LIGHTCO NEWS
Saturday Indesign 2026
On Saturday 12 September, LightCo Sydney opens its doors for Saturday Indesign 2026, bringing together designers, architects and industry voices for a day of conversation, exchange and new perspectives.
This year, our programme explores Transformation – how spaces, materials, processes and perspectives evolve through design, and the people and ideas shaping that change.
Across the day, the LightCo showroom will be transformed to host a series of keynote presentations, conversations and community-led discussions. Rather than a traditional exhibition, the programme creates a place to gather, listen and participate – bringing different disciplines and stages of practice into the same conversation.
Saturday Indesign
Saturday Indesign is a one-day design event connecting Sydney’s architecture and design community through showroom activations, talks, installations and experiences across the city.
Under the 2026 theme Design Together, this year’s programme celebrates the exchange of ideas, collaboration and connections that move the design industry forward.
At LightCo, we’re interpreting this through Transformation – considering not only how design transforms the spaces around us, but how the practice of design itself continues to change.
Throughout the day, four invited speakers will each explore transformation through the lens of their own practice and experience. Each presentation will be followed by an open In Conversation session, inviting the audience to continue the discussion alongside our speakers.
Between these sessions, Community Voices opens the floor to emerging and established members of the design community, inviting them to share their perspectives on transformation through a series of short, informal talks and presentations. Prompt cards will also be available throughout the day, encouraging attendees to step forward, share an idea and join the conversation.
Activations
9:30–10:00am
Perspectives on Transformation: Catriona Venn, Electrolight
With over 20 years of experience, Catriona is one of the nation’s leading lighting design professionals, having worked across diverse sectors of the design industry, gaining extensive opportunities to refine her creativity and technical expertise.
Drawing on her background in Industrial Design, Catriona brings exceptional attention to detail and a strong understanding of practical application to every project. She has successfully delivered hundreds of lighting projects, combining aesthetic vision with functional excellence.
An inspired and passionate designer, Catriona is driven by a commitment to beauty, purpose, and precision. Her work has earned the respect of peers and recognition through multiple industry awards, reflecting her dedication to design innovation and quality.
10:00–10:30am
In Conversation
Following the presentation, we invite the audience to move to our 'In Conversation' area to continue the discussion with Catrionna. We'll open the floor to questions, observations and discussion from the audience.
10:30–11:00am
Community Voices
A series of short, informal talks and presentations that open the floor to the design community, inviting different perspectives, experiences and ideas around transformation and contemporary practice.
Joining us for Community Voices is J.M. Park, Creative Director of New Zealand-based studio February, and winner of the NZ Interior Awards Luminance Award. J.M. Will be showcasing his award-winning projects, highlighting the role of lighting in transforming atmosphere, experience, and the way we connect with a space.
11:30–12:00pm
Perspectives on Transformation: Alina Derjabina, Bomma
Alina Derjabina is a Senior Sales Manager representing world-renowned Czech luxury glass and lighting brands Bomma and Rückl across international markets spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.
With a deep appreciation for heritage craftsmanship and contemporary design innovation, Alina works closely with architects and interior designers to bring visionary lighting concepts to life.
At Saturday Indesign 2026, she explores the intersection of traditional hand-blown glassmaking, cutting-edge technology, and material transformation, highlighting how experimentation continues to redefine the possibilities of modern lighting design.
12:00–12:30pm
In Conversation
Alina joins Roy Doron to continue the conversation, exploring the ideas raised in her presentation and opening the discussion to the audience.
12:30-1:15pm
Community Voices: Ren Fernando, ReLove
ReLove is a not-for-profit charity that rescues donated furniture and homewares and redistributes them to individuals and families starting again after crisis, particularly those impacted by domestic violence and homelessness.
From their Alexandria warehouse, clients can choose everything they need to create a safe, comfortable and welcoming home. They then deliver and fully set up their chosen items in their new home, so that when the team leaves, they can simply close the door and begin settling into a space that feels like their own.
1:30–1:45pm
Perspectives on Transformation: A Fireside Chat with Cushla McFadden, Tom Mark Henry, and Roy Doron, LightCo
Cushla McFadden, director of Tom Mark Henry brings her adept creativity and systematic delivery approach to design that sees unique design resolutions realised with each project. She gains a great deal of satisfaction when a project is truly collaborative and a number of factors contribute to its success.
Cushla completed a degree in Interior Architecture at the University of New South Wales, after which she moved to New York to gain experience in an international practice before founding Tom Mark Henry with Jade Nottage in 2014.
2:30–3:00pm
Community Voices
Our final Community Voices session opens the floor to another group of designers and industry voices for a series of short, informal talks and presentations, sharing different perspectives, experiences and ideas around transformation and contemporary practice.
3:30–4:00pm
Perspectives on Transformation: Lachlan Kirkland, YSG
Lachlan Kirkland is a Senior Interior Designer at Sydney-based architecture and interior design practice YSG Studio. Raised on the Australian Mid-North Coast, he draws constant inspiration from his connection to nature, a perspective that informs projects across the globe, from the rice fields of Ubud and the streets of Copenhagen to an Art Deco landmark in Potts Point. Recognised in this year's ADR 30 Under 30 program, Lachlan embraces interdisciplinary collaboration as a key part of his creative process.
4:00–4:30pm
In Conversation
Our final conversation of the day sees Lachlan join Roy Doron to continue the discussion in our 'In Conversation' area, with the audience invited to contribute their own questions and perspectives.
Makers & Materiality
Beyond the talks, the LightCo showroom itself will become part of the programme. For one day, the familiar showroom environment will be stripped back and transformed through light, reflection and material, with immersive activations celebrating craftsmanship, material experimentation and the hands behind design.
Saturday Indesign 2026
Date: Saturday 12 September 2026
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Location: LightCo Sydney, 100 Collins Street, Alexandria NSW
Join us throughout the day for conversation, new perspectives and an exploration of transformation through design.