Turin, the iconic city for international sports culture, is once again hosting the 32nd edition of the Winter World University Games, organized by FISU, from January 13th to 23rd, 2025.
Rimani, a Turin-based company specialized in designing and producing innovative lighting solutions, was selected by the Board as a supplier to realize the led lighting structure of “La Guarini“. Designed to symbolize the Games, the torch embodies universal values and messages aiming to inspire young people, university students, and the wider community.
“We are honored to have had the chance to contribute to such an extraordinary event as the Winter World University Games,” said Rimani CEO Carlo Albano. ” The creation of the Torch prototype was a collaborative effort involving our entire team. We are excited to see our work unveiled and shared with the world during the official presentation event.”
As an engineering and design masterpiece, the Torch incorporates distinctive elements of sports traditions and Turin’s cultural heritage. The design concept originates from the workshop “The torch and the brazier for 2025: designing the Winter Universiade” at the Polytechnic University of Turin. The torch was designed by four students inspired by the Dome of Guarini, a hallmark of Piedmontese Baroque style, specifically the Dome of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud of Turin Cathedral. The Dome, among the most innovative masterpieces of this movement, consists of concentric hexagons rising in six levels, allowing light to enter through baskets, creating visual plays of light and shadow. The core of the concept for “La Guarini,” echoes to the concentric geometries of the Dome and its orientation towards light.
Technically speaking, the torch is assembled into two main parts: the first includes the main metal body produced by Vibel Group S.r.l., while the second consists of the electric and electronic light body, skillfully crafted by Rimani.
Rimani has created the main cylindrical light body with an opal diffuser screen, housing 400 individually addressable RGB LEDs. These LEDs are positioned both inside the tube, facing outward, and upward towards the top dome to simulate a flickering flame effect. Special materials with unique optical properties further enhance this lighting effect. Additionally, a white LED is situated at the bottom of the handle, illuminating the spherical feature.
An important aspect of the design was its sustainability, particularly in terms of energy consumption. The use of LEDs eliminates the need for a gas flame, producer of emissions and environmental impact. The low power consumption of LEDs contributes to energy efficiency, a key feature in this project.
Thanks to its low power requirements, a compact lithium-ion battery is used, making the Torch rechargeable. This innovation reduces waste and pollution associated with disposable, non-rechargeable batteries, promoting reusability. Despite its compact size and weight, the battery allows the Torch to operate at full power for approximately 1.5 hours, enabling the Torchbearer to cover longer distances with fewer interruptions compared to a gas-powered torch.
Furthermore, the Torch features a charge status indicator with 4 blue LEDs on the handle, a USB Type-C charging port following the new European Standard to minimize waste from multiple types of cables, and simplified interaction with a single-button operation (1 click to turn on, 2 clicks to turn off).
Rimani operates nationally and internationally, interpreting specific sector requirements and integrating sports among its fields of research and development. They consistently propose lighting solutions suitable for various contexts, including for the University Games.
