18 Degrees

Yesterday, at the Circular Lighting Live conference in London, I had the privilege of discussing a subject central to our industry — circular design in architectural lighting. The venue, a striking brutalist masterpiece by Denys Lasdun, provided an inspiring backdrop for a conversation on innovation and sustainability. On behalf of 18 Degrees, I shared our hands-on experience in intercepting lighting equipment that would otherwise end up in the waste stream. For us, circular design isn’t just a theoretical concept, it's a practical solution to a growing environmental challenge. We’ve rescued fully functional lighting fixtures destined for landfills, instead refurbishing and reinstalling them in new projects. Our goal is to extend the life cycle of these products, preventing them from contributing to the mounting problem of electronic waste. The response at the conference was overwhelmingly positive, with a palpable enthusiasm in the room for adopting circular design principles. It's clear that the UK’s architectural lighting sector is increasingly recognising the need to shift from a ‘take-make-dispose’ model to one that prioritises reusability and sustainability. Circular design isn’t just an emerging trend — it’s a vital evolution in design practices that are more aligned with environmental stewardship. So, what does embracing circular design in architectural lighting entail? At its heart, it's about considering the entire lifecycle of a product. Instead of designing with disposal in mind, circularity focuses on durability, repairability, and reuse. This means selecting materials that are sustainable, using modular components that can be easily replaced, and rethinking how products are manufactured to minimise waste. It’s also about incorporating reclaimed or refurbished lighting fixtures into new designs, turning what could have been waste into a valuable resource. At 18 Degrees, we strongly believe that circularity should be part of every project. Beyond the clear environmental benefits, this approach offers exciting creative opportunities. Repurposing lighting fixtures can add character and a sense of history to a space that new fixtures may not achieve. Moreover, adopting circular design aligns with wider sustainability goals and and underpins ethical design principles. In conclusion, the UK’s architectural lighting sector is at a critical juncture. As more designers embrace circular principles, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and create more sustainable spaces. At 18 Degrees, we are proud to be part of this movement and believe that circular design must become the standard, lighting the way towards a more sustainable future for all. Paul Beale.

I'm looking forward to presenting at Circular Lighting Live in a couple of weeks time. There are limited tickets still available but you'll have to be quick!

Come and join us for the IALD EE24 networking and sightseeing run tomorrow morning.

Lace up those running shoes and see you in London!

💡 Celebrating International Day of Light by UNESCO Reflecting on our many years of experience in the field of architectural lighting design, it's remarkable to witness its technological evolution and the growing awareness of reducing energy consumption. As we mark the International Day of Light, it's pivotal to emphasise our commitment to providing clients with the best solutions for their specific needs, where light is not only about beauty and visibility, but also energy efficiency. Our ethos is to design just the right amount of light, in the right place at the right time. Nothing more, nothing less; every single light selected, positioned and controlled with precision. To celebrate this day we're excited to share three of our dearest projects that show our approach to different scales: Kings Cross Triangle — the public realm here is inviting and a worthy complement to the rather lovely Author development. In collaboration with @fabrik_uk and @kingscrossn1c for Argent at @authorkingscross. Landscape Lighting Design by @18_degs / 📷 by @tomlee.gallery Polka Theatre — Polka is a children’s theatre that has played an important role in nurturing the creative talents of generations of London children. In collaboration with @fosterwilsonsize and @laurajanemcewen for @polkatheatre. Lighting Design by @18_degs  / 📷 by @tomlee.gallery Kiehl’s Regent Street — The RIBA Windows project looked to Kiehls’ heritage as an apothecary in celebration of traditional craft and digital techniques. In collaboration with @piercyco for @kiehlsuki Lighting Design by @18_degs / 📷 by @iamliamclarke Now, we want to hear from you: how has light uniquely transformed a space you visited? Share your thoughts! Happy International Day of Light! #LightingTheFuture #RenewableEnergy #18Degrees #LightingTheFuture #UNESCO #InternationalDayofLight #London

This is great news. We're thrilled to be part of this terrific project with such a talented team. Can't wait to see it come together in the coming months.

Last week, our founder Paul Beale talked with Ray Molony about our efforts to rescue light fixtures from disposal, aiming to repurpose them in buildings for clients who genuinely benefit from their reuse.