EMPREINTES : When Five Principles of Architecture Are Cast in Brass

A Collection Inspired by Architecture

Astrid Dieterlen, a designer who graduated from the École Boulle and the ENS Cachan, and Bruno Borrione, an interior architect who graduated from the École Boulle, met while they were both working at the Philippe Starck studio in 2013.

Since then, they have collaborated regularly on interior design projects and share the same approach to architecture and design: a bespoke solution for every project. In creating this range of decorative brass light switches, the duo of Bruno Borrione and Astrid Dieterlen sought to combine radical aesthetics with the functionality of a contemporary design object. With the Empreintes collection, this philosophy naturally extends to the light switches, allowing them to blend harmoniously into any space. Each switch becomes a true design object.

Five Architectural Series: Plane, Volume, Angle, Point, and Line

The Empreintes collection, unveiled in a preview at the 2025 edition of Euroluce during the Salone del Mobile, leaves a lasting impression with its balance between radical design and decorative appeal. Much more than mere electrical fixtures, these solid brass switches showcase a mastery of material, dimensions, and relief, drawing on the fundamental principles of architecture: Plan, Volume, Angle, Point, Ligne.

Astrid Dieterlen and Bruno Borrione drew from their rich repertoire of architectural inspirations and references:

• The work of Tadao Ando and Japanese Brutalist architecture
• The characteristic steps of Aztec and Indian architecture,
• The interplay of shadow, light, and gradients by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.

From a distance, the object appears very understated. Up close, one can see the intricate craftsmanship of the material. The perfect balance between precision and timeless design.

Plan, Volume, Angle, Point, and Line: five series, five architectural principles engraved in brass, five series of designer electrical fixtures. Noble and malleable, brass is a material that embodies high technical standards and brings the five identities of the collection to life.

A Mark on the Material

The Empreintes collection is crafted from solid brass and reflects true technical expertise. It is available in 6 finishes, all handcrafted:

• 479 – Satin Brass
• 478 – Satin Nickel
• 477 – Antique Bronze
• 474 – Gunmetal
• 472 – Matte Black
• 471 – Matte White

Finishes that are also found in MODELEC’s flagship collections: Confidence, M, Iris… and which allow every architect to have a choice when designing their project and combining materials.

The plates are paired with tone-on-tone square brass knobs, which are also integral to the identity of this collection.

Innovation at the heart of design: the 230V toggle switch

The Empreintes collection also provided MODELEC with the opportunity to develop a highly anticipated technical innovation: the 230V push-pull switch, which allows lighting to be controlled from two separate locations.

Are you interested in the Empreintes collection? Try out the different combinations of series and finishes inspired by architecture right now on our online configurator.