Project Update: Café Lighting Installation at the New MANA Martial Arts Gym

This space is designed to be more than just a place to grab a coffee. It’s a social hub within the gym, somewhere people can relax, meet, and spend time before or after training. From the outset, the lighting needed to reflect that purpose while also fitting the overall industrial aesthetic of the building.

Designing lighting to suit the space

The café sits within a raw, modern structure with exposed concrete ceilings and clean white walls. Rather than trying to hide these features, the decision was made to lean into the industrial look and make it part of the finished design.

That approach heavily influenced how the lighting was installed.

Instead of concealing cabling above ceilings or boxing everything in, we used metal cable tray and steel conduit as the primary containment method. This keeps the installation compliant and robust, while also becoming a visible design feature in its own right.

Industrial containment with purpose

Metal tray and conduit are often associated with commercial and industrial environments, but when used thoughtfully, they can look intentional and sharp rather than purely functional.

For this project:

Metal tray was installed at ceiling level to form the main containment routes

Steel conduit drops were taken to each pendant position

Fixings were carefully aligned and evenly spaced to keep everything symmetrical

The result is a clean, structured layout that feels deliberate, not improvised. The containment becomes part of the ceiling detail, complementing the concrete rather than competing with it.

Café lighting layout

The café lighting consists of pendant fittings positioned above the bar and seating areas. These fittings were chosen to provide warm, focused light, creating a relaxed atmosphere without over-lighting the space.

Pendant lighting works particularly well in cafés because:

• It defines zones within open-plan areas
• It creates a softer, more inviting feel
• It draws the eye downward, making high ceilings feel less imposing

Each pendant has been carefully positioned to ensure consistent spacing and even coverage across the working and seating areas.

Balancing style with practicality

While the visual impact of the lighting was important, it also needed to be practical for day-to-day use.

Things we considered during installation included:

• Suitable light levels for food preparation and seating
• Glare reduction for customers and staff
• Ease of maintenance and lamp replacement
• Durability in a busy commercial environment

Using surface-mounted containment also means future changes or additions can be made without major disruption, which is a big advantage in commercial spaces that may evolve over time.

Working within a live project

As you can see from the photos, this installation took place while other trades were still on site. Surfaces were protected, tools kept organised, and work areas maintained to minimise disruption.

This kind of coordination is essential on commercial projects, particularly when deadlines are tight and multiple trades are working simultaneously.

The finished look

Once energised, the warm glow from the pendant fittings contrasts nicely with the raw concrete ceiling and white walls. The metal tray and conduit frame the lighting rather than distracting from it, reinforcing the industrial aesthetic the space is aiming for.

It’s a good example of how electrical installations don’t always need to be hidden. When designed properly, they can contribute to the overall look and feel of a space.

Final thoughts

This café lighting installation at MANA Martial Arts is a great example of form and function working together. By using metal tray and conduit as part of the design, the lighting feels purposeful, robust, and visually in keeping with the gym’s identity.

We’re looking forward to sharing more updates as the project progresses and the wider gym space comes together.

If you’re planning a commercial space and want lighting that’s both practical and visually considered, early planning and the right installation approach make all the difference.

Does your business need a lighting upgrade? Contact us today.