Ten questions on ten years: A conversation with Amphis's managing director, David Sheils
Ten years ago, Amphis began with a simple idea: that lighting could be done better.
What started as a small team with a clear vision has grown into a business that helps shape how people experience life in their homes, workspaces and community every day.
To mark a decade of growth, learning and partnership, managing director David Sheils reflects on the journey so far. From early decisions and defining projects to the values that still guides the business today, Dave shares the moments that shaped Amphis.
Amphis celebrates '10 years off illuminating life' in 2026
Before we begin, here are a few ideas that have defined the first ten years.
Ten years at a glance:
- Founded to improve lighting outcomes for volume builders
- Built on a consultant-led approach to lighting design
- Expanded into commercial, retail and industrial environments
- Acquired LSI Hamilton Lighting Systems in 2023
- Focused on education, long-term partnerships and lighting outcomes
Let’s time travel back ten years. How did Amphis begin and what does the name mean?
We started Amphis after noticing a gap in how lighting was delivered for volume builders.
Most projects relied on electricians or retail stores, which meant decisions were driven by cost or decorative choices rather than how a home actually felt to live in. We saw an opportunity to do things differently.
We crafted a consultant-led model where lighting was thoughtfully designed upfront, ordered through us, held until needed, and delivered ready for install. The goal was simple. No last-minute reselections, no discontinued products, and homes that were finished properly when people moved in.
Those who have been around since the beginning will remember that we started business as Lumi Lighting before we re-branded in 2022. The name Amphis comes from the Greek word ‘amphi’, meaning two sides. From the start, lighting had a duality for us. Decorative and essential, residential and commercial, light and shadow. The name reflects that balance and how we approach lighting as both functional and experiential.
The early days: Our first products, first installation in a display and our first ever delivery.
What were things like at the beginning?
Year one was all about building the foundations. The team was just me and two others. Our first major partner was Metricon, and most of our energy went into establishing the system. Building the product portfolio, setting pricing, creating a website and catalogues, and travelling overseas to meet suppliers.
Projects were mostly volume builder homes, with only a few small residential jobs outside that. We operated out of a small Port Melbourne warehouse, packing and delivering orders ourselves while refining the process. We even set up a little photography studio to DIY the product imagery.
It took about nine months to get a call-up to deliver lights to a building site, but once that happened, orders picked up quickly. At eighteen months ,we hired a warehouse team member to pack orders which felt like a big milestone.
What’s changed since that first year?
The biggest change has been our expansion into commercial and industrial lighting. Ten years ago, I would not have expected we would be working in this space.
We’ve grown from a purely residential volume builder focus into lighting retail environments, hospitality venues, warehouses, car parks and large-scale commercial spaces.
Our team and capabilities have evolved significantly, particularly after acquiring LSI Hamilton Lighting Systems in 2023, which accelerated our growth.
We’ve also shifted from being seen as a product supplier to becoming a trusted lighting partner. Today, our focus is on education, design thinking and delivering meaningful lighting outcomes across a much broader range of projects.
From a small crew of three, we now have over thirty people in the Amphis team.
What’s stayed consistent since day one?
We’ve always prioritised thoughtful design, education and making sure customers receive what was planned without unnecessary rework. Long-term relationships have also remained central to the business.
Key partners like Metricon and several suppliers have been with us since the beginning, and many customers continue to return project after project.
Our core philosophy hasn’t changed. Helping people light spaces well and get it right the first time. Internally, the team’s passion for lighting and improving customer experience has stayed constant, even as the business has grown and evolved.
Ten years is significant. What key projects stand out to you?
The St. Hubert’s winery project was a major milestone. It was our first large-scale commercial installation and a moment that showed how impactful lighting could be in shaping an experience.
The warm, inviting restaurant spaces and detailed architectural lighting made it memorable. Beyond that, many display homes and residential projects stand out, particularly those where clients return years later wanting us involved again. Seeing builders, architects and homeowners continue to trust us with future projects is just as significant as any single site.
A milestone project - St Hubert's winery.
To mark Amphis 10, the anniversary, you’ve chosen ‘Ten years of illuminating life’ as the tag line. What does that mean to you?
To me, it’s about opening people’s eyes to what lighting can do. Not just how spaces look, but how they feel and how people experience them every day.
Lighting touches every part of life, from homes and workplaces to retail stores and public spaces. Over the last decade, we’ve helped clients understand that impact and make more informed decisions.
It also reflects our own journey. Learning more about lighting ourselves, then sharing that knowledge to help others create better environments to live and work in.
How has lighting changed over the last ten years and how has Amphis evolved with that?
When we started, conversations were mostly about decorative products and aesthetics. Today, lighting is far more focused on performance, efficiency and how it affects wellbeing and atmosphere.
Advances in colour rendering, glare reduction and control technology have changed what’s possible. As a business, we’ve evolved alongside that. We’ve deepened our technical knowledge, focusing on lighting outcomes rather than just products, and built spaces like Studio Amphis to demonstrate how light shapes mood and experience.
The shift has been from simply lighting spaces to truly designing how they feel.
Our very first display for Metricon Homes, alongside new projects for Joyne Studio and Glenvill Homes, photographed by Dylan James.
How do you hope partners feel when they’re working with Amphis?
I hope partners feel informed and confident in the decisions they make.
Our role isn’t to push one solution, but to provide the right information so clients can choose what works for their project and lifestyle. Lighting can be approached in many ways, and we want people to feel supported, educated and comfortable asking questions.
We want partners to walk away feeling they made the right choices and had a collaborative, positive experience throughout the process.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of the last ten years? Is there something you’re most proud of?
The people, both the Amphis team and our long-term partners.
Seeing the passion within the business, especially during team events and milestones, is something I’m incredibly proud of. Many staff, suppliers and clients have been with us for years, and those relationships mean a lot.
Growth is important, but what stands out most is the shared enthusiasm for what we do and the sense that everyone involved genuinely cares about improving lighting and creating better spaces together.
The Amphis team, and our great clients and suppliers are the 'why' driving the business.
What's shining on the horizon for Amphis?
We see strong opportunity ahead, particularly in helping more builders and residential clients light their projects better from the start.
Ultimately, the goal is simple. Keep improving how we support our partners and keep raising the standard of lighting across every space we work in.
Expanding our presence in retail and commercial environments remains a key focus, where thoughtful lighting can make a real difference to how spaces perform and feel. Alongside that, we’re continuing to develop new products, embracing evolving technology and growing our European product offering.
Ten years on, Amphis has grown beyond residential projects into commercial, industrial and retail spaces. The goal remains unchanged - helping people light spaces better through considered lighting.
Ten years in, Amphis’s purpose remains clear. We exist to help people light spaces better through considered lighting. The Amphis 10 milestone reflects the people, partnerships and projects that made the journey possible, and the belief that lighting, done well, genuinely improves how people experience life.