Brutalist lighting is defined by its raw, sculptural forms and the beauty of materials in their natural state. Concrete, metal, and stone are elevated from functional elements to statement pieces that define modern interiors.
Explore our Brutalist lighting collection to see these striking designs in action.
Lighting that Celebrates Texture and Tone
One brand that captures the spirit of bold, sculptural lighting with a fresh, artistic edge is Crete Studio. Crafted by hand in the Northern Rivers using a variety of moulds and techniques, each piece has its own distinct personality, celebrating natural variations in tone and texture. The result is lighting that is visually unique, tonally and texturally rich, and full of character, depth, and creativity.
To learn more about the inspiration, process, and vision behind these distinctive designs, we connected with Sarah, one of Crete Studio’s founders.
1. Can you tell us about the moment (or story) when you decided to found Crete Studio? How do your personal histories, backgrounds, or places you’ve lived influence your design aesthetic?
Originally from New Zealand, we purchased the business over there with the intention of continuing on the previous owners legacy of making concrete benchtops and basins.
(Nicolas) Being an electrician by trade, noticed a lack of diverse options for concrete lighting. We had a ‘lightbulb’ moment and just got stuck straight into creating concrete lights. We see a real niche in the market for unique, textured, organic and coloured concrete lighting.
We wanted to bring warmth and artistry to a material that is often seen as industrial.
I (Sarah) have always been obsessed with interiors. I’ve been collecting interior magazines since my mid 20’s and tearing out anything that draws my attention, so now I have a big folder full of styling and colour ideas.
2. Why did you choose concrete as your signature medium, and what challenges or delights does it bring?
In its raw state, concrete sparks endless creativity. We have reimagined this material into a refined expression of interior style amidst a concrete lighting market mostly saturated in grey. We’re all about the joy our products bring, turning everyday spaces into a work of illuminated concrete art. Crete Studio offers a vibrant palette of unique, textured, and organically coloured concrete lighting, alongside custom interior projects to elevate any space.
3. Of all the pieces you’ve made, is there one that surprised you (in outcome, difficulty, beauty)?
Our customers LOVE texture, the more the better. We poured a Dorea wall light in moss which we thought had far too much texture. We posted it on social media and the feedback was amazing!
Making a concrete light is not for the faint hearted. Most customers come to us with an idea and assume that it will be quick and easy to create, however there are multiple processes and prototyping stages to undertake to make our lights. To bring a design to life we must first create a tangible master template, from that a silicone mould is poured to host the raw concrete mix as it is a thick shake consistency when poured.
Then the most difficult part is finding suitable fittings for the actual light and figuring out how to fit it onto the concrete.
4. How do you experiment with colour, texture, and form? Do mood or emotion guide your decisions?
We look at trends a little, but to be honest for our first range we just created colours that appeal to us. Our colour choices are influenced by earthy tones from the Northern Rivers landscapes.
5. What are some common misconceptions about designing with concrete lighting?
The most common misconception about our concrete lighting is that they will be heavy. People are surprised when they pick up a wall light as they expect them to weigh a lot. We use glass fibres in our concrete mix which allows us to pour a thinner concrete consistency.
One more misconception is that concrete lighting is ‘grey’, we use natural iron oxide powders in our concrete mix which creates the most beautiful range of colours. By breaking away from the grey, industrial stereotype, we create pieces that are both sculptural and functional - where concrete meets colour, texture and timeless design.
6. What is a failure or setback in your journey, and what did it teach you?
Most probably the biggest lesson learnt has been not to rush anything. Making handcrafted lighting is a long process and attention to detail is most important. When we first started making concrete lighting we got far too excited to create everything all at once. We are now learning to take a step back, get a feel for that the customers want and evolve the brand at a slower pace moving forward to create refined, timeless concrete lighting that will stand the test of trends.
7. How do you see Crete Studio evolving in the next 5 years? Any new directions or materials you’re excited about?
We are a husband-and-wife team with two young children, so creating that balance in our business is everything. We are still in the very early stages of Crete Studio so are just really enjoying the joy our lights are bringing to people and their spaces.
We want to push the boundaries of concrete lighting further, right from the materials used and design methods. Concrete lighting is often stereotyped as grey, masculine and industrial, but we aim to change that perception!
We also want to create more custom lighting designs for architects/interior designers or just anyone who wants to turn a lighting dream into reality.
Pushing Boundaries in Design
Crete Studio continues to push the boundaries of concrete lighting, combining innovation and artistry to create pieces that surprise and delight. Their designs transform interiors into memorable spaces, proving that concrete can be both functional and captivating. With a focus on evolving their craft and exploring new possibilities, Sarah and Nicolas are shaping a bold, contemporary vision for the future of lighting.
