MAI
Iconic shape in a modern glow.
MAI is an exploration of one of the defining lighting elements of modern architecture: linear light. What began as a functional solution developed, in the hands of visionary architects and designers, an aesthetic power of its own: a structuring element that gives rhythm to spaces and emphasises proportions. MAI, designed in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron, draws on this tradition and translates it into a luminaire that meets the highest standards of materials, craftsmanship and light quality.
Technical precision and design consistency go hand in hand: uniform, powerful light in a form that defines the space. Calm, enduring and uncompromising.
A classic reimagined.
The T8 fluorescent tube was a functional object: ubiquitous, practical, never intended to last forever. MAI takes this archetype as the starting point for a new design exploration. Developed in close collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron, the luminaire is shaped by a shared commitment to precision and enduring expression.
The result is not a quotation, but an interpretation in its own right. With a length of 1.5 metres, MAI takes the characteristic linearity of its predecessor and translates it into a precise, contemporary form. Carefully selected materials and meticulously considered transitions allow MAI to complement a wide variety of spaces – not through adaptation, but through the strength of a clear, confident form.
The aesthetics of efficiency
MAI appears understated, but it is anything but. Behind its reduced form lies lighting technology developed to a level rarely seen in a product of such simplicity. With 5000 lumens at just 40 watts, MAI combines high light output with efficient operation.
The diffuser is at the heart of the design: it transforms the individual LED light points into a perfectly uniform, pleasantly glare-reduced light with a UGR of 19.5. The colour temperature of 3500 kelvin creates a balanced atmosphere between inviting warmth and clear brightness. The housing, optics and thermal management work seamlessly together, without any of this complexity being visible from the outside.
Minimal design, maximum design freedom
MAI offers versatile mounting options and can be positioned precisely within the space. Whether mounted directly on the ceiling, elegantly suspended or used as a clear linear element on the wall: each version creates its own atmosphere and opens up new design possibilities.
Ceiling mounting – reduced and integrated
Suspended mounting – floating and present
Wall mounting – architecturally and precisely
Reduced to the essentials
Using less material is not a limitation for MAI, but a deliberate choice. The consistent reduction to the essentials reduces resource consumption and the environmental footprint – without compromising on quality or impact. What remains is the essence. Executed to the highest standard.
A warm glow
Even lighting for modern spaces
Are you interested in MAI?