July 15, 2025
Salas O'Brien Acquires Lighting Design Alliance
Above: Chip Israel at Lumen West 2023; back against the wall but, as always, very much in control
Chip Israel’s acclaimed firm joins national engineering firm amid M&A wave
Salas O’Brien announced that it has acquired Lighting Design Alliance (LDA), the internationally recognized lighting design firm founded and led by Charles E. “Chip” Israel. The move brings one of the most respected independent lighting studios in the world into the fold of one of the fastest-growing multidisciplinary engineering firms in North America.
Founded in 1992 and based in Long Beach, California, LDA has built a global reputation for its work on large-scale architectural lighting projects in hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, and transportation. The firm’s portfolio includes the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, Chimelong Spaceship Marine Science Park in Zhuhai, and The Londoner Macao, among hundreds of other projects. LDA’s team will now operate as part of Salas O’Brien, while continuing to deliver lighting design services under its established leadership.
Maintaining Identity Within a National Firm
“Joining Salas O’Brien opens up exciting new possibilities for both our team and our clients,” said Israel, Co-CEO and Founder of Lighting Design Alliance. “This merger expands our abilities, while staying true to the creativity, rigor, and design integrity that have always defined our work.”
Based in Irvine, California, Salas O’Brien has completed more than 40 acquisitions over the past decade, growing its employee base to more than 3,800 across 85 offices. While the firm has absorbed other companies with in-house lighting studios, this may be its first acquisition of a firm focused exclusively on architectural lighting design at scale.
Chip Israel’s Ongoing Influence
For many in the lighting community, LDA’s identity is closely tied to Israel, who has played a significant leadership role in the profession. In June, he was named recipient of the 2025 Louis B. Marks Award by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), recognizing his service and advocacy on behalf of the industry. A past president of the IES, Israel is widely known for mentoring emerging professionals and advancing lighting design as a distinct discipline within the broader AEC landscape.
According to public statements, LDA will retain its design-focused mission and continue serving existing and future clients as part of Salas O’Brien’s network. The acquisition highlights Salas O’Brien’s continued strategy of expanding its capabilities through targeted mergers, particularly in specialty disciplines.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
