Michael Grubb Studio Celebrates a Decade of Success

Renowned lighting design studio Michael Grubb Studio is celebrating a decade in business, having been set up by Founder and Managing Director Michael Grubb in 2013.

From the outset, Michael’s ambition was to assemble a team of creative, technically-astute, and ambitious designers. He sought a team that possesses self-motivation, audacity, a willingness to take calculated risks, and a commitment to educating clients about the possibilities that light could offer. 

Michael Grubb Studio’s DNA and ethos remain at the core of everything the company does: creativity, education, and environmental protection.

In the early years, the team ventured into unconventional endeavours such as dressing the marketing manager up as a lobster and pitching George Clooney to launch the Gardens of Light festival. George didn’t make it, but it still became a Guardian ‘must see’ top 10 event.

Illuminating Durdle Door from a tiny vessel at sea also made the BBC news; anything was possible. It was a seminal time that put the studio on the map and defined part of who the company is today.

Confidence in the company vision and approach arrived early and this was critical to Michael Grubb Studio’s success. It paved the way for significant award-winning projects from the start, including iconic endeavours like the Guinness Storehouse, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and various projects with LUSH.

The introduction of the ReLit Project marked a pivotal moment in the company’s journey; an innovative initiative to repurpose usable ex-demo lighting equipment for community projects. ReLit was an early foray into what would many years later become known as a circular economy process. This endeavour earned many awards, but more importantly, played a vital role in raising industry awareness about sustainable design practices that Michael Grubb Studio continues to build upon today.

Michael Grubb Studio’s desire to share knowledge and educate others benefits from a long-standing relationship developed with the Arts University of Bournemouth (AUB).  The team provide lighting design content for the Interior Architect course, as well as yearly supporting interns. This close working arrangement has allowed staff to share skills and knowledge over the years and gained the business access to some exceptional students who have been welcomed to the team on a full-time basis after their studies.

One of the most significant company developments has been establishing the Michael Grubb Studio London office in 2021. As the company evolved, a London presence became more relevant to support projects, the team and clients in the city. Michael Grubb Studio now benefits from a unified team, with cross collaboration between studios seamlessly working together on a diverse array of successful projects across the world.

Founder and Managing Director Michael Grubb said:

“Ten years on from our humble roots, the company has matured, we’ve retained, refined and developed our core identity. Our approach continues to integrate our ethos; to innovate and create; provide knowledge and experience as well as to continue to build upon, and deliver, our commitment to people and planet.

I remain ever conscious there is a continuous journey of learning ahead of us and have a profound desire and responsibility, to ensure that our lighting schemes do not harm the natural environment, a view shared by the whole team.  We look forward to sharing the future with our industry friends and clients, who have helped make the last ten years possible, and to whom we are immensely grateful.”