Russo Betak Wins SaloneSatellite First Prize with Nippon Lamp

Copenhagen-based studio Russo Betak won the SaloneSatellite first prize during Salone del Mobile 2026 for their Nippon lamp, part of the Ark collection. The studio, founded by Stefannia Russo and Søren Betak, combines bioengineering with handmade techniques, using biomaterials sourced from waste—specifically seashells discarded by restaurants. The Nippon lamp features 3D flat-printed sheets that are hand-sculpted before cooling, resulting in a paper-like, self-structural form that filters light. The jury, chaired by Paola Antonelli of MoMA, praised the project for its research bridging design and bioengineering, calling it "an intuition ahead of the market." The Ark collection includes three lighting designs (Snegl, Nippon, Shell) in two sizes, with natural pigmentation from oyster, mussel, and scallop shells. The studio developed a custom horizontal 3D printer to process waste materials. Russo Betak's method emphasizes collaboration with time, as the material remains malleable until it cools, creating an interplay between motion and stillness.