Spain in the 1950s, much like Italy 10 years earlier, had an outdated economy based on traditional teachings, protectionism and insufficient growth prospects. They lacked a vision for the future. There was little industrial development and Spain's design industry was based on historical and regional influences and old-fashioned materials. Modern design and architecture was struggling.
Despite this historical context, Miguel Mila was inspired to create a design of lasting relevance and modernity. Unlike many mid century design icons, the TMM Floor Lamp was praised from its very inception, and has since become an icon as one of the first products to be industrially designed in Spain.
ln 1956 Mila's maternal aunt Nuria Sagnier, commissioned a light from him. The resulting lamp, named TN, was an early precursor of the TMM Lamp and vaguely resembled it in form. lt lacked elegance, however, because of its pronounced mechanism for adjusting the height of the lamp. Moreover, Mila replaced the cold, awkward metal of the TN with walnut for the TMM.
The TMM -Tramo Movil Madera- was born in 1962 as one element for a competition to design a complete interior using low cost furniture. Differently from the TN the TMM had an entire wooden structure that supported an adjustable light with the integrated cord light switch; a characteristic of Mila's designs since 1960.
While the do-it-yourself packaging was not new in world design at that time, it was still novel in Spain. The timelessness of the TMM resides in its modesty of form and use of natural, warm materials, which together possess a serenity that allows them to coexist across space and time. It is a signature piece reflecting Mila's own insistence that he is 'a pre-industrial designer', a designer who willingly embraces the history and skills of traditional craftsmen and insists on a rigour that sees no discord between the modem and the Sensual.
Despite this historical context, Miguel Mila was inspired to create a design of lasting relevance and modernity. Unlike many mid century design icons, the TMM Floor Lamp was praised from its very inception, and has since become an icon as one of the first products to be industrially designed in Spain.
ln 1956 Mila's maternal aunt Nuria Sagnier, commissioned a light from him. The resulting lamp, named TN, was an early precursor of the TMM Lamp and vaguely resembled it in form. lt lacked elegance, however, because of its pronounced mechanism for adjusting the height of the lamp. Moreover, Mila replaced the cold, awkward metal of the TN with walnut for the TMM.
The TMM -Tramo Movil Madera- was born in 1962 as one element for a competition to design a complete interior using low cost furniture. Differently from the TN the TMM had an entire wooden structure that supported an adjustable light with the integrated cord light switch; a characteristic of Mila's designs since 1960.
While the do-it-yourself packaging was not new in world design at that time, it was still novel in Spain. The timelessness of the TMM resides in its modesty of form and use of natural, warm materials, which together possess a serenity that allows them to coexist across space and time. It is a signature piece reflecting Mila's own insistence that he is 'a pre-industrial designer', a designer who willingly embraces the history and skills of traditional craftsmen and insists on a rigour that sees no discord between the modem and the Sensual.
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The TMM floor lamp is an icon of mid century Spanish design. If you want to discover mid-century modern design, see and read more about it check the Mid Century Modern Blog!
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