LUMEN CENTER is a design and lighting company founded in 1976, known for its innovative approach and fusion of modernist tradition and technological experimentation. Initially led by French designer Gilles Derain, the company has collaborated with renowned international designers, consolidating its presence in the global market. LUMEN CENTER is recognised for bespoke designs, the use of advanced technologies such as OLEDs and studies on light in relation to human metabolism, contributing to the lighting of iconic spaces such as the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2015 and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan.

LUMEN CENTER is a design and lighting company founded in 1976 in La-Fare-les-Oliviers, France, under the artistic leadership of Gilles Derain. This brand is distinguished by its innovative approach and deep connection to the tradition of modern French and international design. Derain, a leading figure in contemporary French design, has greatly influenced the artistic direction of LUMEN CENTER through his training at the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM), a movement that promoted functional and rational modernism in design.

A highly talented French designer, Derain studied with Jacques Adnet, a prominent French architect and designer known for his combination of modernism and traditional craftsmanship, and integrated these teachings into his work. Adnet was a pioneer in creating furniture and design objects that combined traditional materials such as leather and wood with steel and glass, profoundly influencing Derain's stylistic and design approach.

One of Gilles Derain's most iconic designs is the MCP lamp, created in 1979. This lamp represents an example of his in-depth research into contemporary lighting and design. The MCP was a significant commercial success and gained such recognition that it was included in the permanent collection of the Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts. This achievement testifies to its impact in the international design world and the continued relevance of its creations.

In 1992, LUMEN CENTER was acquired by a Milanese entrepreneur, opening a new phase of growth and consolidation in the Italian and international lighting market. During this period, the company intensified its collaboration with renowned French designers, including Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the world-renowned architect and urban planner, whose contribution further enhanced the prestige and quality of LUMEN CENTER products.

In the 1990s, the company undertook a major project for the Royal Pines Hotel in Urawa, Japan, called ‘Life River’, in collaboration with VillaTosca Design and Panasonic's European Design Centre. This project highlighted the company's high technical and production expertise, showing its flexibility and ability to realise customised and tailor-made solutions for world-class lighting and interior design projects.

LUMEN CENTER has continued to distinguish itself internationally through innovative initiatives, such as experiments on synesthesia between light, colour and sound, the adoption of alternative light sources such as OLEDs, and studies on the interaction between light and human metabolism, confirming its role as a pioneer in lighting design.

In 2015, the company sponsored the lighting of the food court of the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2015 in Milan, further strengthening its presence on the international scene. To date, LUMEN CENTER contributes to the lighting of important works of art at the Veneranda Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan, demonstrating its constant commitment to supporting important cultural and artistic projects.

LUMEN CENTER, under Derain's leadership and in the course of subsequent developments, has established itself as a creative workshop where lighting is not only functional, but also becomes an artistic and cultural expression. Over the years, the company has maintained a strong connection to its modernist heritage, exploring new technologies and forms, while remaining true to the principles of rational design and pure aesthetics.