Upglas Lamp by Luca Nichetto for Astep Uses Recycled Murano Glass
Amy Duong — March 27, 2026 — Art & Design
References: astep.design
The Upglas lamp by Luca Nichetto for Astep is a table light made from reclaimed Murano glass, reprocessed into a new composite material. Italian designer Luca Nichetto works with glass fragments that are ground into powder, mixed with biodegradable resin, and shaped by hand before being fired at lower temperatures than traditional glassmaking. The result is a solid form with a marbled surface, where colours from the original glass remain visible within the material.
The lamp is available in two sculptural shapes and multiple dual-tone colour combinations, each producing a different pattern due to the material process. A stainless steel internal structure supports the body, while the diffuser and base are formed from the same upcycled glass compound. Each piece varies slightly in surface and colour distribution, with the production method creating unique finishes across the collection.
Image Credit: Astep
The lamp is available in two sculptural shapes and multiple dual-tone colour combinations, each producing a different pattern due to the material process. A stainless steel internal structure supports the body, while the diffuser and base are formed from the same upcycled glass compound. Each piece varies slightly in surface and colour distribution, with the production method creating unique finishes across the collection.
Image Credit: Astep
Trend Themes
-
Upcycled Material Aesthetics — Blending visible remnants of reclaimed materials into finished surfaces creates premium-tactile products that communicate circularity through distinctive, one-of-a-kind patterns.
-
Biodegradable Composite Formulation — New resin-and-powder composites permitting structural integrity while reducing reliance on virgin glass point to material systems that balance performance with end-of-life environmental benefits.
-
Low-temperature Glass Processing — Lower-heat firing approaches enable energy savings and compatibility with mixed-material assemblies, opening possibilities for more versatile fabrication workflows.
Industry Implications
-
Lighting and Homeware — Designs that fuse artisanal recycled-glass bodies with concealed metal supports can redefine premium home lighting through unique visual textures and sustainable narratives.
-
Luxury Design and Decor — Products offering handcrafted variation and visible material provenance can attract high-end consumers seeking differentiated, environmentally conscious luxury pieces.
-
Sustainable Manufacturing — Processes that convert industrial glass waste into durable composite components suggest scalable circular-production models for multiple product categories.
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
