Showrooms are where tech, design, and wellbeing come together. Lighting brands are changing the way we illuminate the places where we live, work, and play.
At the BDC, some of the brightest names in lighting are making a real impact.
From lighting up office spaces and business to creating more sustainable lighting systems for the home, companies like Zumtobel Group, Linea Light and Circle Lab each bring their own unique spark to the industry. With their showrooms right here at the BDC, we thought we would sit down with each of these fantastic brands to find out more about them and their amazing work. Prepare to be illuminated.
Zumtobel Group
First up, we have The Zumtobel Group, made up of three individual brands, Thorn, Zumtobel and Tridonic. “The Zumtobel Group aims to create wellbeing and improve people’s quality of life through light,” explains Neil Raithatha, who is the current head of marketing for the UK & Ireland.
A decade into his time at the company, Neil still lights up (pardon the pun) over the sheer amount of creativity and innovation within his industry, which he explains is vital within the sector since good technology and design are the key to success.
The brand moved into its BDC showroom in November 2023 and quickly found it to be a natural fit. “The BDC is a great location and with the regularity of events, there’s always natural footfall,” says Niel.
“There’s a great buzz when being at the BDC and the clients love it.” That buzz has translated into impressive visitor numbers. We’ve had over 1700 people through our doors since we opened,” he adds. “That includes people attending events, training sessions and customer meetings.”
Which is why when it comes to designing a successful showroom, his advice is clear: “Plan, plan, plan. Have a good plan in place for design. Make sure it’s welcoming and ensure you have good lighting!”
Linea Light
With its Italian roots and dual-brand offering, Linea Light approaches lighting as both a technical and emotional experience.
“Linea Light is an Italian lighting manufacturer renowned for its innovative approach to illumination,” says their UK lead, Federico, who joined the business in 2010.
Through Linea Light Architectural and Stilnovo, the company delivers a complete offering that balances design, performance and value.
Having worked across Europe and the Middle East before relocating to London in 2018, Federico has seen the way lighting impacts people across cultures. He says that the combination of science, art and perception is what keeps him inspired.
“In lighting design, we shape spaces not just physically, but emotionally,” says Federico.
Linea Light UK has been a tenant at the BDC since 2014, and continues to embrace the energy of the space.
“With events and exhibitions happening year-round, the atmosphere is always shifting,” he says. “It brings fresh perspectives, new people and an ever-changing buzz to the place.”
For Linea Light, the showroom is not just about display, it’s about experience. “The right lighting is fundamental,” explains Federico. “It creates a welcoming and functional environment, guides attention and enhances the space as a whole.”
Circle Lab
Bringing together seven forward-thinking companies under one roof, Circle Lab is more than a showroom; it’s a collaborative hub.
“The Circle Lab is an interactive platform for connecting adjacent businesses to form a collective,” say Trudi and Martin from Notable Group, one of the brands involved. “It’s a place to experience the latest in retail technology, sustainable materials and emerging design trends.”
From the start, they found the BDC to be the perfect match for their lighting showroom and creative concept. “There’s permanent footfall, especially from events,” they explain. They have had people walk in during everything from interior design shows like HIX and Light25 to more general events. Even if visitors don’t convert into leads immediately, “50% of walk-ins are interested,” in their products so those conversations help to build a database and even understand public taste better.
Being centrally located has also made it easier to maintain strong relationships across London. “Our retailers are impressed by the BDC,” they add, explaining that the building is easy to access for visitors, highly professional, and helps their brand partners make a strong impression with clients.
When asked about what makes a showroom succeed, their answer. “Careful planning is important, but you also need to be flexible,” says Trudi. “Test the room, come back to it and then revamp”.
Light the Way
Whether you’re a creative lighting company (like these three) looking to showcase your innovative designs, a renowned tableware brand who wants a central location for clients to visit (or anything else in between) there is always a place for you here at the BDC.
The Business Design Centre will offer you more than just a showroom, it’s a platform for growth, visibility and exciting business connections. With a commitment to sustainability, as a certified B Corp, a steady flow of industry professionals and a vibrant creative community, the BDC is the ideal home for ambitious, design-led brands.
If you’re looking for a stunning showroom space to help your business thrive, get in touch with the BDC team today.
