Atelier001 on Crafting Light and Legacy: The Beauty of Handcrafted Luxury
people • MAKERS
Founded by illumination artist and designer Eva Menz, Atelier001 was born from a devotion to craftsmanship and quiet luxury. Today, the London-based studio has become synonymous with handcrafted lighting and collectible design that transcends trend. Each piece reflects a dialogue between artisan and material, where brass, glass, and patina are elevated into sculptural forms that feel timeless, soulful, and distinct.
Guided by a philosophy of accessible exclusivity, Atelier001 creates work that is both refined and rooted in human touch. In this exclusive Designeers interview, Eva Menz shares the studio’s journey, its evolving collections, and how authenticity, imperfection, and craftsmanship continue to define its identity in the world of luxury interiors.
Words: designeers
OCTOBER 2025
WEBSITE: atelier001.com
INSTAGRAM: @atelier001
DESIGNEERS
Atelier001 began with the ambition to make handcrafted lighting accessible. How do you walk the line between exclusivity and inclusivity in design?
Atelier001
Our pieces naturally sit within a certain price category, reflecting the time, skill, and care invested by our artisans. We’re deeply committed to honouring these processes; every light is handcrafted using authentic materials and finishes designed to age beautifully and last a lifetime.
We would never compromise on quality or fairness, as true luxury design is built on integrity. Each piece is conceived as an investment object, something to be cherished and passed down, rather than replaced. While this may mean choosing more consciously or acquiring fewer pieces, we believe there’s great value in that kind of intentional living.
That said, inclusivity in design goes beyond price, it’s about accessibility of ideas, education, and appreciation of craftsmanship, and that’s a conversation we’re always eager to expand.
DESIGNEERS
Your Cosmic Collection centres on spun brass discs with rich patinas. How do you approach texture, variation, and imperfection in design?
Atelier001
At Atelier001, we embrace imperfection. We celebrate the fact that each piece is handcrafted by an individual artisan, bearing subtle variations that reflect their unique touch. These differences, a brush mark, a tonal shift in the patina, give each object its own character and sense of soul.
While we always strive for the highest standard of craftsmanship, we also value honesty in material expression. No two brass lights are identical, and that’s what makes them special, each one is a limited edition in its own right. For clients ordering sets, we ensure pieces are made together so they harmonise beautifully while still carrying their own individuality.
We want every owner to feel proud of these maker’s marks, which remind us that true luxury lies in the human touch.
DESIGNEERS
What’s the first design object you ever fell in love with?
Atelier001
I used to ride horses, and the first big purchase I made with my own money was a beautiful handmade dressage saddle. I’m not sure it counts as a design object, but at sixteen, it was everything I wanted, I obsessed over every detail and stitch. It taught me early on to appreciate craftsmanship and the emotional connection we form with well-made things.
DESIGNEERS
As you expand into furniture and accessories, how do you translate your lighting aesthetics into new materials and scales?
Atelier001
Our process is always guided by collaboration with our makers. Their tools, skills, and intuition often shape what’s possible. For me, creating feels like discovering; the design already exists somewhere, and we bring it to life together. It’s a dialogue between craft and chance, and I’m as curious as anyone to see where it leads next.
“While we always strive for the highest standard of craftsmanship, we also value honesty in material expression. No two brass lights are identical, and that’s what makes them special.”
Atelier001
DESIGNEERS
Which city most reflects your aesthetic: Paris, Milan, London, or somewhere unexpected?
Atelier001
If I had to choose, it would be Milan, the city’s layered architecture, stone façades, and attention to detail deeply resonate with me. Yet my truest inspiration often comes from nature, places with open water, calm horizons, and a sense of visual stillness.
DESIGNEERS
What’s the last exhibition, gallery, or museum that truly moved you?
Atelier001
I’m drawn to delicate yet raw ceramics, and the Pragmata Gallery in Tokyo always takes my breath away. Its curation celebrates imperfection and honesty, qualities that deeply influence how I see beauty and design.
DESIGNEERS
Which artist or designer do you dream of collaborating with one day?
Atelier001
Alexander McQueen, if only we could bring him back; his work was poetry in form. I’d love to collaborate with Hugo Toro on an interior, and I certainly wouldn’t say no to Es Devlin if she’d let me create a suspended piece within one of her stage designs.
DESIGNEERS
If you could sum up Atelier001 in three words, what would they be?
Atelier001
Authentic, timeless, and quietly luxurious.
DESIGNEERS
Which piece from your collection would you want to be remembered for?
Atelier001
Our Ore XL chandelier and pendant, with its one-metre silhouette and sculptural presence, feels truly iconic. It’s fast becoming a modern classic, and I’m thrilled each time I see it come to life in new spaces.
