Intent.
Integration.
Impact.
Delivered.
At SMS Illuminate, we do not start with fixtures.
We start with the experience the space is meant to create, the architectural vision behind it, and how to translate both into clear design intent, coordinated documentation, controls, and delivery.
We bring together creative lighting design and engineering discipline, so the vision is not separated from the realities of power, controls, constructability, documentation, and delivery.
We're passionately committed to delivering:
INTENT, INTEGRATION & IMPACT
We protect the design intent of a space from the first concept conversation through documentation, controls strategy, and real-world execution, so what gets built matches what was envisioned, stays true to the concept through delivery, and elevates the experience of the architecture.
INTENT
Design intent, made tangible.
We translate concept, mood, and hierarchy into a clear lighting narrative of what matters most, what gets highlighted, and how the space should feel.
INTEGRATION
Design integration, made buildable.
We weave together lighting, architecture, electrical, and controls so the intent installs cleanly, reads beautifully, and functions as envisioned.
IMPACT
Design impact, fully realized.
The vision makes it to the finish line, so the built result feels cohesive, intentional, and designed to leave a lasting impression.
A little bit about who we are so you know what to expect.
SMS Illuminate is fluent in both worlds: the world of architecture and the world of engineering.
We understand vision, concept, intent, atmosphere, mood, feeling, experience, hierarchy, materiality, and how a space should feel. We also understand controls, integration, constructability, documentation, commissioning, functionality, and real-world execution.
That combination makes SMS Illuminate the bridge between architectural vision and engineering reality: the ideal partner who can take the space an architect or interior designer is wanting to create, convert it into clear lighting intent, and carry it through to something that installs cleanly and delivers the intended experience.
This is what makes SMS Illuminate different.
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We do not start with fixtures. We start with feeling.
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We do not simply add lighting at the end of a project. We help shape the lighting concept early, so the intent, budget, and final experience are protected from the beginning.
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We do not compete with the architect’s vision. We preserve it, strengthen it, and bring it into light.
With every project, we help teams create lighting effects that feel right, work beautifully, and bring the space to life.
Our LightHouse™ Process
We elevate how
spaces feel, function,
and come to life.
Our LightHouse Process is a design-led 6-step process that starts with the experience the space is meant to create, then integrates lighting, controls, and documentation to optimize impact, balancing atmosphere, function, and real-world constraints from concept through delivery. Like a lighthouse, it guides the project through uncertainty, protects the concept, and keeps the team aligned so the design intent makes it to the finish line.
1 // Experience Discovery
To uncover the real ambition of the space, not “we need lighting,” but the vision, feeling, atmosphere, mood, and story the space is meant to create.
2 // Intent Translation
To translate architectural language into lighting intent the project team can act on, so the concept becomes clear, buildable, and protected.
3 // Concept Design
To design effects first — hierarchy, layers, atmosphere, mood — then determine how to achieve them with the right strategies, fixtures, and placement.
4 // Integrated Documentation
To turn the concept into buildable direction within real constraints while preserving the vision, mood, and intended feel of the space.
5 // Controls Alignment
To make sure the experience translates through scenes, zoning, dimming behaviour, and controls that match the concept.
6 // Delivery Protection
To keep the intent intact through substitutions, shop drawings, aiming, commissioning, and site realities.
Meet the Lead Behind the Light
SMS Illuminate is led by Elaina Samardzija, SMS’s Architectural Lighting Designer. With an extensive background in architecture and architectural lighting design, Elaina brings a design lens that resonates with architects and interior designers because she understands the language of concept, mood, materiality, hierarchy, and spatial experience.
Elaina leads the lighting vision, concept, mood, hierarchy, and experience of the space. Alongside her is a talented team of engineers and designers who bring the technical depth, coordination, documentation, controls, and constructability needed to bring that vision to life.
From early concept conversations to lighting strategy, documentation, controls alignment, and delivery support, SMS Illuminate brings architectural design thinking and engineering discipline together.
Clients are not hiring one person. They are accessing a repeatable SMS capability, led by a lighting expert, supported by a capable team, grounded in process, and backed by more than six decades of SMS Engineering credibility.
Led by vision, mastery, and passion.
Backed by SMS.
Elaina Samardsija
Artchitectural Lighting Designer
Vision. Atmosphere. Experience.
I lead the creative lighting vision, shaping mood, hierarchy, and the way a space is meant to feel.
Chris Hewitt
President, Senior Electrical Engineer
Leadership. Integration. Technical Depth. I bring senior engineering insight and strategic oversight to help carry the lighting vision confidently into execution.
Paul Sadowsky
Electrical Engineer
Coordination. Precision. Performance. I help translate lighting intent into coordinated electrical solutions that work beautifully in the real world.
Bryan Smith
Associate Partner, Senior Electrical Designer
Experience. Detail. Constructability. I bring deep electrical design expertise to help ensure the concept is practical, coordinated, and buildable.
Jared Berezowsky
Electrical Designer
Detail. Documentation. Integration.
I support the technical development of the design, helping turn lighting intent into clear, coordinated documentation.
Who We Are Best Suited To Serve
✔ Architects
For teams who want to preserve and elevate their vision through lighting that supports concept, hierarchy, mood, and spatial experience.
✔ Interior Designers:
For designers who want mood, atmosphere, hierarchy, and experience to be felt in the finished space.
✔ Contractors and Project Teams:
For teams that need lighting, controls, and documentation to work together clearly, reducing grey zones, rework, delays, and avoidable spend.
✔ Owners and Developers:
For decision-makers who want the finished space to feel intentional, memorable, and aligned with the investment.
✔ Engineering Firms:
For firms that need a trusted lighting design partner who can carry design intent through technical execution without friction.
Why Choose SMS Illuminiate?
When the space matters, lighting cannot be treated as an afterthought.
You need more than fixtures, layouts, or technical compliance. You need a lighting partner who understands the experience the space is meant to create, respects the architectural vision behind it, and knows how to translate both into clear design intent, coordinated documentation, controls, and delivery.
That’s exactly what SMS Illuminate delivers.
Our clients choose us not only for what we design, but how we do it.
Lighting that brings the
space into light.
“Great lighting doesn’t ask for attention. It directs it, shapes it, and changes how the entire space is experienced.”
– Elaina Samardzija
Lead Architectural Lighting Designer at SMS Illuminate