LytePod

From the Archives: Touchless buildings, automated climate control, and lights that make you feel good are all great ideas, but how do we build a space that can successfully implement and integrate all of that technology? Join Jay Wratten, Practice Leader of Innovation Advisory Services at WSP, as he takes us on a digital journey through the built environment and walks us through the system infrast...

From the Archives : A hero of the industry, Howard Brandston shares his advice after 60+ years of pioneering the lighting design profession. Learn the lifelong "mind over matter" mentality that guides his approach to everything and how he went on a 30-day safari in Africa to test his skills as a world-class hunter. This episode was originally released on January 29, 2020.

From the Archives : As lighting technology and the design process evolve, Chip Israel, Founder + CEO of Lighting Design Alliance, argues that designing within a lighting budget gets more difficult every time. He points out that the distribution system for architectural lighting has not changed in over 40 years, but it's time it did. While it's inevitable that change is on the horizon, what will it...

Leveraging collective expertise is the best way to design — at least, that's the premise behind the newest version of the WELL standard. Join Rachel Fitzgerald, Alison Fiedler, and Jessica Smith of Stantec as they talk us through the lighting features in WELL v2, and discuss the ways holistic design thinking sets up a framework beyond problem-solving and defines a vocabulary that ensures an integr...

Much has been said about HLB and its principals, but what may surprise people is that there is more to the operation and collaborative culture of the firm than outsiders might assume. In this final installment of Stephen Lees’ three-part story, he walks us through four decades of milestone moments in his career and HLB’s trajectory and touches on the culture and the legacy-driven model that define...

In part two of the Stephen Lees Story, we hear how embracing change and thinking big picture helped build the business legacy of HLB. Stephen shares his insights on combating "corporate amnesia," the key to successful mentorships, and why he feels building bigger, more inclusive boxes will accelerate the growth and advancement of the lighting industry.

Ever wonder how a living lighting legend like Stephen Lees got his start, how he frames design challenges (not to mention career challenges), or what keeps him motivated? In part one of this three-part series showcasing his life and career, Stephen tells the story of his beginnings in the architectural lighting industry. Drawing inspiration from his experience and education in theater, learn some...

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion — four powerful words that point us toward a better future as a society, and the guiding principles behind SmithGroup's groundbreaking J.E.D.I. Committee. The J.E.D.I. team focuses on representing the communities the firm serves: the wide and varied mix of races, genders, backgrounds, and voices that don't always have a seat at AEC industry table. Oscar Co...

While it may not be fully back to business as usual, one treasured lighting event made a comeback in 2021 [albeit on a smaller scale] — we’re talking about the world-famous Lights in Alingsås festival and workshop! Recorded live on the Lightfair show floor, hear from Jessica Krometis, Senior Designer at Hartranft Lighting Design and member of the Lightfair Content Advisory Committee, as she recoun...

The spectral flexibility of LEDs has opened up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to color rendition, and the IES's TM-30 — specifically Annex E — is the new standard to guide you through it. Jason Livingston, Principal at Studio T+L, and Tony Esposito, Founder & Head Researcher at Lighting Research Solutions, take us through the basics of the new measures introduced in Annex E,...

Diversity shapes, colors, and enhances our world. Although acceptance and awareness have increased, we can still do better when it comes to create equitable opportunities and leverage the power of diversity in design. Alana Shepherd, Martin van Koolbergen, and Amy Karn unpack their thoughts about the queer experience in today's lighting community, and light the path towards meaningful changes with...

2021 has been a year like no other. Considering all of the challenges of the pandemic and the resulting shift in social and economic conditions that have come with it, the "new normal" has also created unique opportunities - opportunities to rethink the way we work and do business in today's lighting world. Charles G. Stone, President of Fisher Marantz Stone, gives us his observations on the chang...

As the buzz around sustainability continues to grow, a clear signal is emerging: designers and their clients want more transparency in the products and materials they specify. Our cross-sectional industry panel — Melissa Mattes, Karen Jess-Lindsley, Jonathan Penndorf, Reiko Kagawa, and Jane White — breakdown designer and manufacturer mindsets on one of lighting's most impactful topics, and discuss...

Creating a safe and inclusive space to share and connect—for women and allies alike—is what Women in Lighting + Design (WILD) is all about. Alriah, Alyssa, Sarah, and Michelle, four of many vibrant voices for women in the lighting industry, tell us what it's like to start new chapters of life and take on new frontiers for WILD in the Lone Star State.

In a sea of competitors, what do manufacturers prioritize to set themselves apart? Paul Pickard, CTO at Ecosense, draws from decades of experience in lighting manufacturing to dive into the DNA of product inception, R&D and production, and shares what's on the horizon for lighting technology.

What do rock ‘n roll and lighting design have in common? Turns out, more than you might think! Granville McAnear, President, Owner and Design Director of GMLD shares his story of how curiosity, exploration and being open to life’s lessons took him from rock star dreams to an all-star career in lighting design, and everything in between.

Now more than ever, the role of the lighting rep is pivotal. Agents who make time to get to know their clients and understand the key drivers of their designs have the opportunity to lead. Caitlin Mulligan, Manager of Business Development & Key Accounts, and Ryan Weiss, Director of Specification Sales at SCI Lighting Solutions, discuss how listening, building relationships, and delivering time...

The final step in deploying light comes down to how a luminaire interacts with a space. Paul Pickard, CTO of Ecosense talks about the nature of quality light versus affordability, configurability, and what the industry must be aware of as technology continues to drive a more competitive marketplace. Learn more and take a journey down the path of who's responsible for quality lighting solutions.&nb...

Light is a basic human right, yet so many do not have it when the sun goes down. As an industry and a community that advocates for the use of electric light, we must realize that there is something more we can do to give back to those who are less fortunate. Tina Aghassian, Principal at HLB, shares her story and will inspire you to think about how you can help others who aren't your clients but ne...

It's not often you find two separate professions and career paths with so many similarities. Did you know light has a magical way of doing things other mediums cannot? Jess Baker, Design Studio Leader at Schuler Shook, has had the opportunity to work as a lighting designer in the theater and in an architectural environment where everything can be developed from a similar set of practices but yield...

The opportunity to create a personal experience continues to take form as the lighting industry explodes. Lance Bennett, Vice President of National Accounts and Specification Sales at Cooper Lighting Solutions, talks about the evolution of the industry and the transformation it will continue to go through as growth, new opportunity and unpredictable challenges lie ahead. 

The most brilliant and creative solutions often arise from a group of minds. Today, the minds of design are more diverse than they ever have been. Paula Martinez Nobles, Principal at Fisher Marantz Stone, talks about her experience as a Colombian Woman in the AEC industry. The status quo is shifting, racial and gender inequality is being recognized and real change is happening. One of the most imp...

Leadership, mentorship, design, and innovation all require one thing - a chance to pay it forward. As buildings become more complex, design ideas take more time and require a more robust, diverse, and educated team of professionals. Giulio Pedota, Partner at Schuler Shook, talks about how the next generation of design is here as it relates to both the quality of the product and the Millenials + Ge...

Everyone wants a faster and better way to do their job. Technology is a double-edged sword, access to information is critical and people want to be more efficient. Lars Christiansen Co-Founder and CEO of LightAZ talks about what the lighting industry's future might look like and how the design community is driving a need for change whether they know it or not.

COVID-19 was the source of a Global Pandemic in 2020. It shuttered "normal" life, claimed over 4 million lives, and forced many into some form of an uncomfortable situation. The lighting industry was impacted at every level across every trade yet it will survive. Jimalee Beno, President of Focal Point and OCL, Chair of the IALD Education Trust, recaps 16 months that we might never want to remember...