Set against the historic backdrop of the Chiostro di Santa Maria del Carmine for Milan Design Week 2026, The Factory of Light is an immersive installation by Australian architect Rodney Eggleston of March Studio that explores the intersection of human craft and luminosity through the launch of Aesop’s Aposē lamp collection.
The alchemy of illumination. Leonardo da Vinci once posited that “Light is the chaser away of darkness,” a sentiment that resonates through the cloisters of Brera this April. Moving beyond the mere utility of brightness, the installation treats light as a physical material—something to be molded, blown, and cast by the human hand. It is a sensory journey that translates the clinical precision of Aesop’s skincare philosophy into a tactile, spatial experience, filtering the chaos of the city through a lens of soft, rhythmic labor and upcycled materials.
A portrait of salvaged textures. The structure itself challenges the permanence of the built environment, utilizing scaffolding draped in salvaged trompe-l’œil tarpaulins—materials typically used to shroud Milanese landmarks during restoration. Inside, the narrative unfolds across chambers dedicated to the Aposē lamp’s production, from the rhythmic rotation of mechanical lathes in the “Hear” room to the intense heat of Venetian glass-blowing. This choreography of the workshop reminds the visitor that every object possesses a hidden biography of heat, breath, and friction, where the raw grit of a brass foundry meets the delicate transparency of a mouth-blown crown.
Atmospheric diffusion and molten materiality. The transition from the industrial to the domestic is marked by the presence of molten brass components, cast at 900°C to retain a heavy, honest texture. As the journey culminates in the “Smell” room, the metallic scents of the factory floor give way to aromatic oil burner blends, signaling the moment the lamp is first illuminated. This warm, diffused halo mirrors the effect of the new Solais Replenishing Hand Serum, a formulation designed to bring clarity and brightness to the skin through Niacinamide and Dandelion Root, blending skincare innovation with spatial poetry.
The amber wave. In the sacristy, the installation reaches a crescendo with a horizontal landscape composed of 10,826 salvaged fragrance bottles. This undulating amber sea reflects and refracts light across the historic carved-wood paneling of Santa Maria del Carmine, proving that waste can become a sophisticated medium through topographic installation. By repurposing leftover glass stocks, the project reinforces a commitment to circularity, creating a powerful chiaroscuro effect where contemporary brass plinths and frosted glass relics sit in silent conversation with the shadows of the venerable ecclesiastical setting.
The legacy of the quiet space. This experience serves as a profound reminder of the power of restraint within the digital saturation of the modern world. Eggleston and Aesop have crafted a space that demands slow movement, celebrating the “hand” through artisanal manufacturing and a sincere interest in sustainable reuse. The Factory of Light stands as a testament to the brand’s philosophy: working with what already exists to create moments of considerately lit repose, ensuring the connection between the maker, the object, and the end-user remains profoundly luminous.
The Factory of Light by Rodney Eggleston – Aesop | Where: Chiostro di Santa Maria del Carmine, Piazza del Carmine 2, Milan | When: April 21 – 26, 2026 | 10 AM – 6 PM