Why Custom LED Lighting Fixtures Matter to a Lighting Designer

(interview with Mr. Sandro Cibin from Isometrix London)

For a lighting designer, custom LED lighting fixtures are not just a creative option, they are a critical tool in delivering unique, high-performance lighting experiences.

Sandro Cibin commented

For me a project always starts telling a story through the use of the light. Light is not just illumination. It is memory, emotion, atmosphere.It sculpts spaces, evokes silence, highlights beauty, and whispers stories that architecture cannot speak alone. A story told not with words, but with light. From concept to installation, each project becomes a tailored lighting composition, where every beam is intentional, and every shadow tells part of the story. A pure custom lighting solution usually is required for a very specific and unique project.  In my experience, not all projects require a creation of a custom fitting. Surely,  offering a Tailor Made solution is a strenght and not many manufacturers can provide a tailorize solutions, especially if we are talking about the pure custom approach. When it comes to design a fixture from the begining the cost of a custom LED lighting fixture can vary widely depending on several key factors and the level of customization.

We could consider:
- Fully Custom / Bespoke Design( One-off mechanical design, optical development, prototyping, certifications).
- Moderate Customization( Tailored housing, optics, drivers, DALI/DMX control, custom color temp).
- Simple modifications to existing product (Beam angle, finish, mounting).

Here's why they're important:
- Creative Freedom:
Custom LEDs allow designers to break free from standard catalogs and create truly original pieces that align with the architectural narrative.

Sandro Cibin commented

The first thing when i face a new project it  is the scope.The purpose of the light in a project . What i’d like to achieve and the final result is what I have clearly  in mind. Then I start to explore the possibilities the market offer. If the market doesn’t have everything i am looking for, then i usually approach the manufacturer that could create that particular custom solutions.

Integration with Architecture:
Fixtures can be tailored in size, shape, and finish to blend seamlessly with the design, or stand out as statement elements.

Sandro Cibin commented

The case of the cloister light is a very specific and uinque solution studied deeply to integrate the object within the architecture. Although such pure customization is relatively rare, the ability to develop tailor-made features opens extraordinary creative potential. It empowers lighting designers to craft highly specific effects, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and enabling them to achieve the ‘wow’ factor that sets exceptional designs apart. This flexibility is what transforms a good lighting solution into a truly unforgettable visual experience.