Beneath dMFK’s award-winning headquarters at 76 Charlotte Street, London, Downstairs at dMFK sees a previously lightless basement transformed into a living materials library and creative workspace. Completed in December 2025, the 2,000 sq ft Derwent London-owned space reimagines a former post-production studio as a flexible environment for collaboration, experimentation and events.
Acting as client, architect and interior designer, dMFK Architects approached Light Forms to develop a flexible, interchangeable lighting scheme that could combine standard and non-standard fittings – some fixed, some moveable – while responding sensitively to the constraints of a low ceiling and limited natural light. The ambition was to create a softly lit, highly adaptable environment that demonstrates how even the most challenging spaces can become viable, inspiring workplaces.
Accenting the narrow, mirrored lightwell that draws visitors down into the basement, Light Forms concealed a KA28 Micro Grazer LED fitting to wash a sheer curtain with light, creating the illusion of daylight along the limited street-facing edge. This subtle intervention provides an immediate sense of depth and arrival.
Within the main space – featuring a workspace, materials libraryand events hub – carefully positioned Powergear 3-Circuit track forms the backbone of the scheme. Flexible Nova Small spotlights, controlled via a Casambi system, provide the ability to reconfigure lighting layouts with ease, highlighting furniture, workshop samples and curated displays as the space evolves. The system allows seamless transition from focused daytime working to industry events, design talks, intimate suppers, and more.
At the centre of the basement sits a five-metre-long terrazzo bar, conceived as a multifunctional focal point – a materials discussion table by day and a bar, dining surface or DJ booth by night. Here, Light Forms proposed a completely flush track solution, delivering warm, dimmable illumination across the surface without the visual interruption of suspended fittings. The fittings can be easily swapped out to showcase alternative luminaires, supporting dMFK’s ambition to explore and present new products within the space.
In the meeting rooms, bespoke Sirius 400 circular fittings were developed to focus light precisely onto the table surface, softening gently at the perimeter to create a calm, intimate atmosphere. Designed to clip into the track, these fittings reinforce the project’s overarching principle of flexibility and interchangeability.
Installed in collaboration with contractor Retail Design and Build Ltd., the lighting integrates seamlessly with acoustic treatments, bespoke joinery and material interventions throughout the basement. The result is a cohesive, layered environment that balances technical performance with warmth and tactility, supporting focused work, collaborative workshops, exhibitions and social events alike.
Commenting on the project, Julian de Metz, Director at dMFK, said: “We work with Light Forms on multiple projects because they have a ‘can do’ ability and drive to design and fabricate interesting fittings that innovate, stand apart from the market, whilst performing in a highly technical arena. For ‘Downstairs at dMFK’, Light Forms were, as ever, easy to work with and helped us arrive at a solution that exceeded our expectations. The lighting is gorgeous.”
By combining concealed grazing light, adaptable track systems and bespoke feature fittings, Downstairs at dMFK demonstrates how thoughtful lighting can redefine a basement environment – strengthening working relationships, showcasing emerging products and creating a space that blurs the line between office, gallery and gathering place.
Project credits:
Client: dMFK Architects
Architect: dMFK Architects
Interior Design: dMFK Architects
Contractor: Retail Design and Build Ltd.
Lighting: Light Forms
Photography: Ed Reeve