About Elektra Lighting
What is Elektra Lighting?
Elektra Lighting is an independent lighting design consultancy based in Clerkenwell, London. As the homepage puts it, "Elektra Lighting is a company of independent lighting designers. As consultants, we use our expertise, creativity, construction know-how and sheer brilliance to create lighting solutions for a wide range of projects across all sectors. We do not manufacture, sell or install light fittings; like architects our income is from design fees alone."
The studio was founded in 2000 by Neil Knowles (Founder & Managing Director) and operates as a consultancy on the architect model — paid for design alone. Projects span hospitality (Virgin Hotel Edinburgh, Hyatt Hotels — "The best lighting designers I have worked with" – Azzi Kashani, Hyatt Hotels), retail, residential, and cultural sectors across Europe and the Middle East.
Where will I work?
Elektra is based in London at CS.403, Clerkenwell Workshops, 31 Clerkenwell Close, EC1R 0AT. The studio runs a hybrid part-office / part-home working pattern. Per a recent Intermediate Lighting Designer JD, new hires "must work full-time in-office initially to onboard" before transitioning to the hybrid pattern. Applicants must hold current UK work authorisation and be UK-based.
What is the Elektra team like?
Around 31 people work at the studio. The team operates as a flat consultancy of independent lighting designers, with Neil Knowles (Founder & Managing Director) leading. Neil introduced the 4-day workweek explicitly because "I'm really keen on work/life balance. I have 2 children who are growing up fast and who I want to be involved with" (LinkedIn pulse essay). The pilot was unusually transparent — Neil published month-by-month results.
Work-Life Balance
Elektra operates a full-time 35-hour week spread Monday–Thursday, with Fridays off year-round. From the active Intermediate Lighting Designer JD: "We work a full time 35-hour week (with full pay) spread over Monday to Thursday" and "Fridays are off (major perk) so you get to enjoy long weekends every week." Neil's LinkedIn pulse describes the model: "Same salary, same workload. We just don't work Friday, Saturday or Sunday. A 3-day weekend."
Annual leave was adjusted from 20 days to 16 days on a pro-rata basis to reflect the reduced work week. The Light Review tracked the rollout: in month 2 of the new schedule "turnover is 102% of monthly target" and on missed deadlines or meetings: "any missed deadlines, any meetings missed? No. We do it by Thursday instead."
To make the model work, Elektra "agreed to tighten up rules we had but just didn't enforce — for example there is now no allowances for time off to go to the dentist / get boiler serviced / pick up delivery."
Perks and Benefits
- 4-day workweek — 35 hours, Monday to Thursday, every Friday off at full pay
- 16 days annual leave (pro-rata) + UK public holidays
- Hybrid working — part-office, part-home (Clerkenwell office)
- Pension included
- In-house training programme for design development
- Long-weekend culture — Monday–Thursday hours protected so deadlines land on Thursday