What Designheure does

Designheure is a French designer-manufacturer of contemporary professional lighting fixtures, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Sète, France. The company designs, develops, and produces 20+ distinct lighting collections — including architectural pieces (Tower, Mobula, Mozaik, NéNuphar), decorative pendants (Kimono, Moon, Paris-Hanoï), and an acoustic lighting line — all manufactured in its Sète workshop with a localised supply chain (88% French suppliers, 60% regional to Sète). Products combine textile, acoustic-absorbing, and noble materials (wood, marble, Limoges porcelain) and are engineered for modularity, repairability, and nested transport to reduce environmental footprint.

The company sells primarily through a B2B specifier-led model targeting architects, interior designers, decorators, and hospitality operators, supported by a dedicated Espace Prescripteur programme that provides 3D tools, samples, training, and customisation services (Sur-Mesure colours for minimum 6-unit orders, size adjustments, and bespoke design studies with 4-6 week lead times). Distribution combines direct showrooms in Sète and Paris, an own e-commerce storefront, the Ydesign/Lumens exclusive online partnership for the US market, and active presence at 10+ international trade fairs per year including Architect@Work, Euroluce, Light & Building, ICFF, Maison & Objet, and 100% Design London.

The customer base spans enterprise hospitality (Châteauform', Radisson Blu, Oceania Hotels Group as a privileged recurring partner), government/diplomatic (French Embassy in Qatar), media (BBC), retail (Asteri Home, Keilhauer Showroom), and high-end residential projects, with a secondary push into tertiary/office workspaces via the acoustic lighting range. The company is independently held as a Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) by co-founders Bénédicte Collod and Jean-Baptiste Collod, with no external venture capital, private equity, or institutional investment disclosed. Designheure is a founding member of the Luminaire Durable collective and has held 13-year patronage of the Théâtre Molière de Sète, reinforcing its positioning around French craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural engagement.

Name

Designheure

Legal name

DesignHeure SAS

Website

https://designheure.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Designheure is a French designer-manufacturer of contemporary professional lighting fixtures, founded in 2005, serving architects, interior designers, and hospitality specifiers worldwide through 20+ customisable, made-in-France lighting collections.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural & Decorative Lighting Fixtures

NAICS

Residential Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335131), Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Professional lighting fixtures
• Architectural lighting design
• Acoustic lighting solutions
• Custom lighting manufacturing
• Hospitality lighting

Headquarters

HQ city

Sète

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. B2B Lighting Fixtures Sales: Designheure manufactures and sells contemporary decorative lighting fixtures (pendant lamps, chandeliers, wall lamps, floor lamps, table lamps) directly to architects, interior designers, and specifiers in the hospitality and contract sectors. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales, with ongoing after-sales service and customisation revenues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Designheure designs, manufactures, and sells contemporary decorative and architectural lighting fixtures—pendant lamps, chandeliers, wall lamps, floor lamps, and table lamps—from its 100% French workshop in Sète. The portfolio includes 20+ collections (Tower, Mobula, Mozaik, Nénuphar, Kimono, Eau de Lumière, etc.) with proprietary acoustic luminaires, modular and customisable construction, and bespoke Sur-Mesure services for colours, sizes, and design studies targeting architects, interior designers, and hospitality specifiers.

Product overview

Designheure is a French designer-manufacturer of contemporary professional lighting fixtures, founded in 2005, serving architects and specifiers in the international hospitality sector. The company offers 20+ distinct lighting collections including acoustic luminaires (Tower, Mobula, Mozaik, Nénuphar), decorative pendants (Kimono, Moon, Paris-Hanoï, Fleur de Kaolin), architectural pieces (Cargo, Nuage, Lightbook), and fashion-forward designs (Couture, Arto). All products are 100% made in France with customization services including custom colors (minimum 6 units), size adjustments, and bespoke design studies. The portfolio also includes tools for specifiers (3D resources) and supports projects from hospitality (hotels, restaurants) to offices and residential spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tower Collection A collection of vertically stacked lampshades directly inspired by New York Art Deco towers, creating luminous architecture that redefines interior spaces. Designed for architects and specifiers working on hospitality and contract projects.
• Mobula Collection An organic, airy acoustic lighting design inspired by marine environments, optimised for workspaces and living areas with focus on concentration, acoustic comfort, and well-being.
• Mozaik Collection An architectural modular collection serving as both light fixture and partition panel, creating luminous surfaces that cascade like meteor showers with infinite customisation possibilities. Designed for architects and contract projects.
• Eau de Lumière Collection A sculptural collection inspired by fine perfumery, combining noble materials including wood, marble, and fabrics to create refined lighting for high-end hospitality and residential spaces.
• Nénuphar Collection A light sculpture combining indirect LED lighting with compact depth, modular and adjustable through 360 degrees for total creative freedom in architectural spaces.
• Kimono Collection A range of pendant lights using fabric to evoke the fluidity and graphic lines of traditional Japanese clothing, designed for high-end hospitality and editorial interiors.
• Moon Collection Inspired by the moon, playing on curves and diffusion of soft, enveloping light for serene spaces in hospitality and residential projects.
• Reef Collection Inspired by underwater structures with complex organic design where light appears to escape from a living form, suited to hospitality and feature interiors.
• Shield Collection A graphic collection playing on protection and reflection of light with clean, modern, and timeless lines for contemporary architectural projects.
• Paris-Hanoï Collection A generously proportioned design reinterpreting the Vietnamese conical hat using raffia for an elegant natural touch, suited to hospitality and statement interiors.
• Fleur de Kaolin Collection A jewel-like fixture celebrating exceptional craftsmanship using Limoges porcelain for soft, precious light diffusion in high-end interiors.
• Cargo Collection Echoing legendary smokestacks of ocean liners with bold, pure geometric forms representing precision craftsmanship in lampshade design.
• Nuage Collection An ingenious portable lighting concept with triangular silhouette evoking a ship prow, featuring pure lines and graphic textile cords.
• Lightbook Collection A soft, curved lamp designed for the intimacy of libraries and narrow spaces, slipping between books for diffused, elegant light.
• Couture Collection Bold bow-tie-shaped lampshades inspired by luxury and dandyism, transforming light fixtures into sophisticated fashion accessories for high-end hospitality.
• Sylva Collection Celebrating plant essence with purity, authenticity, and durability, infusing spaces with organic softness evoking forest serenity.
• Twiggy Collection An exploration of verticality with slender shades configurable as monumental chandeliers or single pendant lights with LED spotlight option.
• Arto Collection Cheerful, graphic design drawing inspiration from Memphis and Pop Art movements with contrasting shapes creating dynamic visual signatures.
• Années Folles Collection An Art Deco spirit reinterpretation offering custom signage possibilities combining aesthetics and functionality in unique wall sconces for hospitality.
• Luxiole Collection Inspired by Italian coffee pot facets combining natural beech and cast aluminium with coloured textile cables for hospitality and residential spaces.
• Escale Collection A hotel wall sconce with integrated USB port combining sleek design with modern functionality for travellers in hospitality settings.
• Acoustic Lighting Collection Sound-absorbing luminaires combining sculptural shapes and absorbent materials to improve workplace comfort and quality of life, targeting architects and specifiers for offices, hotels, and tertiary spaces.
• Sur-Mesure Custom Colour & Finish Service Custom-made colours for lamp shades and textile cords with a minimum order of 6 units per finish and 4-6 week delivery lead time, available to specifiers and project buyers.
• Size Adjustment Service Bespoke size modifications to existing collections to meet specific project dimensions, delivered through engineering studies and provided on quote.
• Specific Design Studies (Bespoke Design Service) Custom design development for monumental, atypical, or budget-specific architectural lighting projects, handled through the Espace Prescripteur programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of purchases from French suppliers; 60% of these from the local region surrounding Sète; only 12% from neighbouring European countries.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Luminaire Durable CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignheure is a founding member of the Luminaire Durable collective, which brings together French lighting manufacturers committed to a circular and inclusive economy.
• Sète AgglopôleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSète Agglopôle provided partial financial support for the extension of Designheure's production workshop, showroom, and offices.
• Région OccitanieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRégion Occitanie provided partial financial support for the extension of Designheure's production workshop, showroom, and offices.
• Théâtre Molière de SètecoreOthersDesignheure has been a patron (mécène) of the Théâtre Molière de Sète, a National Theater, for 13 years, supporting its renovation and the vitality of live performance. In 2025 (20th anniversary year), Designheure performed a patronage in kind.
• Part de Rêve (Bertrand Letourneur & Jean-Yves Guillet)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart de Rêve is a design studio that collaborated with Designheure to create the 2025 acoustic lighting collection and other products. The studio specializes in the hospitality sector and creates high-end lighting fixtures with distinctive lines, transforming lighting into an architectural structure.
• Delta LightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignheure hosted a joint open day and cocktail evening at its Sète headquarters with Delta Light, bringing together architects and decorators for discussions on layout, lighting design, and interior design.
• RESISTUB ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint event hosted at Designheure's Paris showroom to unveil latest collections to hospitality professionals and press.
• Oceania Hotels GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOngoing privileged partnership for hotel lighting installations across the Oceania Hotels group.
• LEMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership at Euroluce 2019 trade fair in Milan.
• Ydesign Group / LumensminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive online partnership with Ydesign Group (Lumens) for distribution in the USA market.
• CollinetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced in 2017 for a joint presence at trade events.
• MoissonnierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for collaborative interior design projects.
• Pierre FreyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEditorial collaboration: Kimono collection suspensions displayed against Pierre Frey wallpaper, an association of French publishers paying homage to Japanese culture.
• Figure3 (Architecture Firm)minorOthersArchitecture firm that designed the Keilhauer New York showroom using Designheure's Grand Tower suspension.
• PublicisLiveminorOthersPartnership with PublicisLive for the World Economic Forum 2017, providing lighting installations for the event.
• YNOV Campus MontpellierminorOthersHosted interior architecture Bachelor students for a professional visit of Designheure's showroom and Sète manufacturing workshops.
• Pôle Action OccitanieminorOthersOrganised a group visit of interior architects to Designheure's Sète showroom and production facilities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Moooi: Dutch designer lighting and furniture brand known for bold, statement decorative fixtures, distributed through design retailers, specifiers, and hospitality projects globally. Comparable to Designheure in design-led, decorator-and-specifier focused positioning and decorative lighting category, but at a much larger scale with stronger brand awareness.
• Artemide: Italian global leader in designer architectural and decorative lighting, with strong design collaborations and a global specifier/sales network. Comparable to Designheure in target channel and product aesthetic, but operating at a much larger scale with full architectural-lighting system offerings.
• Foscarini: Italian contemporary designer lighting manufacturer serving architects and specifiers with decorative and architectural fixtures. Highly comparable to Designheure in target customer (architects, interior designers) and product category (designer decorative lighting), but at a materially larger scale with broader international distribution.
• Vibia: Spanish premium contemporary lighting manufacturer focused on architectural and decorative fixtures for hospitality, residential, and contract projects, with a strong international specifier sales force. Comparable to Designheure in target customer, project-led B2B model, and contemporary design aesthetic, but at a larger scale with broader global coverage.
• Flos: Iconic Italian premium designer lighting brand with a deep catalogue of architectural and decorative fixtures, strong design-house DNA, and a global specifier and retail presence. Highly comparable to Designheure in design-led positioning, designer collaborations, and B2B specifier channel, but at significantly larger scale and broader category coverage.

Direct peers

• CVL Luminaires: French manufacturer of contemporary decorative lighting fixtures in brass and other noble materials, supplying contract and residential projects through a specifier network. Direct peer to Designheure — same geography, similar size, same specifier-driven B2B model, and comparable premium positioning.
• Marset: Spanish contemporary decorative lighting manufacturer with a strong design portfolio, sold through architects, interior designers, and design retailers. Comparable to Designheure in product category, design-led positioning, and international B2B specifier channel, with similar scale and Mediterranean design heritage.
• Tom Dixon: British designer lighting and furniture brand producing premium decorative pendants, floor, and table lamps with strong design IP, sold through design retailers, specifiers, and hospitality projects. Comparable to Designheure in design-led positioning, decorative lighting category, and specifier channel, with similar scale and project-led commercial model.
• Penta Light: Italian contemporary decorative lighting manufacturer producing designer pendants, floor, table, and wall lamps, serving the hospitality and high-end residential markets. Comparable to Designheure in product category (decorative contemporary lighting), target customers (specifiers, hospitality), and Mediterranean design heritage, with a similar mid-market premium scale.
• Forestier: French designer lighting brand producing decorative pendant, floor, and table lamps with a poetic, nature-inspired aesthetic, sold through specifiers and design retailers. Directly comparable to Designheure in geography (France), target customer (specifiers, design-conscious consumers), and product category (decorative designer lighting).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks8 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Designheure-102967323183793
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/designheure
• Instagraminstagram.com/designheureofficiel

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Designheure