Month: May 2025

Visionary lighting designer and CEO of Akarui, Marcus Steffen, shares his highlights and insights from Milan Design Week 2025 – an event attracting people from across the globe that showcases innovation and creativity in design.

Held from the 8th to the 13th of April, Milan Design Week once again lit up the city, transforming it into an open-air gallery of artistic expression and visionary thinking. At the heart was Euroluce, the premier showcase of lighting design within Salone del Mobile, where over 300 international brands unveiled the latest in products, technologies, and sustainable innovations.

For Marcus and the Akarui team, three action-packed days in Milan were a feast of inspiration – exploring exhibitions, establishing new connections, and engaging with the future of design.

Reflecting on his time in Milan, Marcus highlights how the design week played a part in shaping the way we perceive and connect with spaces. He said: “Looking across the design week as a whole, lighting was at the core of making the experiences. Whether it was installations, showrooms, parties or events, lighting was at the heart. Speaking to interior designers and architects during the trip, every single one said how the lighting element of the exhibition and the companies were the most inspiring and innovative areas of design.”

As specialists in lighting design, the Akarui team harness the transformative power of light to shape both atmosphere and function – approaching every project with creativity, precision, and artistic intent. Marcus reflects on the ongoing challenge of finding truly innovative products that meet the high standards and vision required to bring bold lighting concepts to life. He commented: “It was disappointing to see that some big names in the industry did not blow us away as expected. It feels as though they are designing fittings that do not have any practical purpose, and there is no drive there to create something special.

There were also no extraordinary or awe-inspiring products there that changed the way we, as a team and observers, think about lighting. Rather, there were more products of similar purposes, with different stylised designs that might make it easier to find the right fit for clients. For example, mushroom lights for the garden, which light downwards for soft ambient light, used to be rare, but on this trip, I saw 20 different products of the same variety.”

At Akarui, the belief is simple yet powerful: light has the ability to transform. Guided by the philosophy that ‘the best lighting is not seen, but felt,’ the team approaches each project with a deep commitment to creating atmospheres that resonate emotionally as well as visually. Always pushing boundaries, they continually seek out the most innovative products to bring their clients’ visions to life.

For Akarui, industry events and exhibitions represent a vital pulse-check on the future of lighting design. They are a space and opportunity to allow creativity to meet technology, and where the boundaries of what’s possible with light are pushed ever further. As a studio deeply rooted in innovation and emotional impact, Akarui thrives on discovering pioneering solutions that align with their ethos. What matters most to Marcus and the wider team at Akarui is finding lighting solutions that support their artistic vision while embracing sustainability, cutting-edge technology, and meaningful design – allowing them to deliver exceptional, transformative lighting experiences for clients.

TRILUX has delivered a landmark lighting scheme for the new BNP Paribas
headquarters in Brussels—an ambitious, large-scale project that sets a new benchmark for
future-facing, sustainable office environments. With over 14,000 light points installed
across the site, the project demonstrates TRILUX’s capabilities in delivering customised,
smart, and high-quality lighting solutions for modern workplaces across Europe.

BNP Paribas’ new building, Montagne du Parc, combines cutting-edge architecture with passive
house performance, employee wellbeing, and environmental credentials. Designed to consolidate
and modernise the bank’s office space, the 100,000m² complex accommodates around 4,100
employees across ten above-ground floors and five underground levels. The site also features
three publicly accessible green courtyards.

TRILUX worked closely with the design team to meet stringent standards for sustainability, visual
comfort and architectural integration. The building has already received multiple accolades,
including the prestigious “Best Office and Business Development” award at MIPIM (Marché
International des Professionnels de l'immobilier) 2022.

A Lighting System as Sophisticated as the Architecture

TRILUX supplied over 9,000 customised versions of its 39 series luminaires, flush-mounted
throughout the building to maintain clean ceiling lines and deliver uniform, glare-free lighting. In
office areas, the 39 luminaires were seamlessly integrated into several chilled ceiling systems and

equipped with MRX optics and UGR<19, ensuring both energy efficiency and optimal visual
comfort.
To complement the lighting concept and add design flexibility, TRILUX combined the 39s with
recessed spotlights for mood and accent lighting. The washrooms and plant rooms were
illuminated with Sonnos, SncPoint, Oleveon Fit, and Montigo luminaires. Select fittings were also
used decoratively to define zones and enhance the interior architecture.

The building’s smart lighting infrastructure includes Human Centric Lighting (HCL) to mimic the
natural daylight cycle, improving visual comfort and supporting occupants’ wellbeing throughout the
day.

Tailored Lighting, Designed for People and Place

TRILUX also developed several custom-made luminaires in partnership with interior designers,
including sculptural, oversized light rings and a floating, fabric-stretched ceiling in the lounge areas.
These architectural lighting features enhance the overall atmosphere while reinforcing the
building’s unique interior identity.
This complex, multi-phase scheme highlights TRILUX’s expertise in delivering bespoke, large-
scale lighting solutions that align with architectural, technical and environmental priorities.

Lighting Innovation for the Modern Workplace

The new BNP Paribas HQ is a model for the next generation of office buildings—combining
Passive House standards with design excellence and smart building capabilities. TRILUX’s full-
service lighting approach played a central role in this achievement, from energy-efficient lighting
and intelligent controls to highly bespoke solutions that adapt to architectural vision and human
needs.

This project reinforces TRILUX’s international reputation for delivering award-winning lighting in
complex office environments—ensuring comfort, performance, and sustainability in equal measure.

Standing 71-metres high, the double trestle headframe at the German Mining Museum Bochum – Leibniz Research Museum for Geo-resources – has been renovated and given a new dynamic lighting design, achieved through the installation of a flexible multi-controller system from Pharos Architectural Controls.

The headframe is a celebrated local landmark of the popular museum. As the largest mining museum in the world, and operational as a research institute for mining, archaeology and archaeometry, the site needs frequent refurbishment to ensure it is functional, appealing, and maintaining high standards. Most recently, the headframe was renovated with the replacement of steel parts and the removal of old paint layers, with a new coating applied. The addition of dynamic lighting has allowed the structure to be transformed into an illuminated sculpture while improving energy efficiency.

Westermann Kommunikation and LightLife collaborated on the lighting design, with LightLife handling the programming and installation.

The once cold, static lighting has been replaced with a new system capable of transforming the museum and its surroundings with light shows featuring warm white and coloured arrays. This design introduces a sense of movement to the structure, animating the winding tower’s pulleys and enabling the projection of words onto one of its horizontal beams. The lighting will highlight events in the Ruhr area, from local celebrations to other significant dates, creating a visually engaging connection between the landmark and the community.

The words “Glück Auf!”, which translate to ‘Good luck!’, were beamed onto the tower for its grand opening in February 2025. This is a traditional German greeting, particularly among miners, that expresses a wish for good fortune in their work and a safe return. The phrase is also used more broadly as a general greeting or as a call for luck.

To realise this new lighting design, a single-universe Pharos Designer LPC (Lighting Playback Controller) was specified, delivering the control elements for the external lighting, the atrium, glass roof, elevator space and park lighting. The LPC is also being used to control the gobo projection component of the light show.

The Designer LPC is an all-in-one control solution, ideal for large-scale LED lighting installations. As a rugged, compact unit, the LPC is designed to offer complete reliability even when in 24/7 operation, and features individually controllable and independently running timelines and scenes. It also offers the freedom of real-time manual overrides, with the versatility of powerful show control and integration features.

To enable the video playback of the LED lines – the pulleys of the winding tower – a fifty-universe Pharos Designer VLC (Video Lighting Controller) has been specified. The VLC is a flexible solution that offers a simple way to play video content across an array. This can either be from locally stored HD media files or a DVI-D video input. The VLC also offers a range of creative, generative effects and the versatility of powerful show control and integration features.

Mark de Gruyter, Sales Director at Pharos Architectural Controls said: “The German Mining Museum Bochum is an incredibly popular tourist destination, as well as an important research facility. It is only fitting that its iconic landmark, the headframe, can be used to highlight not only the museum’s appeal, but also align with the town’s celebrations, special occasions and historic events.

“The LPC from Pharos Architectural Controls is a powerful and versatile product, offering lighting control to a broad range of areas and zones. Alongside the flexibility of the VLC, the system is providing everything needed to ensure the headframe is a nightly spectacle that can be enjoyed by all.”

Florian Tolksdorf, Interior Architect and Project Manager for LightLife, added: “The project as an interplay of architecture, culture, monument and environment in planning, construction and programming was a great challenge for us. It’s rare to have the opportunity to illuminate such an extraordinary building. Many former miners, local residents, and visitors now take joy in witnessing this monument, revitalised by light, as it brings back a piece of their history. For me, as a lighting designer, this sense of joy is the most rewarding part.

We also succeeded in using only high-quality components from European manufacturers, including Pharos from England, Griven from Italy, and SchnickSchnackSystems from Germany. This approach is not always typical in the lighting industry, but for us, it represents the right and sustainable path forward.”

The renovated headframe was unveiled as part of a special festival held at the museum at the end of February. Its nightly illuminations are now a firm favourite among residents and visitors to the attraction, and will no doubt play an important role in the cultural representation of the town of Bochum and the wider Ruhr area.

Lighting design: Westermann Kommunikation & LightLife
Installation & programming: LightLife
Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
Photography credit: F. Tolksdorf LightLife

At the Recolight Net Zero Lighting Conference held on 29 April, Maria del Mar Rojas Europe Engagement Manager with The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) told delegates that net zero is not a goal, it's it’s a deadline.

Maria went on to explain how companies can get their targets verified by SBTi and provided details of the arrangements available for smaller businesses.
The conference also looked at forthcoming standards for achieving net zero with a presentation from Rahul Shah, Global Director, Built Environment, at BSI. Rahul gave attendees an overview of the key current and planned carbon reduction and net zero standards. Rob Allison Director of Auditel outlined how public procurement is evolving to drive adoption of net zero requirements in different parts of the public sector.

Mike Collett of Auditel provided delegates with practical advice on developing near term carbon reduction plans, including capital projects, process and procurement changes, and behavioural changes.

Irene Mazzei, Sustainability Lead at Stoane Lighting, and John Gorse, Country Lead for Public and Government Affairs at Signify gave insightful presentations on the challenges and opportunities that B Corp and Ecovadis certification can yield. A lively panel discussion focused on the benefits that companies obtain as they go through the process of implementing change to meet the requirements.

The day concluded with case studies from Mark Helm Quality Assurance and Lean Six Sigma Manager of Thorn Lighting, Daniel Lintell, Sustainability Manager at Triton Showers, and Andrew Mullen, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Beko. All three gave tangible real world case studies of approaches taken to reduce reducing operational carbon, and the importance of collecting actionable data.

Commenting on the event, Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight highlighted key conference takeaways.
“At its simplest, to reduce our carbon emissions we must be in a cycle of Measure – Target – Reduce. We need to keep going round that cycle and then be transparent on the outcomes. There is a real need for sharing between companies: of successes, failures and learning as we strive to decarbonise. Fundamentally, this is not a competition in which there will be winners and losers. Rather, it is a race where we are all on the same side. We are collectively successful or otherwise – but working together increases the likelihood of better outcomes. Data is key to understanding, managing and reducing carbon. We should celebrate the “Data nerds” in our organisations who collect and process that data, which allows us to target the hotspots.”
Conference chair Ray Molony, editor of the Circular Lighting Report added “Certifications are not so much a label for marketing purposes, more a framework and an expert guide for improving the fundamental processes of a business.”

Quotes from the speakers and delegates

PRESS RELEASE 2 May 2025
Recolight Ltd, Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey CR0 0XZ | WEEE scheme l number WEE/MP3838PR/SCH | Registered in London No: 5496729
020 8253 9750 www.Recolight.co.uk Suzanne.Castine@recolight.co.uk
“Accreditations are a vital part of companies’ paths toward a sustainable future. Regardless of which certification scheme you go for, any action taken toward engaging and empowering employees, as well as forwarding a sustainable supply chain and production line, is a step in the right direction. If you can start thinking within a sustainability framework, do it. If you can action it, do it, and educate your customers about what it takes to achieve it”.

Kael Gillam, Senior Associate at Hoare Lea

“Another Recolight event where the Lighting industry shows how much it has embraced, learned about and now engages positively in all matters regarding sustainability. We still have a long way to go but we have already come a long way since the first Recolight Circular Lighting Live just three years ago. A pleasure to have taken part as a speaker, panel member and audience member”.
John, Gorse, Signify Country Leafor Public & Government Affairs “Regardless of the myriad of frameworks and acronyms in the industry, remember it all starts with good carbon management. Measure, target and reduce. You can decide what framework to align to, once you are on the journey. Science Based Targets are a great management tool to get the entire senior team engaged but they need to be validated.”

Rob Allison, Director, Auditel UK
“Recolight are in a unique position whereby they have access to other market segments, so can invitassociated industries to provide their insight to the same topic.
That’s great way to sanity check our progresand learn best practice from others”.

Simon Fisher, Director, F Mark Ltd “Reiterate the mantra of measure, target, reduce!”

Gary Thornton, Director, Nulty “A superb conference organised by Recolight. Great discussions and takeways about achieving Net Zero from within the lighting sector and beyond.”

Nick Revell, Managing Director, Philip Payne Limited
“Another inciteful event with good information on key sustainability topics.”

Martin Thompson, Technical Services Manager, Tridonic

The next Recolight conference is Circular Lighting Live on 25 September. Please save the date. Programme and tickets coming soon.

“Set along the St Andrews seafront, Seaton House has been lovingly restored. Known as the “home from home at the home of golf,” the hotel seamlessly blends historic charm with modern comfort. With its rich history and stunning location, it serves as both a retreat and a reminder of the area’s heritage.

As lighting designers, we were proud to contribute to its transformation. Our work focused on the public areas, where the aim was to elevate the guest experience and introduce a sense of understated luxury. We collaborated closely with Upperworth Studios to accent key features of their design using a considered blend of narrow-beam downlights and soft linear lighting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Our approach centred on lighting that adapts to the rhythm of the day. In The Board Room, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, tuneable white linear lighting shifts in tone throughout the day. Mornings begin with a crisp, energising 3000K glow, gradually transitioning to a soft, ambient 2400K by evening—echoing the natural progression of daylight.

In both The Board Room and Ondine Oyster & Grill, high-level lighting balances the bright daylight streaming through the large seaview windows. As daylight fades, the overhead lights dim gradually—reaching just 2% by night—allowing low-level lighting and table lamps to define the space. These intimate pools of light create a refined, high-end dining experience.

The Bow Butts Bar offers a more enclosed and contemplative setting, with a timeless 2400K glow that harmonises with the rich wood interiors. Focused downlights add depth and drama, casting shadows that shape pockets of moody, immersive light—perfect for quiet conversations or enjoying a rare whisky.

Throughout, the lighting scheme was designed not simply to illuminate, but to enhance mood, reveal architectural character, and give each space a distinct sense of identity and harmony—creating a cohesive, luxurious experience.”

Designed in direct response to customer demand for a larger-scale, full-solution product offering, the launch of the VAC and VAC Pro robust anti-corrosive luminaires reinforces Ventilux’s commitment to supporting clients across every stage of a lighting project, from specification through to installation in every location possible.

The VAC and VAC Pro offer exceptional performance, combining high energy efficiency, durability, and ease of installation. With a lighting efficiency of 163.9 lumens per watt, the range is particularly suited to markets where reducing energy consumption and lowering operational costs remain key considerations. The luminaires are built to last, with a long lamp life of 47,500 hours, helping to significantly reduce maintenance needs in settings where lights are in frequent use, such as manufacturing facilities, public infrastructure, and commercial environments.

Constructed with stainless steel clips to ensure easy and secure installation, the VAC and VAC Pro have been engineered for resilience. Both luminaires carry IP65 and IK09 ratings, making them highly resistant to impact, dust, and water – ideal for installation in harsh or exposed environments such as plant rooms, riser cupboards and warehouses. The fittings are also resistant to chemical cleaning, ensuring long-term reliability even in industrial settings or areas with strict hygiene standards, such as healthcare facilities.

A standout feature of the VAC Pro is its DALI compatibility, enabling seamless integration with intelligent building management systems. This makes it an ideal choice for sectors that require enhanced control and automation, such as airports and large-scale commercial premises. The wide operating temperature range – from 0°C to 45°C with up to 80% relative humidity – ensures reliable performance in the variable climate of the UK and beyond, adding further versatility to its application.

Safety remains central to Ventilux’s approach, and both models are available with a maintained emergency lighting option, complete with battery backup to support compliance with workplace safety regulations. Whether specified for use in public buildings, infrastructure projects, or private developments, the VAC and VAC Pro both deliver a robust and efficient lighting solution that meets the evolving needs of modern environments.

For both electrical contractors and end users, the VAC and VAC Pro offer a dependable, safety-led solution that delivers long-term peace of mind. These future-ready luminaires support safe operation across multiple sectors by combining robust construction, intelligent control compatibility, and emergency lighting functionality – all backed by Ventilux’s decades of expertise in delivering compliant, high-performance solutions. Choosing Ventilux means choosing a trusted partner committed to quality, safety, and long-term value at every stage of your lighting project.

The Chambal Riverfront in Kota, Rajasthan, is an urban development that has rejuvenated a 6km stretch of land into a thriving cultural and tourist destination. Designed to celebrate the architectural heritage and cultural richness of India, the riverfront features 26 distinct ghats, each representing a unique regional style. Among these, the Rajputana Ghat highlights the art and traditions of nine regions of Rajasthan, while the Sahitya Ghat pays homage to literary giants with statues of renowned authors and a library housing thousands of books.

Beyond its cultural significance, the restoration of the Chambal Riverfront plays a crucial role in ecosystem revitalisation, renewing the connection between the community and the river. The west-side garden of the project beautifully combines art, lighting, and horticulture, offering visitors a captivating experience.

K-LITE was appointed through architect Dr. Anoop Bartaria, with the lighting design led by Studio Johns. The lighting scheme was crafted to enhance safety, aesthetics, and architectural integrity. Specially designed decorative poles from K-LITE were installed along the pathway, blending with the heritage concept. These poles not only ensure optimal and safe lux levels at night but also serve as decorative elements during the day. Additionally, Nebula floodlights were used to highlight planters and statues, enhancing the visual appeal of key elements. Inground lights were strategically placed to illuminate the columns, emphasising architectural details, while Gazer lights were applied for wall grazing, adding depth and texture to the riverfront’s structures.

The lighting solutions by K-LITE not only contribute to the safety and functionality of the riverfront but also elevate its visual appeal for the visitors to enjoy.

Project credits:

Client – Urban Improvement Trust & Smart City.

Architects – Dr. Anoop Bartaria, Founder, Chairman and Principal Designer of Sincere Architects

Lighting Design – Studio Johns

Thorn Lighting is bringing a dose of excitement to spring with the launch of its latest
installer promotion: Spin to Win with THORNeco.

Running until end of June 2025, the promotion gives installers the chance to win one
of over 700 instant prizes—simply by purchasing THORNeco products in-store.
Installers who spend £/€150 or more (excluding VAT) on THORNeco products at
participating wholesalers will be eligible for one spin of the online prize wheel. Every
additional £/€150 spent—up to a total of £/€750—earns another spin (maximum five
spins per invoice). From coffee vouchers to airpods to PlayStations there is plenty
up for grabs.

To take part, installers simply scan the QR code found on promotional leaflets
available in-store at their local wholesaler. This takes them to a dedicated landing
page https://www.my-rewardshub.com/thorn/spin2win, where they can upload their
invoice and instantly spin to win.

“As a gesture of appreciation to our installers who support our THORNeco range,
Spin to Win is all about rewarding loyalty in a fun and engaging way—just one more
reason to choose THORNeco this spring.” Says John Lyons, Divisional Director –
Trade at Thorn Lighting.

The promotion is open to all UK and Irish installers purchasing in-store from any
wholesaler stocking THORNeco products. Prizes are available while stocks last.
For more information, visit https://www.my-rewardshub.com/thorn/spin2win
or speak to your local wholesaler.

As local authorities work to upgrade their lighting infrastructure, they prioritise energy efficiency, cost management, and adherence to regulations.

One often-overlooked but critical factor in this process is the use of charge codes – uniquely numerical identifiers assigned to lighting products, primarily used for unmetered electricity supplies. Partnering with a lighting manufacturer that provides charge-coded products, such as LUG Lighting UK, brings significant advantages to local authorities looking to enhance their public lighting efficiently and sustainably.

Charge codes are used for street lighting, bollards, and other unmetered electrical installations. Issued by the Energy Networks Association (ENA), these codes allow Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to calculate energy consumption accurately, ensuring that local authorities are billed fairly and transparently.

Another significant advantage is regulatory compliance and faster approvals. Many DNOs require charge codes before allowing new lighting installations to connect to the grid. LUG’s charge-coded products streamline this process, reducing delays and administrative burdens for local authorities, allowing them to implement projects more swiftly and efficiently.

Furthermore, charge-coded, energy-efficient LED lighting plays a crucial role in supporting local authorities’ net-zero and sustainability goals. By adopting LUG’s innovative solutions, councils can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and operational costs while ensuring their public spaces remain well-lit and safe.

LUG not only offer a wide range of charge-coded, high-performance lighting solutions but have also been recognised for their commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Recently awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Award, LUG ranks among the top 1% of companies globally in environmental, ethical, and supply chain sustainability practices.

As councils across the UK push towards smarter, more sustainable cities, working with a charge-code-approved, EcoVadis Platinum-rated manufacturer like LUG Lighting offers a clear pathway to cost-effective, compliant, and environmentally responsible lighting solutions.

Peter Cottrell, Business Development Manager, LUG Lighting UK says, “Lighting manufacturers wanting to enter into business with local authorities are required to have a broad range of products with versatility in lumen packages and optics, robust warranties, recyclability, and most of all they have to invest in having products charge coded so they can be measured for consumption. It’s a step that LUG have made for the future to ensure local authorities can partner with a trusted manufacturer.”

By choosing LUG, local authorities gain a reliable partner dedicated to energy efficiency, sustainability, and seamless project execution – ensuring that public lighting not only meets today’s needs but also supports a more sustainable tomorrow.