The smallest details often leave the biggest impression. From switches to lighting controls, thoughtfully designed touchpoints are a subtle signal of refined taste.
When we think about the defining features of a high-end home, our minds naturally turn to architectural forms like sculptural staircases, or ostentatious materials like natural stone benchtops. Yet some of the more subtle design decisions serve more to elevate the home than bold architectural moves.
The humble light switch is the perfect example. It’s a detail used countless times each day, yet it’s an essential part of creating homes that feel as refined as they look.
It's this philosophy that sits behind *Clipsal Solis from PDL by Schneider Electric, a collection that approaches electrical accessories not simply as functional necessities, but as considered pieces of industrial design that contribute to the overall architectural experience.
Designed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed industrial designer Jim Hannon-Tan (whose extensive portfolio includes work for design names such as Tom Dixon, Marcel Wanders, Magis, Muji, Flos, and Alessi), the brief for Solis began with a simple question: how do you elevate an object that people interact with every single day?
The response needed to be functional above all, but also timeless and flexible, says Tim Turrini-Rochford, Schneider Electric’s VP Design Asia Pacific.
“We might have a product that will sit in a wall for 20 or 30 years, so we have to tap into themes that are consistent across decades,” he shares. “What we do fundamentally has a function first, and that function is the most important thing. So the design is more about elevating that to something that is pleasing, or expressing that function in a really interesting, novel, or high-quality way.”
A focus on touch was just as important as appearance. Softly rounded forms, carefully balanced proportions and premium finishes create a product that feels reassuringly substantial under the hand, while remaining visually understated enough to complement contemporary architecture.
“Finally, architects and interior designers are getting an electrical product that is as considered as their projects,” says Tim. “The amount of detail they put into their work is the same amount of detail that we have put into creating ours. Solis might be a small part of their overall design, but it brings the same level of quality and attention to detail.”
Of course, bringing a product like Solis to life required far more than industrial design alone. It was the result of close collaboration between designers, engineers and technical specialists, balancing aesthetic ambition with the durability and precision demanded of an electrical product used every day for years to come.
The result is a collection that feels at home within architecturally designed residences, available in two ranges: Solis Series features a fine matte texture in either black or white; and Clipsal Solis T-Series elevates the design to a new level in anodised aluminium and a world-leading white ceramic.
“We’ve used an industrial ceramic borrowed from high-tech industries,” shares Tim. “It’s an incredibly tough, super hard-wearing material that helps to resist dirt, fingerprints, and scratches. It also has a satiny soft, quite luxurious texture.”
Fittingly, the name Solis is derived from the Latin word for sun, with the collection inspired by the way light radiates from a central point. It's a subtle reference that reinforces the product's purpose, while reflecting the thoughtful design philosophy behind every detail.
For architects, designers and homeowners alike, it's a reminder that the most successful homes aren't defined by a single statement piece, but by the moments that shape everyday living.
When every touchpoint has been considered with the same care as the architecture itself, the result is a home that doesn't just look exceptional, but feels exceptional too.
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