Mark Ridler

Mark is an award winning international lighting designer who leads the lighting profession across BDP architects.

He has ove35 years’ experience and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). After designing over 100 shows, he became an associate at MBLD in 1998 and joined BDP in 2003. Mark believes that collaboration is essential for great design and has recruited a vibrant team from varied backgrounds, including product designers, engineers, theatre designers and architects, effectively forging them into a winning force in international lighting design.

Human interaction with architecture through the medium of light is central to his philosophy and practice. His projects are varied, covering commercial, public realm, leisure, retail, art and art galleries, transport and daylight design.

Mark has won many international awards including an Award of Merit for Princesshay, Exeter, and the IALD Award of Excellence for Finsbury Avenue Square, London. Mark was named Lighting Designer of the Year at the Lighting Design Awards in 2014 and was honoured with a Special Recognition Award from the Institute of Lighting Professionals in 2016.

Mark was Vice President, Architectural for the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) and its first Chartered Lighting Designer. He has authored the PLDA ethics policy and is one of the founders of the Joined Up Lighting initiative hosting regular seminars for industry professionals. He co-authored the BCO Guide for Office Lighting and is the founder of the Green Light Alliance, a body devoted to promoting the circular economy in lighting.

In this conversation, Mark discusses the refit of the BDP office in Central London, his views on design and his work with the Green Light Alliance.