About NR Lighting
Nicholas Redican, architectural lighting designer
NR Lighting is an independent architectural lighting design consultancy based in London, led by Nicholas Redican: a lighting designer with over a decade in practice, a member of CIBSE and affiliate of the Society of Light and Lighting, and holder of the LIA lighting certificate. The practice designs lighting for retail, hospitality and automotive brand spaces and publishes free photometric tools for the profession.
By Nicholas RedicanLast reviewed
Background
Nicholas trained in product design (BSc) before moving into lighting design, and has spent more than ten years designing lighting for retail flagships, hospitality venues and automotive brand spaces, including the Aston Martin showroom in Tokyo, the Bentley Brand Experience at Hatfield, Hotel Chocolat in Manchester, Molton Brown on Regent Street and WatchHouse on Hampstead Heath.
NR Lighting Ltd was incorporated in England and Wales in February 2025 (company number 16282449) to carry that work forward as an independent consultancy.
Approach
The practice designs the light first and chooses the luminaire last. Every scheme starts with what the surfaces, the product and the people need, is proved in Dialux Evo before it is drawn, and is documented so the electrical contractor can price and install it without interpretation. Being independent of manufacturers means the specification is written around the project rather than a catalogue, with equal-and-approved criteria so alternatives can be judged fairly.
Memberships and standards
- CIBSE: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (member)
- SLL: Society of Light and Lighting (affiliate)
- LIA: Lighting Industry Association lighting certificate
- Designs to BS EN 12464-1, the SLL Code for Lighting, CIBSE Lighting Guides, Approved Document L, BS EN 15193 (LENI), BS 5266-1 and BS EN 1838, CIBSE TM66 and BREEAM Hea 01
Software and tools
Calculations and renders are produced in Dialux Evo; drawings in AutoCAD and Revit. Manufacturers’ IES and LDT photometric files are checked with NR Lighting’s own photometric tools before they go anywhere near a model, and those tools are published free on this site for other designers and engineers to use.
Why the free tools exist
The calculators and the IES/LDT editor started as the practice’s own working tools: a fast way to validate a photometric file, size a maintenance factor properly or run a LENI check before committing to a design. Publishing them is a way of giving something back to the profession, and of showing the calculation-led approach behind the design work.
Frequently asked questions
Who is behind NR Lighting?
Nicholas Redican, an architectural lighting designer based in London with over a decade in practice, a CIBSE member, SLL affiliate and holder of the LIA lighting certificate. NR Lighting Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 16282449.
How do you work with architects and interior designers?
Most projects come through an architect, interior designer or brand team. The lighting design is developed alongside the interior scheme, coordinated with the M&E engineer, and documented for the electrical contractor so the lighting is built as drawn.
Are you independent from luminaire suppliers?
Yes. NR Lighting does not sell or supply luminaires. Products are specified on performance with equal-and-approved criteria, so the client gets the right fitting for the space rather than the one with the best margin.
Where are you based and where do you work?
London, covering the South East for site work, with design-only and calculations-only appointments across the UK. International projects are welcome; recent work includes a showroom in Tokyo.