Lighting Design House
Lighting designer Mary Rushton-Beales began her career in lighting in the early 80’s working for Philips Lighting. Encouragement from the inspirational team at City House at that time led her to learn as much as possible about light sources and lighting techniques. By 1986 she was working as an independent lighting designer within independent design practice and later for services consultants. In the early 90’s she ran the lighting design team within a very busy fast track retail design group – an essential baptism of deadline fire that prepared her for many future “rescue missions”.
By 1995 she had set up the Lighting Design House which has been trading independently ever since then. The practice is proud to have taught and employed many students; giving them their first hand up the career ladder; proud to have worked for so many different clients in so many parts of the world – and also just round the corner.
In 1997 the practice got its first international breakthrough – an extension to Wafi Mall and creation of the Pyramid Club in Dubai. Completed in 1998/99 the diverse environments within this mixed use development led to further commissions in Dubai and the wider Middle East for restaurants, hotels and Shopping Centres. The design journey continued through the 00’s to include large multi-disciplinary developments, Airports and the retail offers within airports.
In 2000 LDH was commissioned by London Underground to design the lit environment for a rolling series of exhibitions on Gloucester Road tube station – “Platform for Art”. Working for several years on this fascinating mixture of sculpture and images – all created from fire safe materials – established the practice’s reputation for thoughtful enhancement of art.
From 2003 Mary’s research into the effects of light on the body led to commissions for spaces that will enhance the well being of occupants. The best example – and one of the first biodynamic lighting schemes – being the Pines Calyx conference Centre at St Margarets Bay in Kent. Wherever possible we bring our experience of creating the healthiest possible spaces for all users into all projects large and small.
We began lighting people’s homes in 2010 and continue to work on homes of all sizes and styles. It’s so enjoyable working directly with private clients who have usually waited for a long long time before finally changing their home lit environments.
LDH uses 3D lighting calculation modelling as a matter of course for all projects which means we can assess different options for natural and artificial lighting solutions much earlier in the design process.
Since the 90’s technical development in lighting and electrical technology has led to vast changes in lighting techniques and it is an exciting time – to be able to create really special lit environments using energy efficient equipment means we have many more options than in the past.
Over the years the types of project seem to have fallen into 3 distinct categories; Full service design narrative – where we are part of a large team developing ideas and solutions from concept to completion for projects lasting 1 – 5 years; Unusual projects such as Platform for Art where the brief was to create gallery standard lighting on an open station platform or most recently Dawn Bendicks’ Time Rocks where the brief was to change colour of a material – without using coloured light; and finally the favourite “Help, make it work” category – an extremely tight deadline with contractors already on site or tight budget or seemingly impossible dream – LDH is here to help – whatever the lighting need.
“We are passionate about creating lighting solutions that help each client reach their goal – whether that is a profitable commercial enterprise, a healing space or inspiring artwork”
Mary Rushton-Beales
