A commercial space can have the best furniture, finishes and fit-out in London and still feel wrong if the lighting is not right. Commercial lighting design is the process of specifying, positioning and commissioning light sources to achieve the precise visual environment a space requires: the right lux levels at the working plane, the right colour temperature for the activity, the right balance of ambient, task and accent light for the user experience.
Our lighting design service covers new builds, major refurbishments and any project where a generic off-the-shelf layout will not do. We work with architects, interior designers, main contractors and direct clients across offices, retail, hospitality, healthcare and education in London.
What Commercial Lighting Design Involves
Initial Brief and Site Analysis
Every design project starts with a briefing session in which we establish the purpose of the space, the activities that will take place there, the desired atmosphere and any brand or architectural constraints. For occupied buildings we carry out a measured survey to confirm ceiling heights, structural grid, existing services routes and natural light sources.
DIALux Lux Calculations
We use DIALux lighting simulation software to model every space before specifying a single fitting. DIALux calculates maintained illuminance levels at the working plane, luminance ratios, glare indices and daylight contribution from windows and rooflights. The output is a false-colour lux plot showing illuminance distribution across the floor and work surfaces, confirming that every zone meets the relevant CIBSE recommendation.
CIBSE Guidelines
CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) publishes illuminance recommendations in its Lighting Guides. Key targets include 500 lux for general office work, 300 lux for retail sales areas, 200 lux for restaurant dining areas and 750 lux for technical drawing and precision work. Our designs confirm these targets are met consistently across the space, not just at a single measurement point.
AutoCAD Layout Plans
Once the DIALux model is validated, we produce AutoCAD lighting layout drawings showing fitting positions, circuit groupings, switch and sensor locations and any dimming control zones. These drawings are issued for client approval and then used by our installation team and by the building's M&E consultant where one is involved. All drawings are issued in PDF and DWG format.
The Lighting Design Process
Stage 1: Concept
We translate the brief into a lighting concept showing the relationship between ambient, task and accent layers, proposed colour temperatures, and any decorative or architectural lighting elements. For hospitality and retail projects this stage includes rendered visualisations so you can see how the scheme will look before any decisions are finalised.
Stage 2: Detail Design
Product schedules are prepared with manufacturer references, wattages, lumen outputs, CRI ratings and photometric data. DIALux calculations are run for each space and the results are cross-checked against CIBSE targets. Any conflicts between luminaire positions and structural or services elements are resolved at this stage.
Stage 3: Installation
Our own NICEIC approved installation team carries out all first and second fix wiring, fitting installation, dimming and sensor control commissioning. Using our own engineers rather than subcontractors means the people who produced the design are the people responsible for delivering it on site. Any last-minute adjustments are made on the day of commissioning rather than left to a contractor interpreting a drawing.
Stage 4: Commissioning and Handover
After installation, every circuit and control zone is tested and confirmed against the design intent. We produce a commissioning record, an as-built drawing set reflecting any on-site changes, and an operation and maintenance manual. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and a full handover pack.
Types of Spaces We Design For
Office Lighting Design
Open-plan offices require careful attention to unified glare rating (UGR) to protect screen workers, combined with adequate vertical illuminance for face-to-face communication. We design for activity-based working environments, cellular offices, meeting rooms, reception areas and breakout zones, specifying DALI dimming and scene-setting controls where the brief requires them.
Retail and Hospitality Lighting Design
In retail and hospitality, lighting is part of the customer experience. We design schemes that balance commercial objectives (products must look their best) with operational constraints (energy budgets, maintenance access, refit flexibility). For hotel restaurants, bars and leisure venues we integrate colour-tunable LED and DMX control systems for full scene flexibility.
Industrial and Warehouse Lighting Design
Industrial design prioritises lux compliance, energy performance and maintenance access. We model every warehouse against CIBSE LG1 targets, specify sensor controls for energy management and produce layouts that accommodate high-level access equipment for lamp replacement across the system's full service life.
Why Choose Our Lighting Design Service
Our designers hold current CIBSE membership and are experienced in preparing designs for planning submissions, building regulation applications and BREEAM assessments. All our DIALux models are retained and can be updated if the space layout changes after installation. We are a single point of contact from initial brief to final handover, with no handoff between a design consultant and a separate installer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between lighting design and just buying fittings?
Lighting design is the process of specifying the correct fitting type, wattage, beam angle, colour temperature and position for each zone in a space, based on lux calculations and the CIBSE recommended illuminance for the activity taking place. Buying fittings without a design often produces uneven light levels, glare problems and either under-lit or over-lit areas.
Do you provide rendered visualisations before installation?
Yes. For retail, hospitality and any project with a significant aesthetic component we produce rendered images showing the lit appearance of the space before any fittings are ordered. This allows you to review and adjust the scheme without cost or delay.
What CIBSE standards do you design to?
We design to CIBSE Lighting Guide LG3 (areas for visual display work), LG5 (lighting for education), LG7 (offices), and the SLL Lighting Handbook (2018 edition) depending on the space type. All designs confirm minimum maintained illuminance, uniformity ratios and UGR limits appropriate to the use.
Can you produce a lighting design as part of a planning application?
Yes. For external lighting schemes in conservation areas or areas where light spill is a planning consideration, we produce obtrusive light calculations to the Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP) guidance notes and include these in the planning submission package.
What is DALI lighting control and do I need it?
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a digital control protocol that allows individual luminaires or groups of luminaires to be dimmed and scene-set from a central controller or building management system. It is the most flexible and future-proof control system for offices, retail and hospitality. We recommend DALI for any project with multiple zones or where the lighting needs to adapt to different activities or times of day.