Modular and Maarten De Ceulaer: a play of geometry and colour bringing light and shadow to life with a poetic, modern impulse, in every colour Known for his minimalist yet poetic approach to light, Belgian designer Maarten De Ceulaer brings his distinctive vision to Modular Lighting Instruments with the Impulse collection — now fully customizable. Each wall fixture in the line can be finished in any colour, allowing architects and designers to adapt it to any interior concept. Impulse Collection, design Marteen De Ceulaer for Modular Impulse explores the very essence of light, creating a captivating dialogue of brightness and shadow reminiscent of 17th-century Flemish paintings. Composed of abstract round or square volumes, these wall lamps completely transform when illuminated. From small sculptural objects on the wall, they come alive with light, projecting a warm and poetic play of shadows. “I noticed how an LED strip created multiple shadows of my hand on the wall,” recalls De Ceulaer. “I immediately knew I wanted to design a lighting object that expressed this phenomenon.” Impulse Collection, design Marteen De Ceulaer for Modular The minimalist design of the fixtures keeps the focus purely on the light effects. “I wanted the shape of the lamp to be as minimal as possible,” says the designer. “All the attention had to be on the play of light and shadow — without distractions.” The result is a functional yet artistic collection that blends seamlessly into diverse interior settings. Impulse Collection, design Marteen De Ceulaer for Modular The Impulse collection deals with the very essence of illumination. Contemporary yet timeless, these wall lights are abstract volumes with pure geometric shapes that transform completely as soon as they are turned on. They softly illuminate a space while casting a beautiful gradient of shadows on the wall, which creates a sense of depth that is mesmerising. These poetic pieces are more than just lamps; they induce a profound and unique experience of light. Impulse Collection, design Marteen De Ceulaer for Modular Recently named Designer of the Year by Knack/Le Vif Weekend, De Ceulaer once again confirms his creative vision and his impact on the design world. The award celebrates his ongoing ability to surprise and inspire, as well as his multidimensional approach to creation. To mark this recognition, Maarten curated three exclusive RAL finishes: RAL 6019 Matt (white green), RAL 3012 Struc (beige red), and RAL 6004 Glossy (blue green). Impulse Collection, design Marteen De Ceulaer for Modular His personal selection adds a refined touch that makes each space unique. The green tones recall his very first collection, A Pile of Suitcases, created in collaboration with Nilufar. The Impulse collection includes both Impulse Square and Impulse Round, each with its own distinct character and lighting effect. With this new update, Modular reinforces its vision of customizable lighting design, combining its expertise with De Ceulaer’s creativity to offer a collection that blends innovation with expressiveness — giving architects and designers even more freedom to explore and create. About Maarten De Ceulaer Maarten De Ceulaer (born 1983) began his studies at Sint-Lukas University College of Art and Design in Brussels. Drawn to conceptual design, he continued his education at the Design Academy Eindhoven. His passion for travel inspired A Pile of Suitcases, his graduation project, which immediately caught the attention of Nina Yashar, founder of the renowned Milanese gallery Nilufar, who invited him to develop a collection around this theme. Maarten is known for the evocative, poetic, and playful character he brings to his objects. Through his work, he tells stories, evokes emotions, sparks imagination, and invites daydreaming. He constantly explores new materials, production methods, and crafts. For him, the emotional dimension of an object is just as important as its function, and he has an acute eye for detail. Materials are often used in unconventional ways, resulting in works that always surprise. Maarten has received numerous awards, including the Belgian Young Designer Award (2007) and the Henry Van De Velde Award for Young Talent (2013). He collaborates with top galleries such as Nilufar, Victor Hunt, and Galerie du Passage, and with brands like Cc-Tapis, Modular, Budri, and Fendi. His creations have entered private and museum collections and have been exhibited in museums, festivals, biennales, and fairs worldwide.
