Circular Lighting Live expands programme and venue
(UK) – The UK’s largest event focused on sustainable lighting will return on 25 September with an expanded format and a new venue. Now in its fourth year, Circular Lighting Live will be held at the Minster Building Conference Centre in the City of London.
This year’s edition introduces several new elements aimed at deepening industry engagement with circularity and decarbonisation. These include the ‘Innovations in Sustainability’ track, a hands-on exploration of sustainable materials, components, controls, and projects, as well as a new micro format featuring short presentations focused on actionable sustainability initiatives.
The event will also host the Build Back Better Awards 2025, which recognise creativity, innovation, and environmental leadership within the built environment sector. The awards will be presented in a main-stage ceremony during the conference.
An expanded exhibition area will feature a wide range of sustainable lighting technologies and products, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with innovations from leading manufacturers.
Circular Lighting Live 2024 saw a 13% increase in attendance from lighting designers, engineers, and architects. Feedback from the 300 delegates who participated in last year’s event highlighted its value in navigating the complexities of sustainable lighting practices.
“CLL2024 was a fantastic event,” says Greg Bristol of ASD Lighting. “I came away awed by the challenge but inspired by the amazing people and companies working towards a more sustainable industry.”
Martin Wherry of Glamox adds: “Circular Lighting Live 2024 was an inspiring and essential gathering. It showcased how the industry is coming together to innovate around circularity, pushing the boundaries of sustainable lighting design while embracing AI and digitalisation.”
Early bird registration for Circular Lighting Live 2025 is open through 31 July. Complimentary admission is available for independent, fee-based lighting designers, architects, consulting engineers, wholesalers, and end-users.
What we did at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025
As Clerkenwell’s historic streets once again pulsed with creative energy for the 14th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week, the festival reaffirmed its place as a highlight of the global design calendar. Across three days, the district played host to a vibrant mix of installations, exhibitions, and conversations that celebrated innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration. For arc magazine, this year’s CDW was particularly meaningful, as we participated in and hosted several thought-provoking talks and inspiring partnerships that spotlighted the evolving role of light in design. From moderating a powerful discussion on inclusive design with Zaha Hadid Architects and Erco, to exploring harmony in design with Artemide in our ‘Design In Balance’ panel, and hosting a book launch for a particularly well-known lighting designer, our editorial team was at the heart of the dialogue this year. Here’s a rundown of what went on.
A standout moment for arc had to be the opportunity to participate in a deeper, more meaningful conversation around the role of design in fostering inclusivity. In collaboration with renowned architectural studio Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and German lighting manufacturer Erco, arc’s Editor Matt Waring moderated a thought-provoking panel at ZHA’s London headquarters. The discussion, titled ‘Inclusive Design: Space, Light + Perception’, explored how design can move beyond accessibility checklists to help create environments that are truly welcoming for all. The panel brought together leading voices from across architecture, lighting, and inclusive design, including Amy Rennie (Buro Happold), Katie Gaudion (Royal College of Art), Bidisha Sinha (Zaha Hadid Architects), and Jim Ashley-Down (Erco), each offered their experiences and knowledge working with a range of products from schools to museums.
Reflecting on the conversation, Ashley-Down notes: “I felt we were able to explore some of the most important, and often overlooked, aspects of a complex and evolving subject. What stood out to me is that when it comes to inclusive design, there isn’t a single, definitive answer. Lighting plays a fundamental role in shaping how people perceive and navigate space, making it a critical component in creating environments that welcome and support everyone.” Ashley-Down’s words serve as a reminder that true inclusivity isn’t about reaching a final destination, but about maintaining a commitment to learning, listening, and improving – a mindset the entire panel echoed throughout the session.
On Wednesday, our partnership with Italian lighting brand, Artemide, saw our Managing Editor, Helen Ankers, host ‘Design in Balance’, a thoughtful discussion on the intersection of beauty, performance, and sustainability, particularly in lighting and design. Hosted at The Senator Group, the lunchtime session brought together an inspiring panel of designers and artists, including architect Karen Cook (Spice Design), artist Liz West, and lighting designers Victoria Jerram (Victoria Jerram Lighting Design) and Clementine Fletcher-Smith (Speirs Major Light Architecture). Together, they unpacked the complex balancing act that sits at the heart of contemporary design practice.
Each speaker offered a unique perspective on how they negotiate creativity and constraints in their work. Reflecting on her approach, Karen Cook notes: “Helen asked us what the most important considerations are in our designs and what we are not willing to compromise on, and I believe people inhabiting a space require clarity of form to feel well in their space. Light plays a fundamental role in defining and expressing that clarity of form.”
This idea of light as both a practical and poetic tool was echoed throughout the conversation, from Liz West’s sensory-driven installations to Victoria Jerram and Clementine Fletcher-Smith’s insights into crafting atmospheres that are emotionally resonant and technically precise. The discussion highlighted the importance of freedom in design, as well as the intricacies around balancing client expectations with creating spaces that consider aesthetics, functionality, and connection.
One of the joys of Clerkenwell Design Week is stumbling upon something unexpected, and this year’s art installations did not disappoint, offering playful, provocative interventions throughout the district. In the House of Detention, visitors encountered Feel the Pull by PixelArtworks, a magnetic multi-sensory installation where light and sound responded to invisible forces, creating a hypnotic environment that pulsed, shifted and pulled you deeper.
Elsewhere, architectural practice Jestico + Whiles presented Lumen Drift in Sutton Yard, an evocative collaboration with Architainment Lighting and Studio Fractal. The piece invited visitors to follow the real-life path of Mary Moore and Ann Wade, two women wrongfully imprisoned in Clerkenwell prison and later exiled to Australia, through a tactile forest of illuminated fabrics. Blending narrative, texture, and light, the installation created a poignant journey through history. In keeping with its socially conscious message, materials from Lumen Drift will be donated to the social enterprise Matt + Fiona, with structural elements repurposed for use in Jestico + Whiles’ studio.
The highly anticipated [d]arc thoughts talks programme, sponsored by David Village Lighting, also returned to the House of Detention, with arc hosting conversations with the likes of Conran and Partners, Concrete Amsterdam, dpa lighting consultants, and more. The former Clerkenwell prison also served as the backdrop for the official launch of Stories with Light, a new book written by acclaimed UK lighting designer, Michael Grubb and journalist Francis Pearce. Hosted by [d]arc media, the event was supported by Applelec and GENLED Acolyte, who also provided illuminated illustrations from the book.
Described by its authors as a “cabinet of curiosities”, the book blended storytelling, scientific insights, and cultural commentary to explore light’s multifaceted role in shaping our world, from the everyday to the extraordinary. During a relaxed Q&A session, Grubb and Pearce shared their inspiration for the project and reflected on the unexpected intersections between lighting, design, and human experience. Although not intended to be an “academic” book, it took five years to complete as the pair got lost in their fascination and commitment to delivering truths from the world of light. The book launch finished with an informal drinks party, where fellow designers and industry professionals gathered to celebrate the launch.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 was once again a celebration of design in all its forms – both inclusive and, above all, thoughtful. From thought-provoking panels, immersive installations, and celebratory moments with the likes of Stories with Light, the week offered a reminder of how design connects us all through collaboration, curiosity, and the ability to challenge the status quo. For arc, it was a privilege to help facilitate these conversations and champion the designers and ideas pushing the industry forward.
Electrolight win coveted IALD Radiance Award
(USA) – The winners of the 2025 IALD International Lighting Design Awards were presented in a ceremony at the Sahara Resort in Las Vegas this month.
The winner of the highest honour, the Radiance Award for Excellence in Lighting Design, was presented to Muru Giligu – Metro Martin Place Pedestrian Link, designed by Electrolight.
Muru Giligu, an innovative Australian project designed by the Sydney-based studio, stood out for its exceptional integration of lighting design with architecture, creating a transformative experience for pedestrians in the urban environment.
Marking its 42nd annual edition of the IALD awards, more than 200 lighting professionals attended to recognise 19 lighting design projects for their extraordinary design. This year’s competition spanned its winners across eight countries, with 13 of the winners including IALD members.
Hosting the awards was Chairperson Uno Lai, IALD, CLD. Lai says: “Our winners represent the pinnacle of lighting design creativity and technical execution. The diversity in projects from across the globe demonstrates how lighting design continues to evolve and enhance our built environment in meaningful ways.”
Other winners include:
- The Palace Theatre, New York – Fisher Marantz Stone
- Artyzen New Bund 31, Shanghai – Brandston Partnership Inc.
- DJI Flagship Store, Shenzhen – Grant Sight Design International
- Seattle Convention Centre Summit Building, Seattle – HLB Lighting Design
- The Luce Memorial Chapel, Taichung City – CosmoC
- The OWO, London – dpa lighting consultants
- Second Nagoya Sanco Building, Japan – Sirius Lighting Office
- Tranquil Downtown Spa, Beijing – L.B.D. Design Technology Co.
- Koto Dining, Canverra – Electrolight
- The Temple of Poseidon, Southion – Eleftheria Deko & Associates Lighting Design
- Church & Courtyard Restoration, Chengdu – DOV Design / CDN Lighting
- New Bund 31vPerforming Arts Centre, Shanghai – Brandston Inc
- Current, Columbus – Zinkon Creative Studio
- Transmerica Pyramid Centre, San Francisco – L’Obervatoire International
- The Matheson, Healdsburg – Electrolight
- Oxman Studio, New York – Tillotson Design Associates
- WNDR Hotel, Jiaxing – Brandston Partnership Inc
- Paris 2024 Olympic Games Village, Paris – Concepto
Is Beauty a Building Block?
https://vimeo.com/showcase/11485671/video/1034344534
Speaker: Martina Frattura, Founder, The Beauty Movement
Lighting Designer Martina Frattura explores the relationship between beauty and light, while addressing the contemporary relevance of aesthetics in the built environment
Liz West’s exhibition transforms The Mercer Art Gallery
(UK) – British artist Liz West brings a new light exhibition to Harrogate’s The Mercer Art Gallery, inspired by West’s experience with Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD.
H.A.P.P.Y is a counterbalance to West’s personal experience of S.A.D. She experiments with colour and light to create environments that inspire joy and curiosity, and the exhibition runs through the Spring and Summer, a time when West is at her happiest.
At the heart of the exhibition is ‘Our Colour Reflection’, an immersive artwork composed of 765 multi-coloured mirrored discs arranged across the floor, transforming its environment into a vibrant spectacle of shifting colour and luminosity.
Harnessing both natural and artificial light to create an ever-changing landscape of reflections, the mirrors bounce colour onto walls, ceilings, and viewers themselves, encouraging interaction and personal interpretation. As visitors move through the space, their perspectives shift, revealing new combinations of colour and light in an absorbing sensory encounter.
West says: “It’s a great pleasure to be exhibiting my work at The Mercer Art Gallery. I have visited this beautiful spa town many times over the years whilst growing up in Yorkshire. With the window coverings in the elegant Spa Promenade Room being removed for the first time in decades, the interplay of colour and light within the space will be kaleidoscopic and dynamic.”
Curator at The Mercer Gallery, Karen Southbank, adds: “Liz’s work encourages us to become aware of our surroundings in new ways. It leads us to tune into our own emotional responses, memories, and experiences – each person will have an individual and personal reaction. We’re thrilled to host Liz West’s work at The Mercer, it’s a major artist event in North Yorkshire.”
H.A.P.PY will be on display at The Mercer Gallery from 13 April – 5 October 2025. For more information and tickets, click here.
Panel Discussion to explore ‘Design in Balance’ at CDW
(UK) – Design in Balance will take place on 21 May at the Senator Allermuir, focusing on the intersection of aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability in contemporary design.
The event is presented in partnership between Artemide and [d]arc media and will feature contributions from a range of professionals across architecture, art, and lighting design:
- Karen Cook, Architect, Spice Design
- Liz West, Artist
- Victoria Jerram, Lighting Designer, Victoria Jerram Lighting Design
- Clementine Fletcher-Smith (Rodgers), Lighting Designer, Speirs Major Light Architecture
The conversation will be moderated by Helen Ankers, Managing Editor at [d]arc media.
The panel aims to explore how different aspects of design – beauty, usability, performance, and sustainability – can be integrated to create more balanced outcomes.
The event is open to registered attendees, and RSVPs are required via email to marketing@artemideuk.com. Light refreshments will be provided following the discussion.
Alongside the talk with Artemide, [d]arc media will be running a full talks programme at the House of Detention from 20–22 May for its third consecutive year. The programme brings together designers, architects, and lighting professionals to explore the relationship between light and interior design. Curated by the team at [d]arc media, the talks, sponsored by David Village Lighting, are free to attend.
Explore the full CDW programme here
For all events and talks, attendees must be registered for Clerkenwell Design Week: Register Here
IALD Southern Europe celebrates the International Day
(Europe) – International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) is set to celebrate International Day of Light on 14 May with a multi-city, Pecha Kucha event, connecting five cities in one night.
Lighting professionals and educators from Porto, Madrid, Milan, Pula, and Athens will come together, both in person and online, for a night of sharing fast-paced storytelling and shared experiences.
Organised by the coordinators and the LIRC Ambassador of the IALD Southern Europe Chapter, alongside local volunteers and sponsors, the event embraces the Pecha Kucha format - 20 minutes and 20 seconds per slide. Exploring the theme “The 10 Worst Things That Happened to You in Lighting”, speakers will share real moments from their professional journeys – some unexpected, some humorous, all insightful – showing how even the toughest situations can spark creativity, resilience, and growth.
Thanks to the support of O/M, Varona, iGuzzini, LED Luks, and Luun, participants will join live events in person or connect online via Zoom. The event is free of charge, and early registration is encouraged, as seats are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more details and to register, visit https://bit.ly/SEU_PechaKucha
ATEA and Arup win [d]arc awards installation competition
(UK) – The winner of this year’s highly anticipated [d]arc awards installation competition has been announced: ‘Ten Years in Neon’, a striking collaboration between ATEA and Arup.
Created to mark 10 years of the [d]arc awards, the installation reflects on social, political, and cultural shifts of the past decade. Drawing inspiration from the storytelling format of the Bayeux Tapestry, the piece reinterpreted modern history through a continuous narrative of neon.
From global protests and climate crises to moments of collective joy and resilience, the installation weaved these themes into a luminous tapestry of colour and form. Initially presenting as a vibrant pop-art piece, it gradually revealed deeper layers of meaning, prompting reflection on the pride, sorrow, hope, and anxiety that have shaped recent memory.
Part of the annual [d]arc awards celebration, which this year took place in Woolwich, London – the installation competition continues to be one of the most exciting and creative showcases in architectural lighting. The 2025 edition saw a dynamic range of submissions from talented design teams, all of whom transformed the venue into their creations of light, energy, and imagination.
Other installations from the night included:
Rako Controls & AE7 – The Voyage So Far
Unibox & Buro Happold – The Choice
Radiant Architectural Lighting & dpa lighting consultants – Piece of Cake
Kingfisher & Foster + Partners – Puzzle
Signify & Hoare Lea – [d]ecastrike.
Lutron & Jan Erika – X
formalighting & Michael Grubb Studio – TEN-tacles
Tryka & Nulty – Pendula
Vivalyte & Speirs Major Light Architecture – Power of Ten
Artemide & WSP – Reflexions
[d]arc media to host Stories of Light book launch at CDW
(UK) – As part of Clerkenwell Design Week 2025, [d]arc media will host the official launch of Stories with Light, a new book by lighting designer Michael Grubb and journalist Francis Pearce.
The event will take place on Wednesday, 21 May at 17:00 in the House of Detention. Supported by Applelec in partnership with GENLED Acolyte, the event will include a Q&A session with the authors, followed by an informal drinks reception. The launch forms part of the [d]arc thoughts talks programme, presented in collaboration with David Village Lighting.
Described by its authors as a "cabinet of curiosities", the book blends anecdotes, historical facts, and scientific insight to reveal the many surprising ways light intersects with design, culture, and daily life. It is intended for a broad audience – from designers and students to anyone curious about the world through the lens of light.
Attendance at the event is free for Clerkenwell Design Week visitors, but registration via the official CDW platform is required. Guests are also required to RSVP Here for catering purposes.
For more information visit clerkenwelldesignweek.com or follow [d]arc media for updates.
Zaha Hadid Architects + Erco to host Inclusive Design talk
(UK) – arc magazine’s Editor Matt Waring to moderate an engaging talk that examines the process of creating inclusive spaces.
[d]arc media is delighted to be collaborating with Zaha Hadid Architects and Erco, on a special evening event during Clerkenwell Design Week, dedicated to the process of creating inclusive spaces.
Join us at Zaha Hadid Architects Gallery from 6pm on Tuesday 20 May, for an insightful discussion with leading industry experts Amy Rennie from Buro Happold, Katie Gaudion from The Royal College of Art, Bidisha Sinha from Zaha Hadid Architects, and Jim Ashley-Down from Erco.
Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in attending, please book your slot here or contact rsvp.uk@erco.com
In Conversation with Frankie Boyle
https://vimeo.com/showcase/11485671/video/1034341689
Frankie Boyle delves into the inspiration and products powering Intra-spectrum, as she sat down for an exclusive Q&A with [d]arc media managing editor Helen Ankers.
Foundry wins big at the [d]arc awards 2024
(Global) – UK lighting design studio Foundry wins two accolades for the Thames City project, including the Spaces category and the prestigious Best of the Best.
The 2024 [d]arc awards saw 1518 independent designers take part in voting this year – meaning a total of 19,734 individual votes were cast!
Winners were announced on Thursday 24 April at Fireworks Factory, London, where the [d]arc awards celebrated not only the best peer-voted lighting designs of 2024 but also a decade of celebrating achievements in lighting. The event once again drew big support from the design industry, with just under 600 attendees on the night.
The milestone event was marked in style with a decadent dress code, a variety of food vendors sponsored by SGM, free bars sponsored by Lucent and LEDFlex, and the premiere screening of the [d]arc awards 10th anniversary documentary, with complementary popcorn supplied by Casambi.
The awards were once again supplied by Applelec, this year featuring a special 10th anniversary design and warmer colour temperature to tie in with the theme of decadence.
The full list of category winners includes:
- Structures – Low Budget sponsored by Pharos Controls: Temple of Poseidon, Greece by Eleftheria Deko & Associates Lighting Design
- Structures – High Budget sponsored by Pharos Controls: Vela di Calatrava, Italy by Dolce E Luce Lighting Design Studio
- Places – Low Budget sponsored by Lutron: House in Hayamiya, Japan by Sirius Lighting Office
- Places – High Budget sponsored by Lutron: 2nd Nagoya Sanco Building, Japan by Sirius Lighting Office
- Spaces sponsored by Light Graphix & Best of the Best- Thames City, UK by Foundry from an initial masterplan by Equation Lighting
- Art – Low Budget: Kaleidoscape, Thailand by Ambiguous
- Art – High Budget: Light Cycles Kyoto, Japan by Moment Factory
- Art – Bespoke: Duo, UK by Melek Zeynep Studio with LAB.1 Lighting Design
- Event: Summer Lantern Festival 2024 – Light Dance Moon River, Taiwan by Fundesign Studio
- Kit – Architectural Interior: Nano Tini i – DGA
- Kit – Architectural Exterior: Cu-Pip – Stoane Lighting
- Kit – Decorative: Nebula collection – Patrizia Volpato
- Kit – Technology: Colour Calibration – Tryka
Best of the Best winner, Thames City, is a major revitalisation of 10 acres of former industrial land in London’s Nine Elms area. The project introduces a landmark, residential-led, mixed-use development featuring a network of landscaped courtyards, podium gardens, and an expansive linear park. Designed to support active lifestyles and community wellbeing.
The lighting strategy emphasises the natural textures, seasonal colours, and movements of the environment, encouraging visitors to engage with the surroundings. Much of the lighting is positioned at low heights to create an intimate atmosphere, with key circulation routes lit via columns and highlighted stonework and foliage, ensuring both functionality and visual enhancement after dark.
Another key highlight of the evening was the installation competition, which saw manufacturers create sustainable and engaging light art installations. Voting for the best installation will take place online this week.
Installations from the night include:
Rako Controls & AE7 – The Voyage So Far
ATEA & Arup – Ten Years in Neon
Unibox & Buro Happold – The Choice
Radiant Architectural Lighting & dpa lighting consultants – Piece of Cake
Kingfisher & Foster + Partners – Puzzle
Signify & Hoare Lea – [d]ecastrike
Lutron & Jan Erika – X
formalighting & Michael Grubb Studio – TEN-tacles
Tryka & Nulty – Pendula
Vivalyte & Speirs Major Light Architecture – Power of Ten
Artemide & WSP – Reflexions
Awards party attendees are encouraged to keep an eye on their inboxes this week for a voting email.
