Inverse Lighting Design
Independent, fee-based architectural lighting design consultancy with studios in London, Bangkok, and Hong Kong, serving architects, interior designers, and end-clients on luxury hospitality, retail, restaurant, corporate, cultural, residential, and exterior projects globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Inverse Lighting Design does
Inverse Lighting Design is an independent architectural lighting design consultancy headquartered in London, with additional studios in Bangkok and Hong Kong. The firm provides fee-based lighting design services — concept development, lighting scheme design, luminaire and lighting control specification — to architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and direct end-clients across roughly 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and Oceania. Its primary segment is luxury hospitality, where it has built a portfolio spanning Aman, Park Hyatt, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, FIVE Hotels, RYSE Autograph Collection, Viceroy, The Londoner, and others; it also serves upscale retail (Lane Crawford, Galeries Lafayette, Ports 1961, Siam Discovery), restaurants and bars (Lord Jim's, Sound Club, ÉPURE), corporate offices (Deutsche Bank, P&G, USAID, GSK), cultural venues (M+ Museum, Riverside Museum), residences, and building exteriors (Port House Antwerp).
The firm differentiates itself by refusing to sell fixtures or to accept manufacturer commissions, instead offering purely fee-based impartial advice. Technical capabilities include concealed integrated lighting, design for high-ceiling and complex multi-function spaces, and advanced simulation work using 1:30 scale models and 1:1 mockups to validate facade and large-space lighting before installation. Directors are directly involved on all projects, supported by a team with multidisciplinary backgrounds in architecture, engineering, and theatrical lighting design.
Commercially, Inverse operates as a professional services consultancy with an enterprise field-sales motion, engaging directly with design teams and owners on individual commissions rather than via product sales or licensing. Marketing is conducted primarily through an extensive online project portfolio, sustained coverage in design press (Dezeen, Wallpaper*, Darc, Lighting Magazine, Sleeper), and a track record of wins at the Lighting Design Awards, DALI Lighting Awards, Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, and Design for Asia Awards. The firm is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or institutional investors.
Inverse Lighting Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Inverse Lighting Design
- Legal name
- Inverse Lighting Design
- Website
- https://inverselighting.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Independent, fee-based architectural lighting design consultancy with studios in London, Bangkok, and Hong Kong, serving architects, interior designers, and end-clients on luxury hospitality, retail, restaurant, corporate, cultural, residential, and exterior projects globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Inverse Lighting Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Lighting Design Services
- NAICS
- Interior Design Services (54141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lighting Design Services (BPAHAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Landscape Lighting Design & Layout (HSAIAHAA), Outdoor & Area Lighting (Street, Roadway, Parking, Flood, Sports/Architectural exterior) (IMAGAIAB)
Keywords
Where Inverse Lighting Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Inverse Lighting Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Fee-Based Lighting Design Consultancy: Income derived purely from fee-based consulting work. The firm does not offer 'design and supply' services or hide fees in the supply of fixtures and fittings. Fee proposals are realistic and fair, providing impartial advice working solely for client benefit.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Inverse Lighting Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Inverse Lighting Design is an independent consultancy that provides fee-based architectural lighting design services for hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, leisure venues, corporate offices, residential projects, and exterior facades. The firm develops lighting concepts, schemes, and luminaire/control system specifications, working directly with architects, interior designers, and end clients through its London, Bangkok, and Hong Kong studios.
Product overview
Inverse Lighting Design is an independent architectural lighting design consultancy offering a range of lighting design services. The company provides specialized lighting design for hotels, restaurants, bars, retail spaces, leisure facilities, corporate offices, exterior landscapes, and residential projects. The service offering includes concept development, lighting scheme design, and specification of lamps, luminaires, and lighting control systems. The company operates with offices in London, Bangkok, and Hong Kong, working independently without selling lighting equipment to ensure impartial advice to clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Lighting Design Services Independent, fee-based architectural lighting design consultancy service covering concept development, lighting schemes, luminaire specification, and lighting control system design for hospitality, retail, corporate, residential, and exterior projects.
- Hotel and Resort Lighting Design Lighting design consultancy tailored for hotels and resorts, including guest rooms, lobbies, spas, ballrooms, and exterior facades.
- Restaurant and Bar Lighting Design Specialized lighting design consultancy for restaurants and bars, creating atmospheric and functional lighting solutions for dining establishments.
- Retail Lighting Design Lighting design consultancy for retail spaces, including flagship stores and shopping centers.
- Leisure and Entertainment Lighting Design Lighting design consultancy for leisure facilities including nightclubs, health clubs, and entertainment venues.
- Corporate Office Lighting Design Lighting design consultancy for corporate offices and commercial buildings.
- Exterior and Landscape Lighting Design Exterior architectural and landscape lighting design consultancy for building facades and outdoor spaces.
- Residential Lighting Design Lighting design consultancy for private residences and residential developments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Completed entire exterior lighting design project (Port House Antwerp) in four months from concept to commissioning
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Inverse Lighting Design
Customer profileNamed customers26 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Inverse Lighting Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Inverse Lighting Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, recurring and minor.
- Yabu PushelbergcoreLong-standing collaborative relationship with interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg on multiple luxury hotel projects including Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait, Aman Residences Tokyo, Ports 1961 Shanghai, Brama West Tower Beijing, and other high-profile projects. Inverse works closely with Yabu Pushelberg to create sophisticated lighting designs that complement their interior concepts.
- Nendo (Japanese Design Studio)majorCollaboration with Nendo on Siam Discovery Bangkok renovation. Nendo completely remodelled the 40,000 m² mall interior and Inverse undertook extensive facade lighting work to create a transparent envelope with dynamic exterior lighting.
- Zaha Hadid ArchitectscoreCollaborated with Zaha Hadid Architects on the Port House Antwerp (Havenhuis) project - the new landmark headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority. Close collaboration resulted in a dignified and distinctive exterior lighting scheme visible from Antwerp's trendiest nightspots.
- Zaha Hadid ArchitectscorePartnership on Riverside Museum Glasgow - Inverse Lighting designed the interior, exterior and landscape lighting of Zaha Hadid's landmark museum, finding an elegant way to emphasize its distinctive roof geometry.
- Orbit Design StudiorecurringRepeated collaboration with Orbit Design Studio on projects including Virgin Active Empire Tower Bangkok and Sound Club Phuket (winner of Lighting Design Awards 2010).
- Gross Max (Landscape Architecture)minorCollaboration with Gross Max on Riverside Museum Glasgow landscape architecture, where dimmable linear fluorescent in soft landscaping accentuates the building's geometry.
- Amanda Levete ArchitectscorePartnership with AL_A (Amanda Levete Architects) on Park Hyatt Bangkok, creating lighting design that complemented the innovative architectural approach.
- Bensley DesignmajorCollaboration on Four Seasons Chiang Mai where Bensley Design served as both interior design and architecture, with Inverse providing comprehensive lighting design.
- GenslercoreLead architect on Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya multi-use development, working alongside Yabu Pushelberg interiors.
- Yabu PushelbergmajorCollaboration on Shinsegae Main Store Food Hall Seoul - preliminary and detail design by Inverse combined with Yabu Pushelberg's interior design direction for the Gourmet Street and Food Hall.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Inverse Lighting Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Lighting Practice: US-based independent lighting design consultancy working on hospitality, cultural, and commercial projects; comparable boutique independent model with similar fee-only positioning.
- Office of Visual Interaction (OVI): New York-based lighting design consultancy specialising in architectural, façade, and exterior lighting; overlaps directly with Inverse's exterior and façade portfolio (e.g., Port House Antwerp).
- Tillotson Design Associates: US architectural lighting design firm serving museums, cultural venues, and high-end hospitality; comparable boutique-services profile and award-winning positioning.
- Light Bureau: European lighting design consultancy serving architecture, hospitality, and urban projects; independent fee-based model comparable to Inverse's boutique consultancy positioning.
- Lighting Planners Associates (LPA): Japan-founded lighting design consultancy with Asia-Pacific presence serving hospitality, retail, and urban projects; directly competes in the same Asian luxury project pool as Inverse's Bangkok and Hong Kong studios.
- Fisher Marantz Stone: US-based independent lighting design consultancy serving museums, hospitality, and large-scale architectural projects; shares the boutique independent model and high-profile project pedigree.
- Nulty+: London-based architectural lighting design consultancy focused on hospitality, retail, and commercial interiors; offers the same independent, fee-based lighting design services as Inverse.
- Speirs + Major: UK-based independent architectural lighting design consultancy serving hotels, museums, retail, and cultural projects; directly comparable boutique-services model and client mix to Inverse Lighting Design.
Broad incumbents
- Arup Lighting: Global engineering and design firm with a dedicated architectural lighting practice; competes on large-scale and complex projects where Inverse also operates, but as part of a much broader portfolio.
- BDP (Building Design Partnership): Major international architecture and engineering practice with an integrated lighting design team; competes on hospitality and large commercial projects but lighting is one of many services under a broader firm.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Inverse Lighting Design social profiles
Digital presenceInverse Lighting Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Inverse Lighting Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Inverse Lighting Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Inverse Lighting Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Inverse Lighting Design
What does Inverse Lighting Design do?
Inverse Lighting Design is an independent consultancy that provides fee-based architectural lighting design services for hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, leisure venues, corporate offices, residential projects, and exterior facades. The firm develops lighting concepts, schemes, and luminaire/control system specifications, working directly with architects, interior designers, and end clients through its London, Bangkok, and Hong Kong studios.
Is Inverse Lighting Design a public or private company?
Inverse Lighting Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Inverse Lighting Design founded?
Inverse Lighting Design was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Inverse Lighting Design based?
Inverse Lighting Design is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Inverse Lighting Design make money?
One revenue line is on record: fee-Based Lighting Design Consultancy.
Who are Inverse Lighting Design's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Lighting Practice, Office of Visual Interaction (OVI), Tillotson Design Associates, Light Bureau, Lighting Planners Associates (LPA), Fisher Marantz Stone, Nulty+ and Speirs + Major. Broad incumbents are Arup Lighting and BDP (Building Design Partnership).
Does Inverse Lighting Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for Inverse Lighting Design.
What industry is Inverse Lighting Design in?
Inverse Lighting Design's product category is Architectural Lighting Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAJ, Lighting Design Services, with a secondary code of HSAIAHAA, Landscape Lighting Design & Layout. Its NAICS code is 54141.