The Art of Lighting in Sustainable Architecture: Insights from Craig Turner of Orluna

Interviewer: Sean Ronnie Hill, Director of RISE Design Studio

Sean Ronnie Hill: Craig, thank you for joining me. At RISE Design Studio, we place a strong emphasis on sustainable, human-centred design, and lighting plays a crucial role in shaping how spaces are experienced. Orluna’s approach to lighting feels very much aligned with our philosophies. Can you tell us about Orluna’s design ethos and how it integrates with sustainability?

Craig Turner: Thanks, Sean. At Orluna, we believe that lighting should enhance architecture in a way that feels natural, comfortable, and sustainable. Our focus has always been on creating light that closely mimics natural daylight – a principle that aligns with both well-being and energy efficiency. From a sustainability perspective, we’re committed to producing luminaires that are designed to last, with replaceable parts and recyclable materials. We also use the lowest possible embodied carbon in our manufacturing processes and are pushing more sustainable materials, such as our new Carbolite material, something that aligns well with your approach at RISE.

Craig Turner, Orluna’s London Specification Manager, shares his insights on the art of lighting in sustainable architecture. With a focus on natural, human-centric illumination, Craig discusses how Orluna’s approach aligns with Passivhaus principles, low-energy buildings, and material authenticity - ensuring that spaces not only look exceptional but also promote well-being and longevity.

Sean: Absolutely. When designing Passivhaus and low-energy buildings, we often consider how artificial lighting interacts with natural light throughout the day. The goal is to create a balanced, comfortable environment while keeping energy demand to a minimum. How does Orluna’s technology support this approach?

Craig: Orluna has worked for years to replicate the quality of natural light found in Provence in the south of France. This led us to create our unique phosphor to coat our LEDs, which enhances natural materials without distorting their appearance. This means that when combined with natural daylight, our lights create a seamless transition between different light sources, rather than jarring contrasts. We also design our luminaires to be as efficient as possible while considering user comfort with minimal glare and precise beam control, reducing wasted light. This works particularly well in low-energy and Passivhaus buildings, where daylighting strategies are optimised, and artificial lighting is used more sparingly and effectively.

Carbolite: A Sustainable Innovation
Crafted from natural, carbon-negative materials, Carbolite represents a breakthrough in sustainable lighting design, offering ultra-low embodied carbon without compromising on performance, durability, or aesthetics.

Sean: That’s a really important point. We often specify natural materials - timber, stone, and raw finishes - which rely on good-quality lighting to maintain their true character. Poor lighting can make a space feel artificial, whereas high-quality light enhances the texture and depth of materials. Your Origin Natural technology is particularly interesting in this respect. Could you explain how it differs from conventional LED lighting?

Craig: Yes, Origin Natural is all about recreating the colour spectrum of daylight as closely as possible. Most LEDs prioritise energy efficiency at the expense of colour quality and longevity, which can lead to a cold or unnatural feel. Our technology, on the other hand, has been crafted to ensure that colours appear more vivid and true to life - reds look richer, greens more vibrant, and whites more neutral. This is particularly beneficial in spaces where natural materials are used, as it enhances their warmth and texture rather than dulling them.

Sean: That makes complete sense. We’ve seen how poor-quality LED lighting can flatten a space, making even the most beautifully designed interiors feel lifeless. The relationship between light and materials is crucial, but so is the impact on human well-being. Passivhaus buildings aim to create a comfortable, healthy indoor environment - low CO₂ levels, good air quality, and a strong connection to nature. How does Orluna consider human-centric lighting in its designs?

Craig: Human well-being and user comfort are at the core of our approach, as spaces are designed for the user to enjoy. We design our lights to reduce glare and create a softer, more natural quality of illumination, which helps to avoid eye strain and discomfort. We also consider circadian rhythms - how lighting affects sleep patterns and overall well-being - which is why we don’t just focus on the colour of the light produced, but the overall spectrum and consistency of light. This is especially important with tunable lighting, where it’s not just the visible colour appearance to be considered for the circadian system, but the non-visual effects of the lighting as well. Our high colour rendering and Tm30-15 values ensure that spaces feel natural throughout the day, supporting well-being and comfort.

Perfect Fidelity
Origin Natural lighting achieves perfect fidelity, bringing out the true depth and richness of materials by closely mimicking natural daylight to create authentic, comfortable, and sustainable spaces.

Unique Phosphor Blend
A unique phosphor blend replicates the balanced light spectrum of natural sunlight, enhancing colour rendering, visual comfort, and energy efficiency for low-energy and Passivhaus buildings.

Sean: That aligns well with our belief in designing spaces that promote both environmental and human health. There’s also a growing conversation around embodied carbon in construction. You mentioned earlier that Orluna is addressing this in manufacturing. Can you elaborate on how you’re reducing embodied carbon in your products?

Craig: Embodied carbon is a major focus for us. We’ve taken steps to ensure that the highest percentage of our products are made from fully recyclable materials like aluminium, rather than plastics, and that manufacturing is done within the UK instead of using imported components. We also design our products following TM66 guidelines with modular components so they can be repaired rather than replaced. This modular design allows us to offer an additional 15-year repair and reuse warranty on top of our standard warranty, which means clients can upgrade their lighting and have the existing items repaired and put back into the market. Our ultimate goal is to use zero virgin materials and have zero to landfill.

90% Recycled
Designed with sustainability in mind, this luminaire features 90% recycled materials, reducing embodied carbon while maintaining high-performance lighting and longevity.

Sean: That’s fantastic to hear. Longevity is key - whether in architecture or product design, sustainability isn’t just about energy efficiency but also about creating things that endure. At RISE, we talk a lot about ‘building for the next generation’ - not just minimising operational energy but ensuring buildings, materials, and components have long lifespans and can be maintained rather than replaced. What do you see as the future of sustainable lighting?

Craig: The industry in general is moving towards achieving greater efficiency and circular design. We’re seeing innovations in materials, with lighting components becoming more modular and recyclable. I think the future lies in more considered lighting design - using light only where it’s needed, reducing light pollution, and integrating daylight strategies more effectively.

Sean: I completely agree. Sustainable design is as much about reducing waste as it is about improving efficiency. Thoughtful lighting design can transform a space, and when aligned with sustainable architecture, it enhances both function and aesthetics. Thanks for your time, Craig - it’s been great to discuss how our approaches align.

Craig: Likewise, Sean. It’s great to work with architects who prioritise sustainability and high-quality design. Looking forward to more collaborations in the future!

Note: This article was created purely out of shared passion and commitment to sustainability, upcycling, and thoughtful design. We have not received any remuneration for this interview - our conversation with Craig Turner and Orluna stems from a mutual dedication to low-energy, high-quality lighting that aligns with RISE Design Studio’s values.

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