Architecture Sculpted from Stone

Designed by Oppenheim Architecture and commissioned by Red Sea Global, the resort’s structures are seamlessly integrated into the mountainous terrain. Some suites are carved directly into the rock face, others are suspended between dramatic gorges, while additional villas stretch along panoramic terraces that open onto expansive desert vistas.

This architectural approach blurs the boundary between the built environment and the surrounding landscape, allowing the structures to appear as natural extensions of the mountains themselves.

A Harmonious Dialogue with Nature

The development was conceived with a strong commitment to preserving the integrity of the surrounding environment. Every design decision—from material selection to construction techniques—was guided by the principle of minimizing visual and ecological impact.

The materials and finishes echo the desert’s natural chromatic palette, ensuring the resort blends effortlessly with its surroundings. During the day, natural light plays across the rugged rock surfaces, accentuating their textures and forms. As evening approaches, the resort gradually reveals a new dimension through its carefully orchestrated lighting design.

Lighting Design Inspired by the Desert

The lighting concept at Desert Rock Resort demanded a highly customized approach. Conventional lighting solutions would have disrupted the delicate balance between architecture and landscape.

Instead, every lighting decision involved a careful dialogue with the rock textures and the rarefied desert atmosphere. The aim was to integrate illumination subtly—enhancing the environment without imposing upon it.

More than 1,500 bespoke lighting fixtures have been installed across the resort. Designed as contemporary lanterns, these fixtures feature a minimalist aesthetic that blends seamlessly with both the architecture and the surrounding terrain. Beneath their understated appearance lies a sophisticated technological core, developed through close collaboration with the lighting design team.

A Bespoke Illumination Concept: Warm as a Flame

At the heart of the lighting design lies a poetic interplay between technology and atmosphere. Each lantern integrates a dual LED lighting system fully controlled through the DALI lighting control protocol, enabling precise management of brightness, ambience, and lighting scenes.

The first light source is housed within a central “candle”—a signature element of the project designed to evoke the warmth and authenticity of a real flame. Through a dedicated lighting program, the LED replicates the gentle flicker of candlelight at a 2200K color temperature, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere throughout the resort.

Balancing Functionality and Atmosphere

A second light source is discreetly integrated into the upper section of each lantern. This component directs light downward, creating a subtle yet effective path-marker illumination along walkways, stairs, and terraces.

Designed to ensure safety and orientation, this functional lighting element complements the scenic ambience without disrupting the visual harmony of the landscape.

Both light sources can be controlled independently, allowing lighting scenes to transition effortlessly—from evocative, atmospheric illumination to more functional lighting conditions—while maintaining the cohesive identity of the overall lighting design.

The new Matter-compatible GE smart shades blend smart-home convenience with modern design. Featuring a screw-free installation system, these motorized window treatments deliver a clean, tailored look in white or gray fabrics with sleek aluminum trim. Controlled via the Matter app or a remote control included with each shade purchase, GE smart shades are available in blackout or light-filtering options, and can integrate seamlessly with Matter-enabled platforms for voice and app control to set automated schedules that enhance comfort, privacy, and energy efficiency.

“Many smart shades feel intimidating or overly complicated. GE smart shades take a different approach – focusing on simplicity, flexibility, and a clean aesthetic that fits naturally into everyday homes,” said Kara Perdue, VP of Product Management at GE Lighting, a Savant company.

Key Features:

• Effortless Smart Control: Operate shades with the included remote or through Matter Thread and connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
• Custom Light Experience: Choose blackout fabrics for room-darkening privacy or light-filtering options that softly diffuse daylight. Multiple width options are available to fit windows up to 76 inches tall.
• Quiet, Smooth Performance: Whisper-quiet operation is powered by a high-efficiency motor. The small magnetic rechargeable battery lasts up to six months per charge and is easy to recharge while in place.
• Sophisticated Modern Design: White or black aluminum frames pair with blackout or translucent fabric options in soft gray or white.
• Easy Installation: Design that features no visible hardware creates a clean, architectural look that complements modern interiors can be installed in minutes.
• Premium, Long-Lasting Materials: Expertly assembled in the USA with durable aluminum trim and performance fabrics for dependable use.

The company will also showcase its latest design-forward Light + Form Series, blending sculptural forms with gentle illumination to create lighting that doubles as décor whether the light is turned on or off. Featuring abstract, subtle pearl filaments and clear glass finishes, each LED bulb casts a gentle, soft white, or daylight glow that enhances modern fixtures and accent pieces.

Available Bulbs Include:

• Canopy Bulb: Featuring a warm candlelit glow and elegant teardrop form, the Canopy Bulb is ideal for pendant lighting and glass fixtures. Its amber-tinted glass adds warmth and depth, enhancing the ambience of dining areas, entryways and cozy corners.
• Silver Filament (Soft White & Daylight): Silver Filament brings a timeless, minimalist aesthetic inspired by classic filament bulbs – without the yellowed filaments that can detract from a fixture’s design when the bulb is off. Its unique filament design adds a refined touch to any decorative fixture.
• Edge Light: A slim, modern profile wrapped with a pearl-colored filament delivers a soft, even glow. The exclusive Edge Light adds a distinctive, contemporary touch to open fixtures or statement pieces, offering a look that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

A well designed lighting scheme does not announce itself. It quietly guides movement, enhances form, reveals texture, and supports the purpose of the space. When done right, people rarely say, “What beautiful lighting.” Instead, they say, “This space feels right.”

Lighting as a Spatial Language

Every space speaks a language. Architecture provides the grammar, interiors supply the vocabulary, and lighting sets the tone and emphasis. As lighting designers, our role is to translate intention into illumination. We ask questions that go beyond lumens and fixtures: What is the story of this space? Who will use it? At what times of day? For how long? In what emotional state?

Lighting determines how volumes are perceived whether a ceiling feels expansive or oppressive, whether a corridor feels inviting or intimidating, whether a façade appears monumental or approachable. Through contrast, hierarchy, and rhythm, light establishes spatial clarity. Without this clarity, even the most beautifully designed spaces can feel confusing or uncomfortable.

Beyond Fixtures

One of the most common misconceptions about lighting design is that it is about selecting fixtures. Fixtures are tools, not solutions. The real design lies in deciding *where* light should exist, *where it should not*, and *how it transitions between the two*.

A lighting designer works with layers: ambient lighting for overall comfort, task lighting for function, accent lighting for focus, and decorative lighting for identity. These layers must work together seamlessly, responding to both architecture and human use. Overlighting is as damaging as underlighting. Excessive uniform brightness flattens spaces, erases depth, and causes visual fatigue.

Good lighting design embraces shadow as much as illumination. Shadow gives form meaning. It allows surfaces to breathe and materials to reveal their true character.

Human Centric Lighting: Designing for People, Not Plans

Lighting is experienced by people, not drawings. A technically correct lighting layout can still fail if it ignores human perception. Factors such as glare, contrast ratios, colour temperature, and vertical illumination directly affect comfort, productivity, and mood.

In residential spaces, lighting must adapt to daily rituals waking, relaxing, entertaining, resting. In workplaces, it influences focus, alertness, and wellbeing. In hospitality environments, lighting orchestrates emotion, guiding guests from public vibrancy to private calm.

Human centric lighting is not about complexity or expensive technology. It is about empathy understanding how light supports the body’s natural rhythms and psychological needs. Sometimes, the most impactful design decision is simply reducing light where it is unnecessary.

Daylight: The Primary Design Partner

Artificial lighting should never compete with daylight; it should collaborate with it. A lighting designer studies how natural light enters a space, how it moves throughout the day, and how it changes across seasons. This understanding informs fixture placement, circuiting, and control strategies.

Daylight brings variability, contrast, and life to interiors. Artificial lighting must respond sensitively, filling in gaps rather than overpowering natural conditions. Intelligent integration of daylight reduces energy consumption while enhancing spatial quality.

When daylight is respected, lighting design becomes sustainable by default not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental design principle.

Lighting Controls: The Silent Enabler

A beautifully designed lighting scheme can fail if it is poorly controlled. Controls determine how flexible, intuitive, and usable a lighting system is. From simple dimmers to advanced scene setting systems, the goal is always the same: to give users control without complexity.

Lighting designers advocate for fewer, well considered scenes rather than endless options. A space should transition effortlessly from day to evening, from work mode to relaxation, from public to private. Good controls disappear into the background, empowering users without overwhelming them.

Architecture, Materiality, and Light

Materials respond dramatically to light. Stone absorbs, metal reflects, wood warms, glass transforms. A lighting designer studies material samples under real lighting conditions, not just in catalogues or showrooms.

Texture becomes visible only through grazing light. Colour shifts under different colour temperatures. Gloss levels influence glare and reflection. By understanding these interactions, lighting designers help architects and interior designers make informed material choices that perform as intended.

In façade lighting, the relationship between light and material defines a building’s nighttime identity. Subtlety often creates more impact than brightness. The aim is not to flood a structure with light, but to reveal its architectural intent.

The Cost Myth

Lighting design is frequently seen as an added cost rather than a value driver. In reality, early involvement of a lighting designer often reduces overall project costs. Thoughtful design avoids excessive fixtures, inefficient layouts, and expensive post installation corrections.

Well designed lighting extends the life of interiors, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes maintenance issues. More importantly, it elevates user experience something that cannot be quantified purely in monetary terms.

In commercial and hospitality projects, lighting directly influences brand perception, dwell time, and repeat visits. In residential spaces, it shapes daily comfort and long term satisfaction. These outcomes far outweigh the initial investment.

Collaboration: The Heart of Good Lighting Design

Lighting design does not exist in isolation. It thrives on collaboration with architects, interior designers, landscape designers, engineers, and clients. Early dialogue ensures alignment between vision and execution.

When lighting designers are brought in late, they are often forced to compromise working around fixed ceilings, limited coordination, or predefined budgets. When involved from the conceptual stage, lighting becomes integral rather than corrective.

The most successful projects are those where lighting is discussed alongside form, function, and flow not after them.

The Invisible Signature

Unlike other design disciplines, lighting design leaves no physical trace during the day. Its presence is felt most strongly when it is absent or poorly executed. This invisibility is both its challenge and its power.

A lighting designer’s signature is not a particular fixture or style, but a consistent sensitivity to context. Each project demands a unique response. What works for a luxury residence may fail in a workplace. What suits a heritage building may be inappropriate for a contemporary façade.

Lighting design is ultimately about restraint knowing when to intervene and when to step back.

Conclusion

Lighting design is the art and science of shaping experiences. It operates at the intersection of technology, perception, and human behaviour quietly influencing how spaces are understood, how emotions unfold, and how architecture reveals its intent. Long before a material is touched or a form is consciously admired, light establishes first impressions and lasting memories.

From a lighting designer’s perspective, success is not measured by lux levels, fixture counts, or the latest technology, but by how a space feels over time. Comfort, visual clarity, and emotional balance become the true benchmarks of good design. A well lit space allows people to focus without strain, move intuitively, and connect effortlessly with their surroundings.

When lighting is thoughtfully designed, it transcends trends. It adapts to changing needs, supports multiple functions, and ages gracefully alongside the architecture it serves. It does not seek attention, yet it elevates everything within its reach materials appear richer, spaces feel more intentional, and transitions become seamless.

Ultimately, the true power of lighting lies in its restraint. The most successful lighting schemes are often invisible, sensed rather than seen. They do not compete with architecture or interiors; they complete them. And in fulfilling this quiet role, lighting achieves its highest purpose not to be noticed, but to enhance how we see, experience, and inhabit space.

Sandeip Anand (M.A Lighting Design Germany) is the Director at AIMS Lighting Design, Mumbai having professional lighting experience of more than 20 years.

The DriveLux DX3-C-L13 triple CCT model enables smooth color temperature tuning from 1800K to 6500K along the Black Body Locus (BBL), maintaining tight color consistency within 2 MacAdam ellipse steps of ANSI CIE specifications. Operating at approximately 23W (13mm LES) with CRI 90, it delivers high lumen outputs of ~2400 lumens at 2700K and ~2600 lumens at 4000K. This makes it ideal for human-centric lighting in hospitality, retail, and residential settings requiring precise, high-quality white light adjustment.

The DriveLux DX4-C-L13 RGBW model extends versatility with tunable white from 1800K to 6500K along the BBL (within 3 MacAdam ellipse steps) plus full RGB color mixing for dynamic scenes and a wide color gamut. Powered by advanced CSP technology using blue and green GaN chips with narrow-band KSF-converted red, the tunable white is available in CRI 90 and CRI 95 options.

With this step, Tridonic is driving forward the development and provision of future-proof technologies based on open industry standards. In doing so, the company is supporting the digitalization of outdoor lighting in cities and transport infrastructures and offering users greater flexibility. At the same time, Tridonic helps to ensure that investments can continue to be used reasonably and economically in the face of future technical innovations and adjustments, without having to replace existing systems prematurely.

By integrating NovaLight, Tridonic is expanding its portfolio and enabling the integration of control systems for outdoor lighting into comprehensive lighting management solutions. NovaLight’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to operate and monitor outdoor lighting and meets the high standards of convenience and efficiency that Tridonic pursues in the development of its products.

A lighting makeover

For KÖKI Terminal Budapest and the investors, the Adventum Group, the aim of new interior lighting was to significantly improve energy efficiency and reliability and increase the well-being factor in the “FoodPort”. Gábor Schmidt from Haas & Schmidt Lighting Ltd. and Manfred Raffler from Setup.lighting s.r.o. were responsible for the lighting design and managing the project, in which KÖKI replaced the existing six kilometres of installed T5 fluorescent lamps with a new LED lighting solution.

“The main challenge was the time at which the work could be completed. As the shopping centre was open as normal during the day, the work had to be carried out at night and all the equipment needed to be gone by the morning. Night after night, it was ‘out with the old and in with the new’. The employees’ high level of efficiency was key to the success of the installation,” remembers Gergely Gyevi-Tóth, Area Sales Manager SEE at Tridonic.

Challenging initial situation

“The customer explicitly requested that the existing architecture of the main lighting system comprising customised continuous rows with tensioned textile diffusors be retained and only as much changed as necessary,” says Gábor Schmidt from Haas & Schmidt Lighting Ltd. The lighting channels all have contrasting lengths and widths and meet each other at different angles. At somepoints, horizontal strips merge into vertical strips, with the vertical being slightly offset. “Architecturally this looks very good, but the technical aspects of the implementation were a challenge, particularly at the corners where horizontal and vertical channels meet. The lighting we installed needed to be perfectly adapted to these channels, which proved to be the most difficult aspect of the project,” explains Gergely Gyevi-Tóth.

LEDs replace fluorescent lamps

The project involved replacing T5 fluorescent lamps with LEDs. Thanks to its comprehensive range of products, Tridonic was able to supply all the relevant solutions and components to meet the client’s requirements. Tridonic installed LLE 20×280-560mm 775lm HV SNC3 linear LED modules and 2,000 LC 25W / 300 mA fixC lp SNC2 and LC 35W / 300 mA fixC lp SNC2 LED drivers over a total length of six kilometres. These modules have a long service life of 72,000 hours and perfect light homogeneity, making them the ideal solution for linear and surface luminaires. When combined with the LED drivers, they offer maximum system efficiency. Several LED modules can be quickly and easily wired together using plug-in terminals, with two terminals available for serial wiring.

Project a real high point

The interior lighting in the “FoodPort” is controlled via the sceneCOM evo DA2 application controller, with a variety of luminaires in different types and shapes from various manufacturers installed in order to fulfil the architectural requirements. In total, over 1,000 metres of direct/indirect linear profiles with integrated tracks, track spotlights and grow lights for indoor plants were used. In addition to the linear shapes, there are also decorative luminaires, spheres and flexible RGB constant-voltage LED strips for dynamic accent lighting.

The DALI installation in the “FoodPort” includes four sceneCOM evo controllers, three of which are connected to each other to control 500+ addresses with BMS integration via BACnet. The connection to BACnet was an important requirement. A separate sceneCOM evo controller controls the emergency lighting devices (such as exit signs and anti-panic lights).

“The installation of the new lighting in KÖKI is the first project in Hungary in which we are using the sceneCOM evo scalable DALI-2 control solution. The project has been a real high point for me,” says Gergely Gyevi-Tóth.

Energy savings of over 60 per cent

The switch to LED lighting has paid off: in addition to energy savings of around 61 per cent, the new lighting delivers an 80 per cent increase in luminous efficacy and a 30 per cent improvement in illuminance. And as for the well-being factor, the enhanced aesthetics and better light have made shopping an even more enjoyable experience for visitors.

Image Credit – © P-Arch Creative Studio

The Art and Science of Smart Lighting

Smart lighting goes beyond mere illumination. It creates moods, enhances spaces, and underscores architectural beauty while remaining energy-efficient and sustainable. At the JW Marriott, the lighting concept aligns with the hotel’s ethos of providing a luxurious yet welcoming environment. Through a combination of innovative design strategies and advanced technologies, the lighting scheme transforms spaces into dynamic and versatile environments tailored for diverse guest needs.

Creating a Lasting First Impression

The guest arrival area is the gateway to the JW Marriott experience, where first impressions are indelibly etched. Our design approach for this space prioritized creating a warm and welcoming ambiance, reflective of the hospitality ethos of the Marriott brand.

Cove lighting, integrated with LED strips and profiles, forms the backbone of the lighting scheme, casting a soft glow that envelopes the area in warmth. This subtle yet impactful approach is complemented by inground up lights that highlight the small pillars, adding depth and a sense of dimension to the space. Adjustable spotlights are strategically placed at the entrance, offering the flexibility to accentuate key architectural features or artworks, depending on the season or theme.

The result is an arrival experience that feels grand yet intimate, practical yet visually captivating. Task lighting ensures that functionality is not compromised, providing brightness where needed, such as concierge desks or check-in areas. This meticulous balance between form and function makes the guest arrival area both inviting and efficient.

Elegance in Versatility

Function rooms in luxury hotels are inherently versatile, catering to a variety of events, from corporate meetings to extravagant celebrations. The lighting design for the JW Marriott’s function room reflects this adaptability.

LED strips are the heroes of this space, intricately integrated into cove ceilings, niches, and panel ceilings. These strips not only provide general illumination, ensuring that the room is well-lit for diverse functions, but also serve as decorative elements that amplify the room’s grandeur. The soft, indirect lighting highlights the architectural features of the room, lending a modern and sophisticated touch.

Dimming controls allow the lighting to be tailored to suit the mood of any event. Whether it’s a high-energy corporate presentation or an intimate wedding reception, the lighting can transition seamlessly, enhancing the overall experience for guests and hosts alike.

A Sophisticated Prelude

Adjacent to the function room, the pre-function area serves as a transitional space where guests gather and interact before the main event. The lighting design here emphasizes elegance and versatility, ensuring it aligns with the grandeur of the adjoining spaces.

Ambient lighting is achieved through strategically placed LED strips, which highlight architectural features and enhance the room’s aesthetics. Gimble downlights provide general illumination, ensuring that the space is adequately lit for all purposes. Dimming controls are integrated to allow for customization, making the room adaptable to different event requirements. The interplay of ambient and functional lighting creates a well-rounded design that is as practical as it is beautiful.

Grandeur in Every Detail

The Ballroom, often the crown jewel of a luxury hotel, demands a lighting design that is as majestic as the events it hosts. At JW Marriott, Juhu, the ballroom’s lighting scheme is a harmonious blend of grandeur and subtlety.

LED strips are used extensively, creating a cove lighting effect along the ceiling’s perimeter. This design choice not only provides a soft, diffused glow but also enhances the room’s visual charm. The addition of LED modules that backlight perforated panels in the ceiling introduces a layer of sophistication and versatility. These panels can be programmed to suit various themes or moods, making the ballroom an adaptable venue for a myriad of occasions.

Up lights positioned on the walls elevate the room’s aesthetics further, highlighting its architectural features and adding depth to the overall design. Even the smallest details, such as the well-lit pillars, are carefully considered to ensure a seamless and cohesive lighting experience. This meticulous attention to detail results in a ballroom that is both functional and breathtakingly beautiful.

Enhancing the Outdoors

The JW Marriott’s landscape is an extension of its luxurious interiors, offering guests tranquil spaces to unwind and connect with nature. Our lighting design for the outdoor areas seamlessly integrates functionality with aesthetics, ensuring the landscape is as enchanting by night as it is by day.

RGB lighting adds a dynamic element to the outdoor spaces, creating vibrant visual effects that can be adjusted for events or seasonal themes. Pathways are illuminated with inground lights designed with glare control, ensuring safety without compromising on the ambiance.

Feature lighting is used to highlight key elements of the landscape, such as water features, trees, and shrubs. The lighting is designed to maintain a natural look and feel, creating an environment that is serene and inviting. Energy-efficient fixtures are employed throughout, underscoring the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.

Technology Meets Design: The Role of Smart Lighting

At the heart of the lighting design for JW Marriott, Juhu, is technology. Dimming controls and RGB lighting systems offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing each space to adapt to its specific use or mood. Sensors are employed in certain areas to optimize energy use, ensuring lights are only used when needed.

Centralized lighting controls streamline the operation and management of the lighting systems, allowing staff to adjust settings quickly and efficiently. This integration of technology enhances the guest experience while supporting the hotel’s sustainability goals.

Guest Experience and Sustainability

Lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping the guest experience at JW Marriott. From the moment guests arrive to the time they retire to their rooms, every space is thoughtfully illuminated to evoke comfort, luxury, and a sense of belonging.

The energy-efficient solutions employed in the project align with the Marriott brand’s sustainability initiatives. By using advanced LED technologies and smart controls, the lighting design not only reduces energy consumption but also minimizes the hotel’s carbon footprint.

Conclusion

The lighting design for JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, exemplifies the transformative power of smart lighting. It is a testament to how technology and design can come together to create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. From the interiors to the landscape, every detail is meticulously crafted to elevate the guest experience and enhance the hotel’s architectural splendour.

In a city that never sleeps, the JW Marriott stands as a beacon of luxury, its smart lighting a silent partner in delivering unforgettable experiences.

COURTESY

Client – Chalet Hotels Limited
Architect – Aston Design
Lighting Controls – Lutron
Lighting Consultants – Aims Pvt.Ltd.

Sandeip Anand (M.A Lighting Design Germany) is the Director at AIMS Lighting Design, Mumbai having professional lighting experience of more than 20 years.

The application controller, or APC for short, is the intelligent control unit of a DALI-2 lighting system. Combined with input devices such as BMS presence detectors and push buttons, an APC control unit provides on-demand, cross-room lighting control. ESYLUX has now developed the SMARTCONTROLLER series so that this can also be achieved from a switch cabinet.

Separate APC control units for switch cabinet

The DIN rail modules with integrated application controller and bus voltage supply control up to 64 control gears and 16 lighting groups. Due to their location in the switch cabinet, they remain hidden and allow for maximum flexibility when selecting the additional BMS presence detectors, e.g. those from the ESYLUX COMPACT, FLAT or COMPACT MINI series. Regardless of which option is preferred, a uniform detector design can be achieved within a system in combination with the new control units.

With constant light control, swarm function and time control

Depending on the configuration, SMARTCONTROLLERs enable functions such as presence- and daylight-dependent constant light control, automatic switching of groups if the use of the room changes, control according to the day of the week  and time of day and swarm function. The DALI-2 system can be started up immediately in broadcast mode and easily configured according to individual requirements using the ESY-App.

Founded in 2010, Orluna is known for its high-quality downlights, uplights, and surface and track fixtures. Orluna’s sleek, compact architectural fixtures complement Lutron’s advanced lighting, shading, and control solutions for luxury residential and hospitality markets, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functional precision.

“This strategic move strengthens Lutron’s commitment to delivering exceptional lighting solutions, further expanding our global portfolio to meet the needs of our customers,” said Ben Bard, Vice-President, Luxury Residential Business at Lutron Electronics. “Orluna’s broad and elegant fixture portfolio, combined with Lutron solutions, will raise the bar for quality and design. Together, we will drive innovation and transform the way spaces are illuminated, blending technology and aesthetics seamlessly.”

This acquisition highlights the importance of global markets, reinforcing Lutron’s ability to deliver comprehensive lighting, shading, and control solutions not only in the UK, but also in other key international regions such as Europe and the Middle East.

“As we enter a world where luminaires and controls continue to merge, we are delighted to team up with the leading lighting, shading and controls partner, Lutron. Lutron and Orluna are both family-run companies with a similar long-term outlook. We look forward to this next chapter where, together, we will create beautiful interiors through the harmony of light whilst maintaining consistent loyalty to our customers,” said Andrew Kilborn, Managing Director at Orluna.

We are a company specializing in commercial lighting solutions. We provide all the fixtures for office lighting as well as retail and shop lighting.  Our primary architect was responsible for improving the lighting in retail spaces, such as supermarkets and stores.  In essence, the products we sell are for our downlight and track spotlights, as well as some linear lights for our office spaces. Additionally, we are one of the leading Chinese OEM providers in the lighting industry. We have been engaged in OEM manufacturing for years, and are now placing greater emphasis on integrating retail AIOT solutions.

What is your USP? Could you also elaborate on your product Caimeta?

The majority of lighting products on the market simply compete with the structure designs or aluminium walls. However, in our opinion, lighting is more than just lighting. For this reason, we incorporate AI technology into these products. We stand out from the competition thanks to our AI lighting products.  Additionally, we have the AI lighting system’s four main features.

The Caimeta system is the name of our AI lighting system. It has four main characteristics.  AI colors come first.  AI colors allow the color to be automatically changed according to the object. Not by utilizing any of the apps on phone. The training is such that the system is automatic. For instance, in a grocery store, it is not necessary to alter any settings in the apps or any of the fixtures installed in the supermarket if you sell meat on the first day but switch to apples or oranges on the second.

It can change automatically to based on the objects that you are showing on. People can see what is the best status of the per object in shelves. This is the first AI color function. Additionally, the cruise shops’ set makes extensive use of this one. For instance, we could offer the summer lights if you sell to cruise shops during the summer. We offer the warm white, which is quite different from what people feel, if you are sitting in the closest during the winter when it is extremely warm. As a result, people are more inclined to purchase.

The second is for the field of artificial intelligence. This implies that we also integrate motion sensors into the fixtures, for example. Thus, we can also use any saving modes.  Therefore, we can turn down the lighting for the products to about 30% if no one is in the stores. That accounts for roughly half of the energy-saving settings. In light of the fact that everyone is discussing energy-saving modes, that is extremely environmentally friendly. As a result, we included these features in our products as well. We therefore dubbed it the AI space function.

The third item is referred to as AIBBS (AI Business Boost System), which means that we also gathered some information for the stores. For instance, we can provide you with two different kinds of data. One is for the People Counting. You can see how many customers enter the stores, how many remain, and how long they stay. We are able to gather this data from our device and photos. We can also provide you the own in time, real time, heat mapping. So, it means that people can see that which area is most popular. So this is what we call AIBBS. It’s the collecting the data by boosting your business.

The fourth component is that we can also give you some of the AISCENE applications. For instance, depending on your status, the office may alter certain aspects of the workspace. For instance, the lights will dim to a specific percentage while you are reading them or watching television. However, it can dim down to 100% dimming if you are leaving and speaking to each party. Then, for any saving measures, simply dim down to 10% if you’re leaving.  Thus, we refer to that function as the AISCENE.

In addition to setting the AISCENE function, we also set up certain areas, such as meeting rooms, CEO rooms, and supermarket rooms, for instance.  Thus, that is an application for a different scene area.

Furthermore, it is automatic. You do not even need any apps; the only one you need is the one that syncs before you use it. So, we combine four key features in one system to enhance ability of the lining.

What challenges did you encounter while integrating AI into lighting?

The CCT’s physical buttons are what you need to automatically identify objects and provide them with the necessary lighting.  (One of the initial challenges was moving beyond traditional CCT control via physical buttons to achieve automatic object recognition and corresponding lighting adjustments.)Therefore, our biggest challenge is figuring out which lights are necessary to have the actual objects.(Our core challenge was determining the optimal lighting conditions for a wide range of real-world objects.)

This indicates that we created more than 500 different formulas to simulate the ideal lighting for these objects using AI lighting. Now frequently, let’s use it as an example.
We actually give two different formulas, such as your green shirts and the green apples. Additionally, we’re giving you different materials and formulas inside for the green feathers or other green materials.  Therefore, it took us more than two years to create 500 different types of the formula inside, and we continued to create more and more formula inside to suit various applications.

The hardest part, then, is having to strike a balance between the real lights and the special lights. We therefore give you a simulation of the lights in the sun in addition to fake lights. hence, the most difficult task is figuring out how to respond in real life to an object that takes a long time to develop. For this reason, we created global patterns for our entire system in Europe, America, and Australia. As time goes on, the next technology will also be developed in Asia. Thus, global patterns are now protected.

How sustainable are your products, and how do you plan to contribute to green energy target?

One of the things we try to do when we talk about green energy is to change people’s behavior in order to save energy. For instance, we incorporate you with the energy-saving modes in the stores. Now that everyone is talking about it, you should save energy. Making the lumens as high as possible is one method. The second method, however, is to turn on the lights when necessary.

The idea is that we provide light whenever people need it is a very important one. That’s what the energy-saving modes are all about.  For instance, in the stores, you have to use full power when someone is present. But they simply dimmed onto a certain percentage if half of the population is pure or if no one is pure.

The second method is that, for example, in office spaces, if someone is holding a meeting, they grant you complete authority. However, you simply give yourself 20% of the lights if someone is simply leaving. This one is entirely controlled by automatic means. Thus, that is what we do to help the environment. Waste it by turning down the lights. Give you lights only when you need them.

How do you plan to expand more in Asia, or in India Specifically?

Our primary market, which accounts for around 80% of our market, was North America and Europe. In fact, we perform fairly well in the Austrian markets for the Adidas Stores. However, we are beginning to speak with some of our agents or distributors in the Asian markets, particularly those in India.

They have already attempted to integrate some of our AI into actual stores. To be honest, though, it had only just begun. However, more and more people are realizing the potential of AI lighting in retail settings, such as supermarkets and shuttered stores. And I think that in the not-too-distant future, you will see some stores in India that have artificial intelligence lighting. Numerous large Indian companies have already begun testing all our AI samples.

How has been your experience so far in the HKTDC fair 2025? What are your key takeaways of this year’s edition?

For a considerable amount of time, Kinglumi has been taking part in the lighting fairs. Kinglumi is where I joined about fourteen years ago.

In 2005, when the company was just getting started, we began to take part in this failure. Actually, this was the first time we went to the spring editions. However, in order to expand our impressions, we went to a lot of fairs this year.  Our goal is to make our AI lighting available everywhere.  Therefore, one of the most significant fairs we attended was the spring edition of the Hong Kong Lighting Fair.

Customers from all over the world will travel to Hong Kong to visit. As a result, we already gain from the alternate editions, but we also hope to introduce our technology globally in the spring. Therefore, even the first day of the field, we drew a lot of people to our booth, and we were sincere in our efforts to advance our AI technology. Therefore, we believe that it was a great time to participate in the Hong Kong lighting fair, both in the spring and autumn editions.