Ramón Bigas: Engineer, Designer, and Key Figure of Catalan Design

Ramón Bigas (Barcelona, 1946) is one of the most influential names in Catalan industrial design. Trained as an engineer, Bigas developed a career that seamlessly blends technology, artistic expression, and functional clarity, becoming a central figure in the rise of Spanish design during the 1970s and 1980s.

Style and Design Philosophy

Bigas’s work is defined by a precise, architectural, and industrial aesthetic, where materials are used honestly and visibly. His designs emphasize clean geometry, structural clarity, and the expressive potential of metal, tubing, and light. For Bigas, design is not only about problem-solving—it is about creating poetry through form and illumination.

Bigas i Balcells

Together with sculptor Pepa Balcells, he co-founded Bigas i Balcells in Barcelona. The studio became known for its sculptural and architectural lighting systems, often using fluorescent tubes, acrylic, and steel to define space. Many of these pieces are now considered icons of Catalan technological design, highly sought after in the vintage and collectible lighting market.

Collaborations and Projects

Ramón Bigas also contributed designs to major Spanish brands, including:

Santa & Cole

Amat

BD Barcelona Design

His work spans public lighting, urban furniture, interior design, and domestic objects—always maintaining a strong, refined, and innovative identity.

Legacy

Ramón Bigas occupies a key place in the history of contemporary Spanish design. His approach continues to influence how light is understood as an architectural element, and how art and industry can coexist. Today, his lamps and pieces are recognized as functional sculptures that remain visually powerful, timeless, and relevant.