Oculus Light Studio Expands Reach with Acquisition of CD+M Americas

Oculus Light Studio has officially acquired the Americas division of CD+M Lighting Design Group, a move that broadens the firm’s expertise, expands its international capabilities, and creates new opportunities for its growing team.

Although the two firms began working together in April, Principal Archit Jain explained the transaction was formally completed only last week.

“There is a high level of trust and therefore we started informally working together in April,” Archit said. “It was only formalized at the end of last week when we signed the papers. That’s when it really happened.”

The acquisition includes only CD+M’s Americas operations. The firm’s international practice—including its well-established offices in Dubai, Cairo, and Milan—remains independent. However, the two organizations will work together on projects around the world.

A Complementary Fit

For Oculus, the acquisition wasn’t simply about adding another lighting design firm. It was about expanding into markets where CD+M has built an impressive reputation over nearly four decades.

Founded in 1986 as City Design Group by Ted Ferreira, the firm later became CD+M Lighting Design Group after partnering with Mark Rosenberg. Over the years, CD+M developed a strong portfolio in hospitality, gaming, and themed entertainment while also establishing a significant presence throughout the Middle East.

Oculus brings a different set of strengths.

Its portfolio has traditionally centered on workplace, retail, institutional, residential, and mixed-use projects. While the firm has completed hospitality and entertainment work, those sectors have not represented the same share of its business as they have for CD+M.

“When we looked at the project types, they were very complementary,” Archit said. “Their portfolio has been mostly hospitality, themed entertainment and gaming. Ours has been workplace, retail, institutional and residential. Together, we can now market across all of those sectors.”

Building a Global Platform

The acquisition also strengthens Oculus’ ability to support clients on international projects.

Historically, Oculus has completed projects throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia, China, India, and the Caribbean whenever U.S.-based architects or interior designers led the project team. Today, however, international work accounts for only about five to ten percent of the firm’s business.

Archit believes the relationship with CD+M’s overseas organization creates new opportunities.

“If we’re designing something here and it’s being built overseas, they can support those projects locally,” he said. “It gives us a much better chance to serve clients wherever their projects are.”

That local support is increasingly valuable as architecture and interior design firms continue expanding across multiple continents.

Built by Designers with Global Experience

The acquisition reflects the backgrounds of Oculus founders Archit Jain and Scott Hatton.  Before launching Oculus nearly 15 years ago, both spent approximately 12 years at Lighting Design Alliance, working on projects throughout the United States and internationally.

Archit earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in building science before spending 14 years with leading lighting design firms. His almost 30 years of work has included commercial developments, mixed-use projects, retail, residential, and hospitality projects across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, China, India, and the Caribbean.

Scott brings more than 25 years of lighting design experience and has developed numerous award-winning projects through close collaboration with architects, interior designers, and owners. He is also known for mentoring younger designers and fostering a studio culture focused on both creativity and professional development.

Today, Oculus employs 17 people located in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and Atlanta. Rather than hiring experienced designers from outside the firm, Oculus has largely promoted from within. “We’ve hardly ever hired at a senior level,” Archit said. “People have grown with us over many years.”

That philosophy influenced the acquisition.  “As we grow, our people need places to grow,” he said. “The only way we can do that is if the firm itself grows.”

CD+M The Green Planet Museum

Ted Ferreira Stays Involved

The transaction also ensures continuity for long-time CD+M clients.

Ted Ferreira will remain active in business development, supporting both Oculus in the Americas and CD+M’s international practice. His continued involvement preserves decades of client relationships while Oculus integrates ongoing projects into its own operations.

According to Archit, integrating those projects has been the firm’s immediate priority.

“We’ve taken a lot of the work that was already at CD+M and integrated it into our office,” he said. “The processes are different, the projects are in different stages, so there’s been a learning curve. But we’re excited about the work that’s there.”

AI Helps Designers Work Smarter

Like many firms, Oculus is exploring how artificial intelligence can improve productivity rather than replace creativity. Archit said the firm uses Google’s NotebookLM to search thousands of historical proposals, specifications, and project records.

Instead of manually reviewing years of files, designers can ask questions such as whether Oculus has completed a 10,000-square-foot retail project in a particular region. The software quickly identifies similar projects, along with project size and historical fees. “It’s more of a processing tool than an intelligence tool,” Archit said.

The firm also uses AI to assist with visualization, prepare lighting package documentation, and reduce the time required for several internal production tasks.

Looking Ahead

For Archit and Scott, the acquisition is about far more than increasing headcount. It broadens Oculus’ expertise in hospitality, gaming, and themed entertainment, strengthens its ability to support clients internationally, and creates new career paths for the firm’s next generation of leaders.

Combined with the firm’s deliberate approach to growth and its investment in technology, the acquisition positions Oculus Light Studio for its next chapter—one built on complementary strengths, global collaboration, and steady, sustainable expansion.

Cover Image: Oculus Orum Road Residence

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