Lighting Design a Strategic Economic Investment, Says Signify's Sameer Sodhi

Sameer Sodhi, business leader of entertainment and colour kinetics at lighting brand Signify, argues that architectural and public lighting is a strategic economic investment, not merely an aesthetic add-on. In a recent discussion, Sodhi explained that for decades, a building's value has been assessed by appearance, energy performance, return on investment, and construction costs—but lighting design can now deliver measurable social and economic returns. Lit-up architecture and public installations encourage interaction, strengthen local identity, and support overall wellbeing, he says. This shift reframes lighting as a tool for placemaking and community engagement, with implications for urban planners, developers, and municipalities. As cities compete for tourism, talent, and investment, thoughtful lighting design may become a differentiator. The takeaway: investing in light is investing in the life of a place.