RETROCORE: A Modular System Inspired by Space Age Lighting
WOLOLOW: RETROCORE is a modular wall and ceiling lighting system, drawing from the visual language of Space Age design and retro-futurist interiors. Conceived as a system rather than a standalone fixture, it is composed of individual light panels that can be arranged into custom configurations ranging from small accent installations to larger architectural compositions.
The project evolved from WOLOLOW’s first crowdfunding campaign, which introduced a sculptural lamp inspired by mid-century visions of the future. The experience of developing, manufacturing, and distributing that product informed the design and production strategy behind RETROCORE. Rather than creating another singular lighting object, designers Arthur Koshatahyan and Kostya Trunov shifted their focus toward a modular system capable of repetition, expansion, and integration within interior architecture.
all images courtesy of Arthur Koshatahyan and Kostya Trunov
RETROCORE features two panel variations, MONO and QUATRO
At the core of RETROCORE are two panel variations: MONO, featuring a single light aperture, and QUATRO, incorporating four apertures within the same format. Both modules measure 400 × 400 mm (15.7 × 15.7 inches), allowing them to be combined into a variety of wall and ceiling arrangements. The standardized dimensions support flexible compositions while maintaining visual consistency across different scales of installation.
The panels are designed with a screw-fixed base and a magnetic front cover. This construction simplifies installation while allowing the visible surface to be attached or removed independently from the mounting structure. The system is compatible with replaceable GU10 bulbs, including both standard and smart lighting options, enabling different lighting scenarios depending on the requirements of the space. RETROCORE is available in white and four ready-made color finishes. The white version can be repainted after installation, allowing the lighting elements to blend into surrounding surfaces or align with specific interior palettes.
’For us, RETROCORE is the next step in the WOLOLOW story: a new way to bring Space Age design into modern interiors, not only as a lamp, but as a modular building block of light,’ share designers Arthur Koshatahyan and Kostya Trunov.
the design draws from retro-futurist interiors and mid-century visions of the future
lighting becomes a compositional element rather than a standalone object
RETROCORE reinterprets Space Age lighting as a modular architectural system
individual light panels can be arranged across walls and ceilings
modular repetition creates graphic patterns of light and shadow
rounded forms reference the optimistic aesthetics of the Space Age era
the system adapts to both residential and commercial interiors
modular components transform lighting into an architectural feature
RETROCORE functions as a repeatable building block of light
standardized dimensions allow flexible configurations at multiple scales
MONO panel variation features a single illuminated aperture within a square module
QUATRO panel variation introduces four light apertures within the same format
circular openings contrast with the geometry of the square panel
project info:
name: RETROCORE
designers: Arthur Koshatahyan, Kostya Trunov
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom