Female Architect Trio Reimagine Interior Aesthetics in Addis with Eco-Artisan Lighting

Addis Ababa has certainly lit up over the past two years. From the beaming corridor lights on sidewalks to the walls of the capital’s buildings, incandescence is the order of the day. While most of the lighting supply in the city’s exterior is produced by large businesses, some small enterprises are entwining artistic blends into the capital’s interior aesthetics. For the past three years, Mella Studio has handcrafted a niche market for its pendant and hanging lights inspired by Ethiopia’s historical heritage and woven from discarded inputs.

Founded by a trio of female architects who left desk jobs to tap into what they felt to be an overlooked market, the Studio has become a go-to source for clients seeking stylized light pieces. High-end cafes, restaurants, and homeowners in Ethiopia and abroad seek out their artisan pieces for their blend of rustic simplicity and contemporary elegance. 

Mahlet Getu (General Manager), Gelila Tefesetewold(Creative Director), and Hana Tasew(CFO) consider their business an outlet for creative expression. Mahlet says they try to tell a story with each piece produced at the Studio.

“We started off producing art pieces,” she told Shega.

The trio source discarded glass, metal scraps, and bamboo as they want to maintain an environmentally conscious approach in their business. They say 90% of the inputs are sourced from locally available items.

“Most of our inputs are purchased from Mercato,” says Mahlet.” There are little gems lying everywhere.”

A meticulous selection of fabric precedes each item, with the production process taking up to 15 days, entailing alignment with the client’s interests and a particular story. Most products have a unique Amharic name that reflects their designs and Ethiopian flavor like Fendisha, Eskista and Sergud. While priced between 6,500 to 28,000 birr, depending on the complexity of the design, clients often require a customization of sorts.

Mahlet says designing a product tailored to a particular location and the services provided by a certain client enriches the production process. She notes an intentionality behind their selection of items like wood and clay to give their light products an identity.

Furthermore, the Studio uses LED bulbs, which they believe create a warm glow and nurture a welcoming ambience. A prevailing recognition of the impact that light and color have on mood regulation and the nervous system pervades throughout their design process. 

The artisans have now managed to acquire clients like the Village Addis Restaurant and sell over 100 products to a host of clients. While finding new clients is not always easy, Mella Studio’s presence on social media has helped the products reach a new wave of customers.

While the trio recognized a scarcity of handcrafted light products early on, cultivating an appreciation for locally made products has not always been easy.

“The industry is dominated by expensive imports,” says the General Manager. 

Mahlet has noticed a shift in attitudes in recent months as the artisans have become bolder in defining their brand identity. She expects a gradual increase in adoption as more people recognize the grit, artistry and passion that goes into handcrafted alternatives.