Isambard creates on Gadigal and Wurundjeri Country.
We pay respect to the custodians of this land and their elders and acknowledge their sovereignty over these lands was never ceded.
We're Isambard
...and we really hate bad lighting.
Isambard is the creative, independent lighting consultancy from awarded architectural and theatrical lighting designers Stefan Isherwood and Kim Straatemeier.
We work with Architects, Artisans and Auteurs to create bespoke, timeless and breath-taking installations through the use of artificial light; from dynamic theatre and immersive sculpture through to private residential, bespoke retail and public domain used by millions of commuters each year.
Our work ethos and three decades of experience help to differentiate us from other lighting studios; our team is small, frightfully nimble and all come from a theatrical background where the effect of light and shadow sells the narrative, not product.
We light.
Who tf?
...We don't take light lightly.

Stefan Isherwood
Creative Director
Eora-SYDNEY [the glamour]
Based in Sydney and with a foundation in the construction and illumination of touring circus, contemporary dance and national opera, Stefan has worked with a collection of the world’s top architecture, landscape and interior design practices on projects throughout North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia, and in scale from private residences to casinos.
Stefan’s in-depth knowledge of light, shadow and materiality begins from initial concept development, allowing Isambard to work with our clients to develop lighting schemes which fulfil their full potential.

Kim Straatemeier
Technical Director
Naarm-MELBOURNE [the culture]
Based in Melbourne, Kim is a lighting designer who knows that great design rarely comes from following the rules. With a background in theatre and event design, and a lifelong obsession with how light interacts with space, he works closely with Architects, Artists, Engineers, and Fabricators to use light to push boundaries and elevate the built environment. Kim’s substantive and highly awarded portfolio of work spans commercial, heritage, hospitality, infrastructure, and public spaces across the world.
Kim’s approach is influenced by his past work; hands-on, concept-driven, and collaborative, knowing lighting can be tuned to the nuances of people, place and purpose.
What & Where?
Like a menu, but it's not food.
*Not edible, but awarded nonetheless
Civic.
Brooke St Pier*
Caulfield-Dandenong Rail*
Little Saigon Archway*
Melbourne Airport
Parliament of Victoria*
Port Melbourne Rail
South Geelong Rail
Sydney Town Hall Station*
University of Queensland
Victorian Cancer Centre*
Victorian Police Headquarters
Windsor Plaza*
Wynyard Station*
Hospitality.
Annabel’s
Cabra-Vale Diggers Club
Canterbury Leagues Club
City of Dreams Manila
City Tattersall’s Club
Crown Casino Melbourne
Crown Casino Sydney
Dee Why RSL Club
Gochi Japanese
Hakkasan Las Vegas
Hotel Nishi*
Liverpool Catholic Club
QT Perth*
QT Sydney*
QT Wellington
Sean’s Kitchen*
The Glasshouse
The Star Casino
Trinity Country Club
Wrest Point Casino*
Commerce.
60 Castlereagh St*
180 Flinders St*
207 Kent St
405 Bourke St*
447 Collins St*
510 Church St
Adelaide Festival Square*
Carpe Diem Barangaroo*
CSL Biotechnology
EY Sydney
Grimshaw Studio Melbourne
Hassel Studio Melbourne
Hassel Studio Perth
Parramatta Square*
TFNSW Macquarie Park*
Retail.
Crumpler Flagship Melbourne
Leica Flagship Melbourne
Moncler Mayfair
Scanlan Theodore Dallas
Scanlan Theodore Perth
Sener Besim Melbourne
The Hourglass
Zimmermann Melbourne
Zimmermann Palm Beach
Private Residential.
Albert Park I
Albert Park II
Chelsea
Collingwood
Double Bay*
Dubai I
Dubai II
Hunter Valley
Kensington*
Knightsbridge
Maroubra
Rose Bay*
South Coogee
Surrey
Toorak
Awards.
And the oscar for best dog goes to...
40 UNDER 40 LIGHTING DESIGNERS
Light Collective [Kim Straatemeier]
’23
40 UNDER 40 LIGHTING DESIGNERS
Light Collective [Stefan Isherwood]
’22
180 FLINDERS ST
Illuminating Engineering Society . WSP
’22
60 CASTLEREAGH ST
Illuminating Engineering Society . LightstudioMG
’22
TFNSW MACQUARIE PARK
Illuminating Engineering Society . LightstudioMG
’22
447 COLLINS ST
Illuminating Engineering Society . WSP
’21
CARPE DIEM BARANGAROO
Australian Institute of Architects . LLIGHT
’20
CAULFIELD-DANDENONG RAIL
Illuminating Engineering Society . WSP
’18
COMMONWEALTH BANK HQ
LIT Design Awards . LLIGHT
’18