In the studio with... Valeria • Senior Lighting Designer

Summary

This video script discusses the speaker's journey from architecture to lighting design, emphasizing the importance of lighting in shaping space and emotions. Working at Foster + Partners, they explore the integration of lighting with architecture from concept to completion, using software for calculations and renderings. The script highlights the rewarding aspects of lighting design, such as creating contrast and emotions through light, and pushing boundaries in sustainable and unique design.

Takeaways

• 🏛 The speaker's background is in architecture, but they became increasingly interested in the role of lighting in shaping spaces.
• 💡 They noticed a significant difference in lighting levels between Italy and London, with the latter being much darker.
• 🔆 The speaker has experience working in a lighting consultancy studio and is now at Foster + Partners to expand their knowledge in lighting.
• 🌟 Lighting designers start their work from the concept phase, blending technical and artistic aspects to create emotional responses.
• 🛠️ The rewarding part of the job includes hands-on mock-ups, where the introduction of light has a 'magical effect' on the space.
• 🎨 Lighting interventions can subtly change architecture, reacting to materials and circulation, and influencing the perception of space at night.
• 📊 Lighting designers use specialized software for calculation and rendering to understand light behavior and select appropriate fixtures.
• 🤝 Communication is key; designers must convey their concepts to architects and clients through visual representations.
• 🌈 Good lighting is recognized for its ability to create contrast and emotions, enhancing the experience of navigating and discovering spaces.
• 🏗️ The speaker is part of a small, collaborative team at Foster + Partners, where they explore innovative and sustainable lighting design.
• 🚀 The profession of lighting design is young and offers opportunities to push boundaries and create unique, impactful experiences.

Q & A

What is the speaker's educational background and initial profession?

The speaker has a background in architecture and initially worked as an architect.

Why did the speaker transition from architecture to lighting?

The speaker realized the importance of lighting in enhancing space and its integral role alongside architecture.

How did the speaker's perception of lighting change after moving from Italy to London?

The speaker found it strange to adjust to the darker levels of city lighting in London compared to the brighter lights in Italy.

What was the speaker's previous job before joining Foster + Partners?

The speaker worked in a lighting consultancy studio, focusing on exclusive lighting projects.

Why did the speaker decide to work at Foster + Partners?

The speaker saw it as an opportunity to broaden their knowledge in lighting and understand the process of turning an idea into a building with all disciplines involved.

At what stage of a project do lighting designers typically start their work?

Lighting designers start their work from the concept phase at the very beginning of a project.

What does the speaker find rewarding about the hands-on aspect of lighting design?

The speaker finds the moment when luminaires are turned on and the space is illuminated to be magical, blending the technical and artistic sides of lighting design.

How do lighting designers use software to aid in their work?

They use software dedicated to lighting calculation and rendering to understand light distribution, behavior, and to determine the correct fittings needed to achieve their vision.

What is the goal when lighting designers communicate their concepts to architects and clients?

The goal is to make the lighting design visual and understandable, ensuring that architects and clients can envision and approve the lighting concept.

How does good lighting contribute to the emotional experience of a space?

Good lighting creates contrast and emotions, evoking feelings and aiding in navigation and discovery within the space, thus enhancing the atmosphere and environment.

What is the collaborative process like among architects and lighting designers at Foster + Partners?

Architects are divided into small groups focusing on different key areas, with two or three lighting designers working closely to innovate and create unique, sustainable, and emotionally impactful designs.

What does the speaker find magical about the moment when lighting design comes to life?

The speaker finds the moment when the prepared lighting design is realized in reality to be magical, as it contributes to the emotive experience and creates memorable experiences for users.