Vinod Pillai

As the creative leader at Studio Lumen – a top lighting design firm based in Dubai, Vinod’s lighting footprint spans continents and all realms that light touches. An architect by training, he scripts a narrative that is pivotal to the experience a space embodies, using the powerful synergy of light & shade.


Closing on two decades, his portfolio of award-winning works as one of the leading lighting designers in the region ranges from high-end hospitality, residential, public realm, spiritual, art galleries, workplace environment, retail … in short, all that is in the visual realm. Notable amongst them are a string of Michelin-star restaurants – Bushra-by-Buddha Bar, Siddharta Lounge, Chic Nonna, City Social to name a few. The select band also ranges from the bare-foot luxury resort at Bab Al Shams to the one-of-a-kind One&Only Siro Wellness Hotels. This year also marks the launch of the iconic landmarks in the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi and the Mercedes Benz Flagship in Dubai.
Vinod believes that every space has a story to tell and has always been enthused by the various socio-cultural responses to light and dark. He brings these attributes to his holistic and highly collaborative design approach believing light cannot be treated in isolation.