Fabbian Illuminazione has realized the ambitious The Wing project, a glass and light sculpture designed by the famous firm of architects, Norman Foster + Partners of London and positioned inside the Hong Kong airport, as symbol of the Cathay Pacific airline’s VIP lounge.
China turned to the excellence of Italian creativity to produce a towering work: an ultra-clear glass lamp 6 metres long and 3.2 metres high, weighing about 8 and a half tons. In seeking a supplier to complete this project, the Chinese chose the Italian company Fabbian for its reliability, quality, but above all its manufacturing skills and ability to give shape to the architect’s idea while at the same time complying with Chinese airport regulations, among the most stringent in the world.
«We have not only manufactured a lamp…but a design object»
The Wing lamp is made up of 20 ultra-clear glass blades standing 3.2 metres high. Each is shaped differently from the other, according to the design of Foster + Partners, and is decorated with engravings which, lit up by LED sources hidden in the base, produce a breathtaking effect.
The lamp weighs 8500 kg: this is a huge load concentrated on an airport floor of limited strength and able to withstand a limited weight. A base had to be designed able to support a heavy weight, to contain the lighting devices, which was easy to transport and service, and which was also beautiful to look at.
The Wing is a concentrate of totally made-in-Italy lighting technology. The technological base, which supports a huge weight of 8500 kg and contains the LEDs, is completely concealed flush with the floor. The floor of the VIP lounge in black Carrara marble contrasts with the purity of the crystals lit up by a system of LEDs which create a spectacular reflection effect.

Arch. Foster + Partners
Ph. Alberto Parise
2012