Ceridwen Davies discusses the development of KNX in Australia and the value of women’s skills and perspectives in the industry.
By Katie Rose
KNXtoday: Tell us about your experience working in design and commercial lighting – what first sparked your inspiration and how did you come to work at Theben?
CD: My 20-year career in design and commercial lighting began in interior design and evolved into technical lighting design for large-scale commercial projects. I’ve always been inspired by the way light can completely transform not just the aesthetics, but the mood, productivity, and energy efficiency of a space.
I was one of the first people educating electrical engineers and architects about LED lighting in New South Wales, Australia, almost 20 years ago. Back then, LED was brand new, and seven out of ten engineers would say, ‘Great presentation, but this will never replace the conventional lighting we’re using.’ I knew it would in the very near future, and today, LED is the standard in almost every application. That experience taught me the importance of looking beyond the present and helping others understand the potential of emerging technologies.
I joined Theben because of its long-standing reputation for innovation, quality, and sustainability. It was an exciting opportunity to work with a company that has been at the forefront of building automation for nearly 100 years and helped pioneer KNX in Australia.
KNXtoday: What does your current role involve?
CD: I’m the State Sales Manager for Queensland and the Northern Territory, a role which involves education, connection, and technical support. I work closely with architects, interior designers, electrical engineers, contractors, and wholesalers to help them understand the benefits of KNX and Theben’s LUXORliving automation systems.
My day-to-day routine includes delivering CPD (Continuing Professional Development) presentations, assisting with project specifications, training contractors, and showing stakeholders how our systems can improve energy efficiency, comfort, and long-term value. I’m passionate about educating and helping architects provide futureproof systems for their clients that deliver up to 60% energy savings, without compromising on design or functionality.
KNXtoday: How would you describe the current development of KNX in Australia?
CD: KNX adoption in Australia is increasing steadily, particularly in high-end residential, commercial, and sustainable building projects. There’s a growing awareness of the benefits of open-protocol systems compared to closed, proprietary platforms. Education is still key – once specifiers understand KNX’s flexibility, scalability, and longevity, they see the value immediately.
Theben was a founding member of the KNX Association, and branched out into Australia in 2017. The launch of LUXORliving in September 2025 will play a starring role in the growth of KNX in Australia as it can be installed by any licensed electrician without requiring full KNX certification.
KNXtoday: Can you share some examples of KNX building automation projects that are helping promote sustainability, functionality and efficiency?
CD: One recent commercial project integrated Theben KNX to control lighting, HVAC, and blinds for maximum energy efficiency. Daylight harvesting sensors were used to adjust lighting in real time, while automated blinds reduced heat gain and lowered air conditioning loads.
In a luxury residential development, customised scenes such as ‘Away Mode’ were implemented to switch off non-essential circuits, close blinds, and optimise climate control, significantly reducing energy waste. In both cases, the systems are futureproof and can be expanded or updated without replacing the infrastructure.
KNXtoday: What do you feel are the challenges facing women working in tech and what must change in order to support them?
CD: Women are still underrepresented in technical and engineering environments, and as a result, it can be hard to be heard. Unconscious bias still exists in some quarters, where men are more readily assumed to have technical expertise.
The industry needs to increase the visibility of female role models, provide mentoring opportunities, and encourage girls to explore STEM careers from school age. Training and development should be equally accessible, and workplaces need to actively create inclusive environments.
Women’s nurturing nature and design flow bring enormous value to building automation. A more holistic view, which considers how technology integrates into daily life, benefits both projects and clients.
KNXtoday: Are you a member of Women in KNX, and if so, when and why did you join?
CD: Yes, I am now – having joined after you told me about it! I’m very excited to be part of Women in KNX, as I’m keen connect with other women in the industry, share knowledge, and be part of a network that supports diversity in building automation. I also want to help inspire the next generation and demonstrate that women can thrive in technical roles and make a lasting impact.
KNXtoday: In 1969, Theben ran nine VW shuttle buses to help employees get to work. What are Theben’s current policies for supporting female employees and encouraging more women to join the industry?
CD: Theben has always prioritised employee wellbeing. Today, that includes creating an inclusive workplace and providing opportunities for professional growth, particularly for women in technical and leadership roles.
In Australia, we actively encourage female participation in training, CPD, and technical workshops, and we support initiatives such as Future Lady Tradies, Empowered Woman in Trade, NAWIC (National Association of Woman in Construction) and Women in KNX, which promote education, visibility, and connection for women in the field.
KNXtoday: Theben was founded almost a hundred years ago by Paul Schwenk in Germany, who invented the time switch and the ELPA staircase light switch. What innovations are Theben pioneering today?
CD: We’re developing building automation solutions that combine sustainability, comfort, and futureproof technology. LUXORliving is a great example – KNX-based, flexible, and easy to install.
We’re also advancing IoT integration, allowing our products to communicate seamlessly with other platforms and devices, and making our presence and motion detectors smarter than ever. Our devices can now adapt to occupant behaviour to save energy and improve comfort automatically.
KNXtoday: What lights you up about the future of the industry?
CD: The move towards integrated, sustainable, and human-centric building design excites me most. Automation is no longer a luxury – it’s becoming a necessity for efficiency and sustainability. Seeing the gap close between high-tech capabilities and real-world accessibility is inspiring. The future lies in systems that are smart yet simple, adaptable, and designed to work for decades.
KNXtoday: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
CD: Technology should serve people. Theben’s mission is to pioneer smart systems that are simple, reliable, and adaptable, delivering solutions that stand the test of time.
I’d also like to encourage more women to join our industry – your perspective and skills are needed, and there are huge opportunities.
KNXtoday: How can people connect with you?
CD: I’m always happy to connect with industry professionals, specifiers, and anyone curious about KNX or best building sustainability options with Theben or LUXORliving.
Cediwen Davies is the Sales Manager of Building Automation at Theben Australia, a company which delivers smart, sustainable KNX automation solutions for homes and buildings worldwide.
ceridwen@theben.au
www.linkedin.com/in/ceridwen-d-ba710714
www.theben.com.au
