Lee Broom's Recycled-Glass Beacon Illuminates Milan's Piazza San Babila During Design Week 2026

During Design Week 2026, Lee Broom's impressive lighting installation, Beacon, will transform Milan's Piazza San Babila into a public artwork crafted from recycled glass. This installation showcases illuminated glass lampposts arranged in a chandelier-like formation, featuring a vibrant lighting sequence that pulses every fifteen minutes and peaks hourly. Collaborating with Czech glass producer Brokis and material experts Materials Assemble, Broom employs a unique fusing technology to repurpose discarded glass into radiant shades. After its debut from 20–26 April 2026, Beacon will head to the Czech Republic for Designblok before being dismantled and converted into limited-edition table lamps. This project marks Broom's commitment to inclusive public art, engaging with Milan's urban landscape and historic design district. Positioned centrally near the Duomo, it invites both casual visitors and design experts to experience light on a civic scale. The installation’s modular height reflects the rationalist architecture of the piazza, merging functional design with a sense of permanence. Proceeds from the lamp sales will benefit charitable initiatives, enhancing the project's social impact while ensuring material longevity.