INTERVIEW WITH GARCÍA REQUEJO

For over 60 years, García Requejo has been crafting tailored lighting solutions for contract projects. The company is specialized in designing and manufacturing high-quality, personalized pieces for clients, collaborating with some of the most esteemed architects, decorators, hotels, and restaurant chains. These entities place their trust in the originality and quality of their products.

Thanks to advancements in materials and design technology, García Requejo has garnered numerous national and international awards and recognitions. Among their latest breakthroughs is the development of a brand-new catalogue featuring germicidal lamps with UV-C and LED lighting, which has been introduced to the market through the company’s second brand: Germiled.

Interview with Joana Bóveda Vergara, Marketing Manager at García Requejo.

Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?

Joana Bóveda Vergara: We design and manufacture high-end custom-made furniture and lighting for contract projects.

E.E: What’s the news about new products?

J.B.V: With over 60 years of experience in the contract and hospitality sector, García Requejo continues to be at the forefront thanks to the combination of tradition and innovation. 

The best version of tradition is still present in the unique and exclusive ornamental lighting sets, handmade using the ancient technique of glass blowing. Innovation is also present in their ornamental sets, as they are developed with an integrated lighting system within the design itself, allowing the creation of lamps and lighting scenes for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Arum Lily is a collection inspired by the nature and simplicity of the calla lily; the elegant shapes of this flower form the character and identity of the collection. Minimalism and delicacy are reflected in the craftsmanship performed through blown glass.

The lighting system integrated in the calla lily design allows them to be installed in both outdoor and indoor spaces: flower aesthetic for garden design as well as part of a lighting creation to get a curated scene.

Awards: SIT FURNITURE winner in 2023, LIT 2022 winner in the “Blown Glass Artisanal Lighting” category and IDA 2022 Honourable Mention.

Our newest collection, Imperfect Beauty it’s inspired by the imperfect beauty of nature. The collection consists of sustainable designs that celebrate the uniqueness and splendour of the world around us. Crafted by hand using the ancient art of glass blowing, each piece has its own identity for the creation of unique spaces. Flowers, hummingbirds, butterflies, dragonflies, and tree trunks transport us to a dreamlike forest that reconnects us with nature. With Imperfect Beauty, we can recreate a natural habitat in any environment through their lighting fixtures. The fixtures, viewed through the soft touch of natural light, embody the essence of both nature and craftsmanship.

E.E: What are the ranges of products?

J.B.V:

  • Classic, contemporary, and technical lighting.
  • Classic and contemporary furniture.
  • Augmented Reality Service: García Requejo’s Augmented Reality platform signifies a revolution in the contract universe, empowering professionals with a tool to elevate their projects to the next level.
  • Transfer surface finish: development for lighting and furniture giving rise to a new generation of outdoor furniture and lighting solutions with anti-corrosive and wear-resistant properties.

E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?

J.B.V: After the pandemic years we are now in a moment of revitalization. This has brought an increase in tourism and the discovery of new emerging markets such as the United Arab Emirates. A clear example is the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which has become one of the main niche markets for the Spanish contract channel.

E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?

J.B.V: We have identified four general points:

Design. Today’s guest knows about design and they are looking to discover spaces that will amaze them with spectacular but functional design composition.

Sustainability as a real commitment. Manufacturing with materials that have a lower environmental impact, cutting design and reuse of wood in the manufacture of furniture and increasing the useful life of products.

Technology is taking a more relevant role to complete the user experience: introduction of interactive elements in the designed spaces, domotics and augmented reality to saving costs visualizing the products in a more realistic way, enabling professionals and their clients to view them in maximum detail and customize them in terms of dimensions, finishes, and materials.

Safe spaces: increased attention to air quality in crowded spaces to prevent the spread of viruses, fungi and bacteria.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

J.B.V: Our most innovative products are our blown glass collections and Halo floor lamp. Halo design evokes a totem, in search of the synergy between air, nature and light. With this luminaire we have integrated for the first time UV-C technology in interior design and decoration Halo lamp illuminates decoratively while purifying and disinfecting the air, while there are people in the room.

Halo lamp awards: European Product Design Award 2022, LIT 2021 Healthcare Lighting, IDA 2021 Bronze Special Purpose Lighting, IDA 2021 Honorable Mention Industrial and Life Design.

E.E: What estimations do you have for the rest of 2023?

J.B.V: We anticipate that the rest of the year will continue to be very positive as we are closing numerous hotel projects around the world. In addition, we are continuing our efforts to open new strategic markets for the company such us United States, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.