A Light Rooted in Southeast Asia

By Editorial Staff - 2 May 2025
QU has participated in the project

In Vietnam, it is known as nón lá, in Japan sugegasa and in China and Taiwan dou lì. Every country in East Asia has given it a name and over time this conical straw hat has become a cultural icon across Southeast Asia – a symbol of tradition, of work in the rice fields and of protection from sun and rain. Legend holds it was a gift from the gods. It was this deeply rooted hat – bridging times, places and traditions – that inspired Aldo Parisotto, co-founder of Parisotto + Formenton Architetti, to re-imagine its essential lines in a form both pure and timeless. The result is Duolì, a lamp with an essential, evocative design made by QU.

Originally developed within the framework of the lighting project for the Capitolo Riviera hotel in Nervi outside Genoa, Duolì soon became an increasingly versatile presence in a wide range of interiors – from hospitality and office spaces to homes. The key has been its refined esthetic and light silhouette. Like a reed gently bending in the breeze, its slender stem supports a delicate lightshade that casts soft, concentrated light.

Luci d’Oriente © Pietro Savorelli Associati, courtesy QU

In early 2025, the line expanded beyond the original table and clamp-mounted versions with new additions: Duolì Wall, a wall-mounted fixture available in several variations with either integrated or remote power supply; and Duolì Reading, a floor-standing version designed specifically for reading.

Milan Design Week 2025 marked the debut of two outdoor models: Duolì Maxi and Duolì Paletto. The former, with a thin 3-m cantilever arm, can be placed among foliage, subtly blending into the landscape. The latter was created for installation along walkways.

This next step in the collection makes the company’s mission clear: to offer a single family of lighting elements that go beyond décor and design, ensuring esthetic consistency and continuity of design, wherever they are used.