Nicholas Bewick graduated from the Canterbury School of Architecture before moving to Milan in 1985 to pursue a Master’s in Design at Domus Academy, where he began his long-standing collaboration with Michele De Lucchi. He currently serves as Art Director for Architecture at the studio, leading the research team and mentoring young architects through a research-driven, design-oriented approach. His work includes several major architectural projects, such as the UniCredit Pavilion in Milan, the UniCredit Headquarters in Verona, and the Novartis Pavillon in Basel.

Prof. Dr. Annamaria Lambri is an Italian-born architect, academic, and interior design expert with extensive international experience in hospitality, commercial, and residential projects across Europe, Asia, and the Gulf region. She is Chair of the Interior Design Department and Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, Art, and Design at the American University in Dubai. Her work bridges academic research and professional practice, with a focus on human-centred design and the evolution of hospitality environments. A RIBA Chartered Member, AIA International Associate, and member of the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), she has received several AUD Provost’s Awards and regularly serves on juries for international design competitions.

Derek Porter is a multidisciplinary designer, artist, and educator specialising in architectural lighting and product design, with a focus on light, spatial perception, and the built environment. He is Associate Professor of Lighting Design at Parsons School of Design in New York, where he previously directed the Master of Fine Arts Lighting Design programme from 2005 to 2014. His creative practice extends to photography, sculpture, and public art, with work exhibited nationally and internationally. A professional member of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), Porter has received numerous distinctions, including multiple IALD Awards of Excellence and IESNA International Awards of Excellence, recognising his contributions to lighting design, research, and education.

Jesper Kongshaug is an internationally recognised lighting designer based in Copenhagen, with over three decades of experience spanning theatre, architecture, public spaces, and light art. His notable projects include the Royal Danish Theatre’s Skuespilhuset, Tivoli Gardens, and the H.C. Andersen Museum in Odense, alongside international collaborations with leading architects and cultural institutions. As Curator and Spokesperson for the Copenhagen Light Festival, he contributes to the artistic direction of the festival and mentors emerging designers in site-specific light installations. His work has received several distinctions, including the Danish and Nordic Lighting Prize, the Reumert Prize for Set Design, and the US Edison Award. He has also taught internationally and contributed to academic publications on lighting and performance.

Sophie A. Johnson is a design educator and researcher with over 20 years of experience spanning professional practice and academia. Having taught at leading London institutions, including Central Saint Martins and Chelsea School of Art, she later moved to the UAE, where she became Head of the Interior Design Department at Canadian University Dubai. She has supervised more than 65 graduation students and developed industry partnerships to connect design education with professional practice. Her practice-led PhD from the Royal College of Art explores design thinking and the evolution of domesticity in the UAE, with a particular focus on the Emirati villa and its relationship to cultural identity, heritage, and nation-building.

Vicente Pillado is an interior architect and lighting designer specialising in residential, commercial, and workplace environments. After completing a Master’s degree in Architectural Lighting at IED Madrid in 2012, he founded NAN ARQUITECTOS in 2013, establishing a practice that integrates architecture, interior design, and lighting. Based in Pontevedra, Spain, the studio works on national and international projects distinguished by contemporary design, carefully composed lighting, sculptural volumes, and contrasting materials. Pillado’s work has received several awards in architecture and lighting, reflecting his commitment to concept-driven design and the integration of light into spatial experiences.

Maurizio Vrenna is an Assistant Professor of Design and Director of the Design Innovation and Sustainability Center at Wenzhou-Kean University. He holds a PhD in Management, Production, and Design from Politecnico di Torino, Italy, and has pursued academic studies at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, Tsinghua University, and Tongji University in China. His professional practice bridges design research, product development, and industrial innovation, with collaborations involving internationally recognised brands such as Ferrari, Ducati, Alessi, and Juventus. His research focuses on sustainable design, product-service systems, and intangible cultural heritage, while his work also explores the relationship between design, industry, and cultural exchange. He has taught, conducted research, and presented at universities across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Yah Li Toh is the founder of the award-winning lighting studio, Light Collab based in Singapore. She a professional member of IALD and a Certified Lighting Designer (CLD). She is also one of 6 to be shortlisted as Designer of the Year, for the Singapore President's Design Awards 2018, and also named as the top 40 under 40 lighting designers by the Lighting Design Awards 2019. She also served as co-chair for the 39th to 41st IALD Lighting Awards and a merit recipient of the 37th IALD Lighting Awards 2020 and numerous LIT Awards. Notable projects include Singapore Pavilion for World Expo 2020, Dubai.

Adele Locke is an award-winning lighting designer and the Founder and Director of MINT Lighting Design, one of Australia's leading residential lighting consultancies. Known for her ability to make light both beautiful and purposeful, Adele is internationally respected for her accessible, thoughtful approach to lighting in everyday homes. With over a two decades of experience and a passion for empowering homeowners and designers alike, she brings a practical yet creative eye to lighting design.

Marco Sosa is an RIBA-registered architect and Associate Professor of Interior Design and Architecture at Zayed University’s College of Arts and Creative Enterprises in Abu Dhabi. With over a decade of architectural practice in the UK, his work bridges architecture, design research, and cultural heritage. In 2014, he served as Head of Design for the UAE’s first National Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, exploring the legacy of modernist architecture in the Emirates. In 2015, he co-founded Limass, a design research unit focused on architectural heritage, virtual reality, and digital fabrication. His research has been presented at international exhibitions, including the Venice Architecture Biennale, and he has contributed to academic publications on architectural heritage and sustainable design education.

Claudia is a Peruvian architect and lighting designer whose career combines architectural lighting, technology, and interactive art. After studying architecture in Lima, she developed her expertise in lighting through independent study and professional practice. She established her own architecture and lighting studio in 2001, transitioning to a specialised lighting design practice in 2009. Her portfolio spans heritage, retail, hospitality, and interactive lighting, with notable projects including the illumination of Peru’s Cathedral and Government Palace, the National Stadium, and interactive light installations. Alongside her practice, Claudia participates in international talks and conferences, sharing her experience and approach to innovative lighting design.

Lina Ahmad holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and has over a decade of professional experience in the UAE. Her architectural practice spans multiple sectors and project stages, from concept development and design detailing to construction documentation and site supervision. She is an Associate Professor and Acting Director of Educational Effectiveness at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. Her research focuses on modern architectural heritage in the UAE, virtual reality and digital immersion, and digital fabrication in higher education and the creative industries. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the UAE National Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, and presented at events such as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.

Débora Vieira Mendes is a Brazilian architect and founding member of TETRO Arquitetura, a practice based in Belo Horizonte and active internationally. She graduated from the School of Architecture at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in 2005 and has contributed to the development of the studio since its early years. Her work spans architectural projects across diverse contexts, informed by an approach that values the relationship between buildings and nature, material expression, and the reinterpretation of Brazilian modernist traditions. Her experience includes the renovation of heritage buildings, including the Memorial Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, as well as contemporary architectural projects developed through TETRO’s collaborative practice.

Roham Shamekh is an Iranian multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Dubai, where he has led a research-driven design studio since 2016. His practice bridges art, product design, spatial design, and technology, exploring the intersections of identity, cultural expression, and contemporary visual language. Integrating elements such as graffiti, tattoo-inspired motifs, floral forms, and generative AI, he creates sculptural and functional works that challenge conventional boundaries between art and design. Through an experimental, research-led approach, Shamekh develops experiential environments and objects that reflect the evolving relationship between design, technology, and contemporary culture.

Dr. Robert Bernecker is a Professor of Lighting Design and Director of the Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design programme at Parsons School of Design, The New School. He previously led the lighting education programme at Pennsylvania State University and has published more than 50 articles on lighting design education, research, and illumination engineering. Alongside his academic work, he maintains an active consulting practice, providing lighting design and educational services, advising on projects, and serving as an expert witness in legal proceedings. Bernecker has held several senior leadership positions within the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), including President from 2004 to 2005. Recognised for his contributions to lighting education and the profession, he was named an IES Fellow in 1991 and received the Society’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017.

David is a founding director of 2B Designed, where he specialises in lighting design that enhances architectural expression while supporting human well-being. His approach recognises light as an integral part of architecture, shaping spatial experience while requiring careful consideration of light pollution and its effects on the environment and human health. Holding the Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) credential, David advocates for lighting solutions that respond to architectural intent and balance visual quality with environmental responsibility. Alongside his professional practice, he teaches lighting design to architectural engineering students at Victoria University and delivers a short course in creative lighting design through 2B Designed, contributing to the development of lighting knowledge and practice.

Arthur van der Zaag is a Dutch-born lighting designer and founder of Copenhagen Lighting Studio, based in Copenhagen, Denmark. With a background in architectural, museum, and exhibition lighting, his practice explores how light shapes spatial perception, reveals material qualities, and creates meaningful interactions between architecture and its surroundings. He holds a Master’s degree in Lighting Design from Aalborg University and has developed a range of site-specific light installations for cultural venues and international light festivals. His notable works include *Windows of Light* at Nikolaj Kunsthal and *Car Park Holiday* at Copenhagen Light Festival. Through his work, van der Zaag brings together lighting, art, and spatial storytelling, with a particular interest in the relationship between light, surfaces, and the built environment.

Martin Klaasen is an internationally experienced lighting designer, entrepreneur, lecturer, and mentor with more than 45 years in the profession, working across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. He founded Klaasen Lighting Design, a practice now part of Nulty, and has led projects spanning hospitality, commercial, cultural, and public environments worldwide. His work combines architectural lighting expertise with a strong commitment to knowledge-sharing and professional development. Through his Light Talk platform, publications, and international speaking engagements, Klaasen supports the next generation of lighting designers. He also explores emerging technologies and their applications in the field through Lighting Design of Things and the Virtual Lighting Design Community, with a focus on the evolving relationship between lighting, artificial intelligence, and smart technologies.

Prof. Dr. Ashok Ganapathy Iyer is an architect and academic specialising in interior design education, sustainability, and curriculum development. He serves as Associate Professor and Programme Leader for Interior Design at Amity University Dubai, where he also leads the sustainability research cluster. He holds a Doctorate in Architecture from Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Architecture, focusing on teaching and learning in architectural education. Previously, he served as Professor and Chairperson at the School of Design and Architecture at MAHE Dubai, contributing to its establishment and the development of internationally accredited academic programmes. His expertise spans design pedagogy, urban conservation, intercultural communication, and sustainable design education.