Arpione Esterno
Outdoor Crystal Wall Sconces
Arpione Esterno was part of Allegri Crystal’s first introduction of outdoor crystal fixtures in Winter 2022 - a revolutionary and unexplored category for crystal manufacturers. These pieces provide art, beauty, and functionality to the outdoor areas of the home, and it was a challenge to figure out how to make them weatherproof and low maintenance. Exploration in all weather and environment durability led to the addition of new water resistant LED drivers and a special weatherproof matte black finish.
Inspiration
Arpione’s inspiration came from natural crystal formations found in gems, natural stone structures, and ice formations. I knew I wanted this fixture to be sharp, cool, and modern to make a statement as part of Allegri Crystal’s first outdoor collection of fixtures. The idea of a simple, black, waterproof box enclosed the crystal and kept it safe from the elements, exactly like a museum display case showcasing precious artifacts.
The internal structure required just as much thought and engineering as the exterior. It was important to light up all the crystals, reduce the glare of the AC LEDs, and hold the crystal spears securely at random angles for that natural, glacier-like effect. Adding honeycomb shaped louvers cut down on the glare, and using a multi-layered stainless steel box with laser cut hexagonal holes held the crystals in place.
The exterior used low iron, tempered glass for clarity and strength and a durable fluorocarbon paint commonly used on bridges and architectural exteriors (this was a new finish for both Allegri Crystal as a brand, as well as the lighting industry). A multi-layered backplate and black rubber gaskets created a sealed box to further protect the waterproof LEDs and wiring.
The resulting collection of crystal fixtures created a brand-new category for lighting - outdoor crystal - and was a perfect addition to the trend of bringing the indoors outside to create a cozy and warm backyard oasis for people to enjoy.
