The Oxford Street Development Corporation have assembled two world-leading design teams with experience at London and International levels working in parallel to support the transformation of Oxford Street.

East, along with JL Gibbons, Gehl, Publica, Etude, NRP and 59 Studio are designing the first phase – a 1km pedestrianised section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.

And alongside, Hawkins\Brown, with ASPECT Studios, Urban Movement, Authentic Futures and Michael Grubb Studio are developing a long-term whole street strategy (from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road) and concept designs for future phases. 

Together, the design teams are supporting the  Mayor of London’s mission to supercharge regeneration and create a safer, greener and more comfortable public space along the entire stretch of the street. Traffic management plans for the rest of the street will be subject to consultation.  

Over the past two years, Oli has become an integral part of our design team, continually developing his approach to lighting through curiosity, collaboration and a growing understanding of how light interacts with architecture, spaces and the people who experience them.

Throughout his time at Michael Grubb Studio, Oli has continued to grow as a designer, showing a strong ambition to develop his skills, take on new challenges and deepen his understanding of the craft. His enthusiasm for exploring different project types and his collaborative approach have made him a valued member of the studio.

Commenting on the promotion, Mike Cascarino said: “Oli has continued to be a key member of the design team and it has been a pleasure to see his continued growth in the role.”

Congratulations, Oli. We look forward to seeing the ideas, creativity and perspective you bring to this next chapter.

You can read more about Oli’s journey so far and ambitions for the future in the next issue of The Spotlight.

Drawn to Michael Grubb Studio’s narrative-led approach and diversity of projects, Julia joins us with a strong interest in how lighting can shape atmosphere, emotion and human experience within a space.

From intimate hospitality environments to large-scale public realm and masterplanning projects, she is particularly inspired by design that balances technical precision with storytelling, something she recognised in projects such as the Guinness Storehouse.

Head of London Studio Mike Cascarino shared:
“We are very excited to have Julia join our expanding team. She has already shown a great capacity for learning and a natural ability for design that we look forward to seeing grow within the studio.”

Warm Welcome to the team, Julia 🥂

The first is Woolwich Town Centre, UK, shortlisted in the Spaces Category. This ambitious public realm project brings renewed clarity and character to the heart of Woolwich after dark, supporting safety, legibility and civic identity through a considered lighting strategy across a complex urban environment.

It was a pleasure to collaborate with: LDA Design, ECF, Civic, Hadron Consulting (Project Management), Gleeds, Elite Landscapes Ltd, Studio Bosk Ltd, Fountains Direct Ltd.

Our second shortlisted project is Fluke’s at Big Penny Social, UK, recognised in the Places Low Budget Category. In contrast in scale and context, this scheme focuses on intimacy and atmosphere, using light to shape character, warmth and experience while working thoughtfully within budget constraints.

We are grateful to have worked alongside: Unknown Works⁠, Hunter’s Daughter (Joanne Hunter), Float Structures, Charcoalblue, Studio 3Sixty, Jackson Coles LLP

Although very different projects, both demonstrate how lighting can meaningfully shape experience. We are grateful to be shortlisted and proud to see so many fantastic projects and talented teams recognised alongside us this year.

Congratulations to everyone shortlisted, and best of luck to all.

What began in 2014 as a conversation in a pub became a multi-award winning initiative with a simple aim: to take disused and unwanted lighting equipment and put it to meaningful use for charities and community projects.

Along the way, we delivered projects including Shelley Theatre, Chicken Town and Waterloo City Farm, collaborated with over 40 manufacturers, diverted huge amounts of perfectly usable equipment from waste, and most importantly, helped spark genuine industry wide discussion about reuse and circular practice.

Today, we have far greater awareness, emerging circular economy standards, established recycling organisations, and multiple reuse initiatives, such as: SLL – Society of Light and Lighting TM66, Recolight, End Cat A Lighting Waste, 18 Circular, Finishes and Interiors Sector Reuse Project and Donate-A-Light.

It’s been a long journey, and while it feels bittersweet, we’re incredibly proud of what we achieved.

So a huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported ReLit over the years. We’ve taken it as far as we can, but we’ll always champion a future where we truly LET LIGHT LIVE.

📢 Ray Molony, editor at Circular Lighting Report, said:

‘It’s not easy to imagine now, but at the time that the ReLit Project was launched, it was almost unheard of for luminaires to be reused in a commercial building. ReLit was a really bold idea and paved the way for the initiatives that came after it. I congratulate everyone who worked on it over the years and the pioneering work it did in changing mindsets.’

Michael Grubb shares a full ReLit story in our editorial, please sign up to The Spotlight to receive the latest digital issue → here

Mike Cascarino, Head of our London Studio, will be joining Leo Wood (Kinder Design) and Kate Aslangul (Oakley Moore) on a panel chaired by Ruth Turner-Jones (Ruth Turner Interior Design) to discuss Colour, Texture, Light: The Design Trinity.

This session looks beyond surface-level design, revealing how thoughtful integration of these elements can transform spatial experience and help designers create places that truly connect with people.

An insightful discussion for architects, designers and anyone shaping the spaces we inhabit. See you there?

📅 03 February. Springfair. NEC Birmingham, United Kingdom
⏰ 11:00-11:45

Get your free ticket → here

We are incredibly proud that several of our projects received industry recognition this year. These awards reflect the dedication of our team and the strong partnerships that make each project possible.

To our colleagues across the studio, thank you for your hard work and the passion you bring to every brief. It has been a year of thoughtful light design, problem solving lighting and imaginative illumination.

We are already looking ahead to 2026 with excitement. There are new projects under way, fresh collaborations taking shape and plenty of news we cannot wait to share.

Wishing you a bright and restful festive season. Here is to an inspiring year ahead.

In just one year since joining, Orla has made a strong impact through her creativity, curiosity, and collaborative approach. From assisting at Flukes at Big Penny Social to her thoughtful approach on Greenwich Observatory, she continues to bring new energy and perspective to our lighting design projects. Her growth reflects both her talent and the supportive culture that defines our team at Michael Grubb Studio.

Reflecting on her first year, Orla shared how the London Studio environment and exposure to industry events helped shape her design perspective.

Her growing confidence in creative decision-making continues to strengthen her design process. She approaches each project with curiosity and a balance between innovation and technical understanding, both key elements of successful architectural lighting design. Looking ahead, Orla is ready to expand her responsibilities and creative ownership. That sense of ownership and collaboration defines not only her approach but also the wider ethos of our studio. She continues to draw inspiration from peers and partners across the industry.

Orla’s promotion is a proud moment for the entire team. Her enthusiasm, imagination, and dedication have made a lasting contribution to our projects and studio culture.

At Michael Grubb Studio, we specialise in visitor experience lighting in the UAE that guides, enhances, and inspires. For the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Visitor Centre, our approach was to balance modern architectural lighting techniques with cultural and historical sensitivity, creating an environment that is both immersive and reflective of the mosque’s significance.

Lighting in such spaces is not just about visibility but about shaping visitor perception, enhancing wayfinding, and highlighting curated pieces on display. Our design focuses on creating immersive experiences that resonate with both local and international visitors, ensuring that every moment in the space feels considered and engaging.

Projects like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Visitor Centre demonstrate how carefully crafted lighting design can elevate cultural landmarks and visitor centres, providing visitors with an unforgettable journey. By integrating innovative LED solutions, layered illumination, and energy-efficient technologies, we create lighting schemes that reflect both modernity and tradition. Michael Grubb Studio continues to deliver world-class lighting design across the Middle East, combining technical innovation, cultural awareness, and visitor-focused design. Our work on projects like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Visitor Centre demonstrates how expert lighting can transform spaces into unforgettable experiences and create powerful visitor experience lighting in the UAE.

Read more about the project here.

Visitors can now step into the richly atmospheric royal lodgings of Henry III and Edward I. The reinterpretation brings clarity, coherence, and character to these rare surviving medieval interiors, creating a journey that reveals the rhythms and rituals of court life. Subtle yet immersive lighting plays a key role in guiding visitors through the palace. Quietly theatrical effects bring out architectural detail, highlight textures and finishes, and enhance storytelling moments, supporting the overall exhibition design without overwhelming the historic interiors.

The Historic Royal Palaces now invites visitors to slow down, notice the smallest details, and imagine daily life in the 13th century. Every corner is designed for engagement and reflection, supported by lighting that balances authenticity, atmosphere, and visitor comfort. The Medieval Palace is now open to the public. Learn more about this transformative project and the team behind it by exploring the full project profile here.


Read more about our exhibition lighting design for this permanent visitor experience here — Medieval Palace at the Tower of London

On Wednesday 21 May, we officially launched Stories with Light, a new book by Michael Grubb and Francis Pearce, at Clerkenwell Design Week. Held in the atmospheric House of Detention, a former Victorian prison turned exhibition space, the event formed part of the [d]arc thoughts talks programme and brought together the lighting community, creatives, friends, and industry peers to celebrate the stories that shaped the book.

From the insightful Q&A session with the authors to the post-talk drinks reception, it was an evening full of conversation, connection, and genuine excitement.

We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us — for turning up, asking thoughtful questions, and celebrating this project with such warmth.

Special thanks go to [d]arc media for hosting us as part of their inspiring Clerkenwell Design Week schedule this year, and to Applelec for supporting the event. Your partnership helped bring the launch to life in every sense.

More photos from the evening will be shared soon, and if you missed the launch but are curious about the book, we’re pleased to say Stories with Light is now available to purchase at Waterstones, here

Thank you again to everyone who made this launch such a memorable one.

Photos by Anna Lozian