Lualdi’s competitive edge is a mastery of advanced milling techniques
The iconic Italian door designer embraces cutting-edge production methods and a commitment to utilising sustainably sourced wood.
Kieron is a freelance writer and Digital Consultant who doesn't consider himself a design lover but a user of design - which to him is more than enough.
Linkedin“Doors are serious business” explains architect Piero Lissoni on the importance of designing bespoke products for Italian brand Lualdi. “A mysterious object that takes us from one dimension to another, from one environment to another. It is not simply a hole in the wall: the door is an element full of meaning, a true entity in itself that composes and curates the space.”
Since 2010, Lissoni has been the Art Director of the family-run business founded in 1859 by Carlo Lualdi which began as an artisan joinery. Over five generations the company has undergone a transformative journey, a significant turning point being in the 1960s when it transitioned to industrial production and embarked on a close collaboration with renowned architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni.
Towards sustainable futures: environmental consciousness
Product innovation is an elemental part of the company’s approach, particularly when it comes to sustainability. Founded on values such as quality, research, and ‘Made in Italy,’ the company adeptly meets the complex needs of clients with highly technological solutions and bespoke designs, selecting low-environmental-impact raw materials and manufacturing processes.
Lualdi is committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing of materials, selecting only the finest wood from sustainable forests and ensuring that its doors not only look beautiful but also contribute to environmental conservation efforts. This led it to becoming an FSC®-certified company in 2010. Since 2014, it has also participated in HORIZON 2020, the European program promoting research and development of innovative, sustainable products that contribute to energy performance certification for buildings, bringing four LEED certification credits to projects.
The art of precision: advanced milling techniques
Milling involves shaping and cutting wood to precise specifications, and Lualdi is known for its precision and skill in this area. Whether it’s creating intricate designs, sleek modern profiles, or classic styles, the brand’s techniques ensure that each door meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
“Multiple veneer layers are meticulously assembled according to the chosen wood finishes for the final layout,” the brand explains. “Each piece is then milled with various decorative patterns, revealing the first and deepest layer. This meticulous process is made possible by combining advanced industrial techniques with artisanal craftsmanship, resulting in extraordinary attention to detail and refinement.”
These techniques are evident in the exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail displayed in its collaborative efforts to develop new products. Whether it’s for residential, commercial, or architectural projects, Lualdi doors are known for their quality, elegance, and timeless appeal.
During Milan Design Week 2024, Lualdi debuted Linea and Quadra, additions to its Chocolat collection designed by architect Piero Lissoni. In addition to their usual uses as coverings for doors, systems, or wainscoting in different areas of the house, these finishes can also enhance otherwise more anonymous spaces, like entrances or corridors. Both transform wood surfaces with geometric patterns achieved through milling techniques showcasing its expertise in woodworking.
“Our perpetual objective is to nurture the relationship with architects and designers who stimulate the search for new solutions,” says the brand. “Over the next five years, our goals are to reinforce the retail chain by building more trusted and closer relationships with our international partners, cover the entire supply chain for different product categories, and follow a path of more sustainable practices.”
It’s not just about cutting wood—it’s about harnessing the full potential of this versatile material to create doors that are as beautiful as they are functional. From precision craftsmanship to innovative design solutions, their expertise is evident in every aspect of their products, making them a preferred choice for architects and designers.
Collaborative endeavours: a strategic evolution
This brings us back to the importance of collaboration, which harkens back to Lualdi’s partnership with Luigi Caccia Dominioni. One of the notable contributions here was the introduction of LCD (a lacquer-coated polyester door), which revolutionised the process marking the switch to industrial production. As well as technical advancements, the collaboration brought a fresh perspective that infused the company’s products with architectural sophistication.
It forms the foundations of the brand’s showroom strategy, a crucial part of the brand’s expansion over the years. In the 1980s, a pivotal project for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London catalysed the brand’s expansion into the UK market. From that moment, the ascent was unstoppable.
In the 1990s, it was a partnership with leading European architectural firms and particularly Carl Magnusson, the principal designer for Knoll, that marked its entry into the United States. Today, the company is a cornerstone in Italian design and furniture around the world, working with renowned architects like Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, Philippe Starck and Antonio Citterio .
Today, it offers a diverse range of seven product lines, including swing doors, sliding systems, sliding doors, pivot doors, Rasomuro, hinged doors, wall partitions, and boiserie. These different product lines are available in various finishes, utilising a range of distinctive materials including premium woods.
Lualdi also offers options in tempered glass, aluminium, and leather, combining advanced industrial production processes with customised tailoring of products and materials, working closely with architects to drive constant evolution. Meanwhile, Lualdi’s internal R&D and partnerships have led to the development of distinctive, innovative designs reflecting contemporary interior trends, such as rounded edges, joint-free surfaces, full reversibility, and telescopic frames for easy installation.
Lualdi’s vision for global expansion
With an annual production that continues to grow, Lualdi maintains a focus on precision and quality, ensuring every step is executed to perfection.
“The long tradition and astonishing creative and technological experimentation have led us to collaborate with some of the most influential contemporary architects over the years, working on highly evolved systems that redefine the concept of walls.”
As well as building on this, one of the company’s primary corporate goals in the coming years is to achieve worldwide distribution. Currently, the company boasts mono-brand and property showrooms in key cities such as Milan, London, Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Notably, the London and Los Angeles showrooms were inaugurated in 2023, with plans underway to open a Dubai showroom in 2025.
“Through flexibility, integrated approaches, collaboration, and multicultural sensitivity, we continue to pioneer innovative and sustainable design solutions, transcending cultural boundaries and shaping timeless architectural icons.”
Global reach and reputation stem from its commitment to custom creations and personalised services, forming a widespread international distribution network marked by strategic retail expansion and a commitment to collaboration. Echoing this ethos, Lualdi emphasises the significance of doors as more than mere partitions but as integral components of architectural storytelling and space management.
