Light has a quiet power. It defines how we perceive a
space, how we feel within it, and how we remember it. It can turn simplicity
into drama or transform grandeur into warmth. A single shift in tone can alter
mood, depth, and purpose; turning walls into storytellers and ceilings into
canvases. Light, when thoughtfully designed, does more than illuminate; it
shapes experience, emotion, and identity.
For nearly four decades, Suman Suneja has
devoted his life to mastering this dialogue between light and space. His
distinction lies not merely in his technical mastery but in his sensitivity to
what light can evoke.
The Story Behind the First Glow
Working in Oman, Suman found
himself drawn to the world of illumination, fascinated by how light could
define a space, evoke emotion, and enhance architecture. His curiosity led him
to Europe, where he trained with some of the continent’s most respected
lighting houses. Those months were transformative, as he immersed himself not
only in the aesthetics of lighting but also in the technical fundamentals that
underpin it.
“I learned early on that good lighting is not about
brightness; it is about balance,” he recalls. “Lux levels, photometry, color
temperatures, and lighting calculations may sound like dry details, but they
are the foundation of beauty.”
That technical rigor has guided every professional
decision he has made since.
In 1995, he took his first major entrepreneurial step
by launching World of Lights in partnership with a Russian associate.
The company operated both project and wholesale channels, supplying lighting
solutions across the UAE and exporting to the Russian market. Under his
leadership, the firm grew steadily, establishing a strong presence in both regions.
Through this experience, Suman mastered the complexities of managing client
expectations, design precision, production schedules, and cross-border
logistics.
But like all great journeys, his was not without
setbacks. In 1999, the Russian economy collapsed following the currency crisis,
sending shockwaves through international trade. The impact on his business was
immediate and severe. His partner eventually returned to Russia, and by 2001
Suman made the difficult decision to restructure and rebuild under a new
identity. From this challenge, Murano Lighting was born.
“The experience taught me resilience,” he says. “Every
failure carries a lesson. When I started Murano Lighting, I carried forward not
just experience, but the determination to do things differently.”
Bridging Worlds Through Light
Murano Lighting entered the market with a clear vision
to merge Italian artistry with precise engineering. Suman forged an early
partnership with Vistosi, a renowned Murano-based Italian studio,
bringing the elegance of Italian decorative lighting to the UAE’s growing
luxury design market. This collaboration positioned the brand as a bridge
between European craftsmanship and Middle Eastern architectural ambition.
“From the beginning, we wanted to redefine what
decorative lighting could be,” Suman explains. “It was not just about importing
beauty; it was about integrating design, technology, and reliability into one
seamless experience.”
By 2005, as global demand for premium yet affordable
lighting grew, Suman anticipated the shift. He began sourcing factories in
China and spent two years developing relationships that culminated in a
joint-venture factory in 2007. The facility was purpose-built to manufacture
high-end customized lighting for hotels, villas, offices, and bespoke
interiors. Each fixture was designed to meet specific design intent, technical
requirements, and installation precision.
Breaking Through with The Address Downtown
The turning point came in 2007 and 2008 with Murano
Lighting’s participation in The Address Downtown Dubai. The team’s
prototypes were approved by WA International and the Emaar ID Team,
leading to a landmark order to supply all guestroom lighting. The project was
not just a commercial win but a defining moment that validated Murano’s
value-engineered approach.
By creating customized solutions, Emaar achieved up to
60 percent cost savings without compromising on quality or aesthetics. This
success established Murano as a trusted partner for major developers and
hospitality brands. Soon after, the company was awarded lighting projects for The
Palace Hotel, Qamardeen Hotel, Chirag Hotel, and many others.
“We realized that hospitality was our true calling,”
Suman reflects. “Hotels demand consistency, speed, and precision. Every detail
matters from light diffusion to installation coordination and that discipline
plays to our strengths.”
Three Pillars of Excellence
Murano Lighting’s growth has been anchored on three
unshakeable pillars: value engineering, uncompromising quality, and disciplined
delivery. For Suman, these are not just business principles; they are daily
practices that define the company’s culture.
“Value engineering is not about cutting corners; it is
about intelligent design,” he explains. “We refine materials, use efficient
LEDs, and simplify assembly to make products smarter and more sustainable.”
The company’s obsession with quality is equally
uncompromising. Every fixture undergoes meticulous inspection for welding
precision, concealed fixings, seamless joints, and uniform light diffusion.
Murano’s delivery discipline is legendary in the industry. Each project is
accompanied by exhaustive shop drawings detailing wire sizes, plating
specifications, lamp types, and packing sequences, ensuring seamless on-site
installation.
This attention to detail has earned Murano the trust of leading global design houses and consultants including HBA, Emaar ID Team, Khatib and Alami, NIC Abu Dhabi, Wilson Associates, Kristina Zanic, Atkins, KCA, Nakheel, DWP and DEPA Interiors. Many of these firms have personally visited Murano’s factories to inspect prototypes and production methods. Their feedback is actively integrated into subsequent production cycles, creating a culture of continuous improvement.
Engineering Brilliance and Design Artistry
Murano Lighting’s factory network offers an impressive array of materials, from metal finishes, glass molds, and fabrics to synthetic and natural alabaster, parchment papers, and rattan. With nearly two decades of experience in customization, the company can replicate virtually any design concept with technical precision.
Suman’s team also ensures that every fixture aligns with modern building management systems such as GRMS, DALI, and TRIAC dimmers. Each design is optimized for lumen efficiency and maintenance ease, balancing aesthetic intent with long-term practicality.
Among Murano’s most complex achievements are
monumental chandeliers that showcase both artistic vision and engineering
expertise. A highlight is the 53-metre chandelier for Hampton by
Hilton, Ras Al Khaimah, composed of 3,500 individually labeled profiles.
Another is the 21-metre chandelier for Sofitel The Obelisk, Dubai,
featuring 695 glass elements suspended beneath a mirrored ceiling and long
chandelier at Al Ain Rotana depicting
falling leaves during autumn season. Projects like these required intricate
structural coordination, voltage management, and flawless visual uniformity.
“These installations are more than decorative
elements,” Suman says. “They are feats of engineering, each telling a story of
collaboration and precision.”
Shaping the Future of Global
Illumination
Under Suman’s leadership, Murano Lighting has steadily
evolved into a full-service lighting powerhouse. In 2015, the company became
the exclusive regional agent for Palette Lighting, a UK brand
specializing in architectural, landscape, and façade lighting. This partnership
expanded Murano’s expertise beyond decorative applications into comprehensive
lighting ecosystems.
Today, Murano Lighting operates in more than 20
countries across the Middle East, Central Asia, India, and Africa, with active
expansion into Japan, the Philippines, and the Far East. Its end-to-end service
model encompasses lighting consultancy, design, manufacturing, supply, and
installation.
The company’s growth has also been guided by
environmental awareness. Many of its recent projects are LEED-compliant,
utilizing recyclable materials and the most energy-efficient LED technologies.
“Sustainability is not an afterthought,” Suman affirms. “It is an integral part
of how we design, manufacture, and deliver.”
Our certification department in China factory is well equipped to comply with certificate requirement of different countries.
The Human Dimension: Laughter and Light
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Suman’s
journey is illuminated by his passion for laughter and wellness. For the past
15 years, he has been a certified Laughter Yoga teacher, conducting
sessions in corporate settings, yoga studios, and community events. His belief
that laughter can heal and energize has made him affectionately known as the Laughter
Ambassador of the Emirates.
“I see laughter as another form of light,” he shares
with a smile. “It brightens people from within.”
He also creates “Laugh and Dance” productions,
collaborating with Bollywood choreographers and sharing these joyful
performances with over 10,000 Laughter Clubs in 125 countries. His favorite
sayings “Fake it till you make it”, “When you take the laughter dose, you do
not need the doctor dose” and “When in trouble laugh double and trouble
disappear like bubble”, reflect his philosophy that joy is a daily practice and
a source of resilience.
A Legacy of Service and Innovation
Clients choose Murano Lighting for its reliability,
craftsmanship, and single-point accountability. Whether it is achieving the
required lux levels, translating a designer’s vision into reality, or
coordinating complex installations, Murano delivers with precision and
integrity.
“Our responsibility does not end with the product,”
Suman emphasizes. “We stay with the project until the last fixture shines
perfectly.”
As the company continues to expand globally, its
mission remains unchanged to deliver technically sound, aesthetically refined,
and sustainable lighting that elevates spaces and lives. For Suman, this
mission goes beyond business. It is about creating harmony between innovation
and emotion, between functionality and art.
“Light is a living element,” he reflects. “When used
thoughtfully, it not only defines a space but also uplifts the human spirit.
That has been my lifelong pursuit to bring light that inspires, comforts, and
connects people.”
From his early years of learning in Europe to leading
a global brand with operations across continents, Suman Suneja’s journey is a
testament to perseverance, precision, and passion. His legacy at Murano
Lighting continues to shine brightly, illuminating not just architectural
marvels, but the very essence of human creativity and joy.
In service lies success has been always the heart of
operations in Murano Lighting. Who are feature in one of the best international magazine Business Minds Media
