attention to detail right from the start».
The Maitó project is still in progress...
"Exactly! In May 2023 the new swimming pool area will be inaugurated, a 300 square meter body of water – one of the largest pools built on the beach – all lit up with Karman products. Great attention will be paid to comfort and well-being, with a deck equipped with deck chairs that transform into tables so guests can have lunch or an aperitif without moving, and there will also be a Spa complete with a sauna and Turkish bath.
Moby Dick
How to illuminate a club at the seaside. Some best practices
Lighting, which is very important in restaurants and bars, takes on a fundamental role in the case of seaside venues. What are the best practices to follow?
«I was born and grew professionally in Versilia, although now with my studio I follow projects throughout Italy and Europe. In marine areas the outdoors is very important; the outdoors has always been considered a natural continuation of the indoors, whether public or private. On the contrary, considering that these environments are mainly frequented in the summer season, taking advantage of these open spaces is essential. For lighting, everything starts from the choice of suitable products, with IP certifications (water resistant Ed.) in line with their use. In my opinion, there are no good practices and there is no advice that is always valid on what to point out with light or how to do it. I'm used to following my instincts and acting on the basis of the location. Flexibility must be the watchword for restaurants at the seaside or establishments linked to seaside venues, places which must be easily rearranged and which must function for different evenings, from quieter ones to festive ones, perhaps with concerts or dj sets. Better that the light points are not too binding».
