ISLINGTON’S BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE will be the place for enlightenment for lighting professionals, architects and designers as it hosts LiGHT 24, an exhibition dedicated to the art and science of lighting. Tailored for professionals from across the creative sector, the event aims to provide a platform where the latest innovations and trends can be explored and understood.
Since launching in 2022, LiGHT has grown steadily since 3,500 visitors turned out to its first edition, with the following year seeing a 43% increase to almost 5,000 attendees. This year’s show will once again feature a wide range of exhibitors and features covering all aspects of high-end lighting specification.
The event at the Business Design Centre offers visitors multiple networking opportunities, while exhibitor showcases will offer a more in-depth look at the products and technologies on display
Far from being aimed solely at lighting specialists, LiGHT 24 aims to highlight the best in lighting for creatives in all kinds of roles by bringing together architects, interior designers and lighting designers with innovative brands and suppliers.
Non-lighting specialists can discover ways to more seamlessly integrate the right lighting solutions into their project designs and learn more about the effects of lighting on design schemes and the end user. LiGHT 24 will feature hundreds of high-end decorative and architectural lighting manufacturers, while a dedicated space for decorative and design-led lighting brands returns to the gallery level for a second year, focusing on providing an area in which to collaborate, inspire and specify decorative, design-led lighting solutions.
This year, the Associations Lounge will host a number of industry associations from the architecture, interior design and lighting communities, including the IALD, ILP, LIA, SLL, BIID, SBID, VLDC, Women in Lighting, Women Lighting Professionals, Women in Office Design, Women in Architecture, and the Women in Furniture Network. The space will serve as a place for designers to meet with colleagues and gain vital information on the advantages of memberships with these associations.
OPINIONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Speakers from across the sector
The event at the Business Design Centre offers visitors multiple networking opportunities, while exhibitor showcases will offer a more in-depth look at the products and technologies on display
The [D]arc Thoughts talks programme will be taking place throughout the show, featuring experts from across the world of design while covering project highlights and topics that affect all areas of the industry. Moderated by editors from the lighting design magazines Arc and Darc, as well as guest moderators, the talks will aim to delve deeper into the latest topics and trends affecting lighting and design, from the circular economy and sustainability, and designing for wellness, to diversity in design.
With two programmes running side by side, this year’s line-up of over 30 design professionals from all areas of the industry will follow three themes covering the business of design, interiors and lighting, and designing for people and the planet, which will be split further into content around wellness, sustainability and the environment.
The event at the Business Design Centre offers visitors multiple networking opportunities, while exhibitor showcases will offer a more in-depth look at the products and technologies on display. Image Credit: JAMES GIFFORD_MEAD
Adjoining the talks programme, a new feature – Decorative + Design – will give interior lighting brands a dedicated area to shine. It includes technical lighting with a design-led focus, with high-end lighting brands exhibiting in this space, including Davide Groppi, iGuzzini, Intra Lighting, Luceplan, LZF Lighting, Penta Light, Prolicht, and SAAS Instruments.
LiGHT 24 offers visitors multiple networking opportunities, including latenight welcome drinks during the first evening and the popular LiGHT LUNCH on day two of the event. This year, LiGHT LUNCH will be centred around a Women in Industry networking event. With representatives from Women in Lighting, Women Lighting Professionals, Women in Office Design, Women in Architecture, and the Women in Furniture Design Network, the discussion will explore why it is important for both men and women to get behind women’s groups in the design industry and how male colleagues and peers can help change the narrative.
The event at the Business Design Centre offers visitors multiple networking opportunities, while exhibitor showcases will offer a more in-depth look at the products and technologies on display
The panel discussion on the gallery level of the Business Design Centre will offer an opportunity to participate in the discussion of gender equality in the workplace alongside designers and representatives from these important women’s initiatives in the design industry. Speakers will include Carmela Dagnello representing Women in Lighting, Rachael Davidson representing Women in Architecture, James Poore of JPLD, Harsha Kotak representing Women in Office Design, and Neil Knowles of Elektra Lighting.
The talk will be followed by a complementary LiGHT Lunch providing an opportunity for visitors to network with peers and find out more about the key work of these industry women’s groups. Kimberly Bartlett of Women Lighting Professionals and Zoe Bonser of the Women in Furniture Network will also be in the room to answer any questions.
Another networking opportunity will be the Silhouette Awards event, open to the entire global lighting community, featuring advice from the programme’s mentors and mentees, education insights, presentations, discussions, and photo opportunities.
The event at the Business Design Centre offers visitors multiple networking opportunities, while exhibitor showcases will offer a more in-depth look at the products and technologies on display
LiGHT WORK will also make a return to the show, with visitors encouraged to make use of the workspace area to network, hold meetings, or complete office tasks, while offering wi-fi, free coffee, and charging points so that visitors do not need to leave the show floor to do vital work.
GIVING PROJECTS THE GREEN LIGHT: The role of sustainability in modern lighting
One of the central themes of LiGHT 24 will be sustainability, a topic that is increasingly vital in the world of lighting design and manufacturing. As the industry seeks to reduce its environmental footprint, exhibitors at the show will highlight products and technologies that are designed with sustainability in mind.
Beyond the exhibits, LiGHT 24 will feature a series of interactive installations and seminars designed to engage attendees and provide deeper insights into the future of lighting. These experiences are designed not only to showcase the latest products but also to foster a greater understanding of the trends and technologies shaping the industry.
The organisers are quick to point out that LiGHT 24 is not just about exploring the latest products and technologies; it also aims to help visitors build connections and foster collaboration within the industry through an exhibition conceived to provide opportunities for networking, allowing professionals to exchange ideas, share experiences, and potentially collaborate on future projects.
Exhibitor showcases will offer a more in-depth look at the products and technologies on display. These presentations, led by representatives from the exhibiting brands, will provide a detailed overview of their latest innovations, along with insights into the design and development process. These sessions are ideal for professionals who want to gain a deeper understanding of the products and how they can be applied in their own projects. www.lightexpo.london
LIGHT REFLECTION: FIVE KEY POINTS
Beyond focusing on the specific needs of an individual project, there are a host of wider issues driving lighting design decision-making…
1. Sustainability and energy efficiency
An increasing focus is being placed on sustainable lighting solutions that reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint. This includes advancements in LED technology, smart lighting controls, and renewable energy integration. Key questions to consider are: how can lighting design minimise environmental impact?; what role do certifications like LEED and WELL play in specifying lighting solutions?; and what is the real balance between upfront costs and long-term energy savings?
2. Human-centric lighting
The role of lighting in enhancing human well-being, productivity, and comfort in commercial spaces has become an essential component of any design scheme. This includes circadian lighting, tunable white lighting, and lighting that adapts to natural daylight cycles. The main discussion points surround the role of human-centric lighting and its impact on employee productivity and health; the challenges in implementing these systems across large-scale commercial projects; and how research is helping to explain the links between lighting and mental and physical health outcomes.
3. Integration of smart lighting and IoT
The incorporation of smart lighting systems that can be controlled and automated through IoT platforms is deining many large-scale projects. This includes energy management, personalised lighting environments, and maintenance alerts. Looking ahead, how will IoT and AI continue to transform commercial lighting design, and what role will data analytics play in optimising lighting performance?
4. Aesthetics and architectural integration
The integration of lighting design with architectural elements to enhance the aesthetic appeal of commercial spaces is central to any project, and includes invisible lighting, architectural lighting, and the use of lighting as a design feature. Talking points will encompass the balance that needs to be struck between functionality and aesthetics in lighting speciication, and wider trends in minimalistic and integrated lighting designs.
5. Compliance with building regulations and standards
Among the most challenging aspects is navigating the complexities of lighting regulations and standards, such as building codes, energy standards, and safety regulations. Essential discussion points will include: how can professionals stay updated on changing regulations?; the impact of compliance on lighting design choices; and the role of third-party testing and certification in ensuring compliance.
ERCO (stand 39) will demonstrate its Iku downlights, designed for use on track systems in a range of environments including museums, hotels, restaurants and shops. Iku has been designed to combine the high visual comfort of classic recessed luminaires with the flexibility of track spotlights, enabling lighting to be easily reconfigured if the furniture layout or the use of a room changes.
The modular design of Iku makes the downlights even more adaptable. The three available light distributions – wide flood (70°), extra wide flood (80°) and oval flood (20° x 60°) – are defined by interchangeable lenses, similar to ERCO spotlights, which can be easily changed. The available light colours range from 2700K to 4000K, and versions with ‘tunable white’ technology offer an additional design dimension for variable light colours ranging from warm white to daylight white. www.erco.com
Among the lighting designs on display from Artemide (stand U14) is Eggboard Circle, a cylindrical form made up of a panel with a sinusoidal section. The construction helps to reduce sound reverberation in the room. Available in two sizes, it combines direct emission with a diffused indirect emission that can be controlled separately with traditional control systems or with the Artemide app.
Also on show will be Helgoland, a light fixture with a hexagonal geometry inspired by the shape of a honeycomb. Its compact size, lightweight design and minimal materials combine with an energy efficiency of 150lm/W. Helgoland’s designer Carlotta de Bevilacqua, says: ‘Helgoland bears witness to how designing is not a style, but a thought process packed with expertise. It is not a formal idea but a sophisticated solution which, in the silence of the object which blends into the architecture, belongs to knowing how to shed light.’ www.artemide.com
The Light Lab (stand 10) will present its illuminated handrail Glowrail, linear LED system Glowline, and key project samples including an SPI-controlled backlit wall and pixel-controlled LED glass pendant.
Image Credit: AXEL GROSS
The brand specialises in custom architectural lighting solutions, including lighting integration, emerging technologies and project management. Its work covers all stages of the lighting design process, from initial collaborative design and drawings, and mock-ups in its central London workshop, to manufacture/supply of all metalwork, glass, LEDs and controllers. www.thelightlab.com
Image Credit: CHRIS WINTER
Innerscene (stand 69) will be showcasing its Virtual Sun and Circadian Sky products, both of which simulate natural daylight in indoor environments. Its systems feature advanced technology that replicates the full spectrum of natural light, with colour temperatures ranging from 2200K to 40,000K and a high colour rendering index of 92+. The manufacturer says that the products support circadian rhythms, meet WELL V2 standards with a melanopic ratio of 1.6, and are suitable for various settings including healthcare facilities, offices and residential spaces, offering potential benefits such as improved sleep patterns, mood enhancement and increased productivity. www.innerscene.com
Prolicht (stand D32) will present its Just Black connecting delicate architectural lighting at LiGHT 24. This hyper-miniaturised track can be used to house technical spots, downlights and linear inserts, as well as decorative pendants and spheres for general lighting. It can also be used with Flexline, a flexible strip designed to be installed flush to the track edge and is suitable for installation in both straight and curved profiles.
The Just Black Acoustic variant integrates the miniaturised luminaires from the Just Black track system into sound-absorbing acoustic panels. The range includes pre-designed panels in 32 colours in circular, rectangular and quadrangular shapes. www.prolicht.at
Lightnet (stand D29/D30) will be presenting the latest addition to its product range, including the Ringo Star LED pendant luminaire, available in a range of finishes including white, silver, graphite, black, champagne and coppercoated, and the highly customisable Liquid Line LED pendant light system. www.lightnet-group.com
