Rako Controls showcases intelligent lighting at WOW!house 2026

Rako Controls is using WOW!house 2026 to demonstrate how intelligent lighting can shape the atmosphere and functionality of luxury interiors without intruding on the design itself.

The British lighting control specialist has partnered with interior designer Sara Cosgrove and design studio Albion Nord to deliver integrated lighting control across two signature spaces within this year’s showcase event at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.

WOW!house 2026 runs from June 2 to July 2 and brings together leading designers, architects and luxury brands within a full-scale conceptual showhome environment. This year’s edition features 22 individually curated interiors and outdoor spaces, offering visitors and specifiers a close-up look at contemporary residential design trends, craftsmanship and integrated technologies.

For Rako, the project serves as a practical demonstration of how lighting control can support design intent in high-end residential settings. Rather than focusing on technology for its own sake, the installation highlights how layered lighting scenes, subtle dimming and automated transitions can influence mood, accentuate materials and adapt spaces throughout the day.

The company has supplied intelligent lighting control systems for two contrasting interiors. The first, the Phillip Jeffries Morning Room by Sara Cosgrove, has been conceived as what the designer describes as an ‘analogue sanctuary’, intended to provide respite from modern digital life. The room uses soft celadon, cream and lilac tones alongside textured surfaces and tactile materials to encourage calm and reflection.

Within that scheme, Rako’s control platform enables gradual lighting transitions that evolve naturally throughout the day, helping preserve the room’s tranquil atmosphere while drawing attention to subtle material finishes and architectural detail.

The second installation, the Turnell & Gigon Group Drawing Room by Albion Nord, takes inspiration from classical Georgian interiors while reinterpreting them for contemporary residential living. The octagonal space combines traditional proportions with layered fabrics, bespoke detailing and decorative elements intended to bridge heritage and modernity.

Here, Rako’s lighting control has been integrated discreetly into the room’s architecture to support multiple lighting layers and scene settings. The system allows the environment to move smoothly from bright daytime presentation to a warmer, more intimate evening ambience, while maintaining focus on texture and materiality throughout the space.

Paul Wafer, Managing Director of Rako Controls, said the project demonstrates the role intelligent lighting now plays in shaping premium interiors. “Great lighting should enhance the way a space feels without drawing attention to itself,” he commented. “Intelligent control plays an important role in creating that experience.”

Designers and architects are increasingly seeking systems capable of delivering atmosphere, adaptability and intuitive operation without compromising aesthetic simplicity. As a result, lighting control is becoming less of a technical afterthought and more of an integral design tool within luxury residential projects.

Founded in 2002, Rako Controls designs and manufactures its systems in the UK for residential, hospitality and commercial applications. The company’s involvement in WOW!house 2026 places lighting control technology firmly within the broader conversation around experiential interior design and connected living environments.