LytePod by Lytei
Sam Koerbel from Lytei brings you the honest truth -- conversations you want to hear about architectural lighting! Learn and be inspired. Featuring the creative minds of the industry: from designers to manufacturers, innovators, and professors - learn about their habits, ideas, accomplishments, and more.
EPISODE LIST
Feb 1, 2024
Do you ever wish your client, the owner would just get it? Design has many different languages that might not always be easy to communicate across the table - but there are tools to do that. Cecilia Ramos, Senior Director of Architectural Markets for Lutr…
Jan 25, 2024
When you understand what you want to do, and get to play with what you love - it's hard to consider it a job. David Warfel has built a design team of nearly a dozen professionals in a space that has largely never considered the value of design fees wh…
Jun 1, 2023
The lighting industry has gone through a few evolutions, and the pathway from design to final delivery is undeniably one of them. Gone are the "transactional" days of interchangeable parts + pieces like lamps and ballasts -- for better or worse,…
May 4, 2023
Born of the Black Lives Matter movement, Equity in Lighting's overarching mission is to equip the lighting industry with the ability to design for everyone — not just the white, neurotypical person that today's technology and practices have come t…
Apr 20, 2023
What if the lighting system in any given space could be your teammate? What if it could help cue you, guide you, inform you, and help you achieve your goals? That's one way Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Senior Lighting Researcher Andrea Wilker…
Mar 30, 2023
Consistency. Balance. Efficiency. Three virtues most businesses strive for, but achieving them is a different story. Oculus Light Studio's business approach may be the exception, conceived of the idea that life and life in lighting can blend and coexi…
Mar 16, 2023
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a lighting designer to the stars or design homes for celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and LeBron James? That's exactly the claim to fame for Malibu-based CEO of ADG Lighting Gerald Olesker. An architectural …
Mar 2, 2023
Here at Lytei, we are of the opinion that architects never truly die. As long as their buildings live on, they live on. Today, we say the same about prolific architectural lighting designer Howard Brandston and his body of work that deserves recognition a…
Feb 16, 2023
There's a new sales channel in town...and it's got exciting possibilities for the lighting design community. Trent Mulligan and David Thomas, the President and the Executive Director of Momentum Group and Rio Grande Reps, explain to us how great lighting …
Feb 2, 2023
Walking the walk isn't easy, but when it comes to rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty, lighting design firm Clanton & Associates and their President, Dane Sanders, make it look natural. Dane isn’t just a theorist, he and his colleag…
Jan 19, 2023
What a year 2022 was for lighting. From new technology to exciting trends and research, the LytePOD featured a lot of great new episodes (27 to be exact). Sam recaps the top five most listened-to episodes of the year. If your taste is anything like the re…
Dec 8, 2022
In the last edition of our Enlighten Americas 2022 chronicles, Co-CEO and President of Lighting Design Alliance, Kelly Jones, shares why she says "everything is a phase" and shares some of the wisdom she's gathered in the different phases of her life so f…
Nov 17, 2022
It's always inspiring to see someone speak with authority and passion – two traits Catherine Leskowat, Senior Lighting Designer at Hartranft Lighting Design, has in spades! As anyone who's been to Enlighten Americas or Lightfair recently knows, Catherine …
Nov 3, 2022
With so many bright stars in the constellation of the lighting industry, it takes a little something extra to stand out. Ben Cantu, regional sales manager at LumenWerx, definitely has the secret sauce when it comes to owning his personal brand. Never with…
Oct 20, 2022
Lighting that's felt but not seen: many lighting designers say that's the holy grail. The notion isn't new, but that doesn't make the lofty challenge any simpler. Brazilian-born Claudio Ramos, acclaimed director of Electrolight in San Francisco, phrases t…
Oct 6, 2022
How do you build a company with sustainability at its roots? You start from the ground up and let every possible decision be guided by a foundation of principles that keep the holistic, big-picture view in mind. That's exactly what Karen Jess-Lindsley, CE…
Sep 22, 2022
"Filling the pipeline" is an ever-present hot topic in the lighting community. No matter where you get your lighting news, you're likely to see a focus on the challenge of engaging and retaining the next generation of lighting lovers — with an emphasis on…
Sep 8, 2022
Design is a dance - and in this week's episode, Addie Smith, Senior Lighting Designer at AE Design, explains why. Whether it be leading or following, the give and take of expertise and creativity in the dynamic process of design mimics the exchange of ene…
Aug 25, 2022
Change is something you can count on in life, and that's true in the business of lighting, too. Loren Kessel, the newly-minted CEO of Delta Light Group North America, knows how to ride the waves of change better than most. His 37-year lighting career hing…
Aug 11, 2022
Product specification has always been a complex process — one that is dependent on strong relationships. Renee Borg, Principal of San Fransisco-based agency, Sixteen5Hundred, dives into the importance of the specification process and how it should be…
Jul 28, 2022
Not every career path is linear — sometimes they take a twist or two (or more)! Leigh Gice, Senior Market Segment Manager at Lumenpulse, is a prime example. From a childhood moment of theatrical inspiration, through television production, lighting design,…
Jul 14, 2022
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an athlete competing at the international level against Olympic champions? Now imagine living that dream — while ALSO climbing the career ladder as a rising star in the field of lighting design. That sums…
Jun 30, 2022
What do lighting design and structural engineering have in common? Turns out, a whole lot more than one might initially think. John Roach, Associate Vice President, Structural Engineer, and Office Engineering Leader at CannonDesign, talks to us about the …
Jun 9, 2022
"Solving complex problems by providing multiple solutions at the same time," that's Jon Penndorf's definition of truly sustainable design. Jon is Perkins&Will's Sustainability Leader and believes that great design outcomes are more than the sum of the…
May 26, 2022
Sustainability in lighting manufacturing is one of the community’s hottest topics. Following in the footsteps of the carpet, furniture, and building materials industries, owners and specifiers alike are asking for lighting products to be created with more…
May 12, 2022
The emergence of virtual reality (VR) technology for architecture and design has been making headlines in the past few years — in the future, they've said, VR will become an integral part not just of a client presentation but also of the design process. W…
May 5, 2022
You can't miss the buzz in the lighting industry around material transparency, and in part that's thanks to people like Melissa Mattes, senior lighting designer and sustainability specialist at Sladen Feinstein Integrated Lighting. Melissa shares the "why…
Apr 28, 2022
Moving the needle on climate change isn't something the lighting industry can do alone — but we can start by looking at what the AEC sector has put in place and build on that progress. DPR Construction's global sustainability leader, Ryan Poole, talks us …
Apr 21, 2022
There's something seriously wrong with the way we specify and procure lighting today — ask any lighting designer, and you'll hear a horror story or two about packaging, substitutions, and pricing games that clearly show the system is broken. Enter Paul Bo…
Apr 14, 2022
In part two of Sam's conversation with the Boston Lighting crew: Dan Weissman, Senior Associate and Director at Lam Partners, Kate St. Laurent, Associate Vice President at CannonDesign, and Sara Schonour, VP of Education and Engagement here at Lytei, the …
Apr 7, 2022
When it comes to lighting design today, Sam sat down with Dan Weissman, Senior Associate and Director at Lam Partners, Kate St. Laurent, Associate Vice President at CannonDesign, and Sara Shonour, VP of Education and Engagement here at Lytei, to explore e…
Mar 31, 2022
Want to know what's at the cutting edge of lighting tech? VR, AR, data leveraging, and new frontiers of visualization and production aren't just "somewhere on the horizon" anymore — they're already transforming everyday life. Listen to Chris Slaughter, Se…
Mar 3, 2022
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 …
Feb 24, 2022
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 …
Feb 17, 2022
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 …
Feb 10, 2022
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 …
Feb 3, 2022
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 u…
Jan 27, 2022
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 buildin…
Jan 20, 2022
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 …
Jan 13, 2022
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 …
Jan 7, 2022
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 floo…
Dec 16, 2021
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 To…
Dec 9, 2021
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…
Dec 2, 2021
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 w…
Nov 18, 2021
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, Jonat…
Nov 11, 2021
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 i…
Nov 4, 2021
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…
Oct 21, 2021
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 ro…
Oct 15, 2021
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 Accoun…
Oct 1, 2021
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 conti…
Sep 9, 2021
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 fortuna…
Sep 2, 2021
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…
Aug 12, 2021
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 an…
Jul 29, 2021
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…
Jul 15, 2021
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…
Jul 8, 2021
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 fu…
Jul 1, 2021
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 …
Jun 10, 2021
A transactional-oriented business requires volume, consistent opportunity, and risk. Jack English, Principal of Illumination Systems, talks about what he's learned over 40+ years in the business when it comes to defining value and capturing opportunity as…
May 20, 2021
The first of its kind, Global, inclusive, and portfolio-based the CLD is a new way to recognize talent, dedication, and passion for the practice of architectural lighting design. Rosemarie Allaire, Vice-Chair of the CLD, talks about why this was formed an…
Apr 29, 2021
The core of innovation is solving a problem you care about. Innovation often leads to brilliant ideas, better solutions, and an opportunity to implement technology that can truly make an impact. Gary Trott, VP of Commercialization and Technology at Acuity…
Apr 23, 2021
Lighting is powerful, it makes an impact - if you're a professional in the industry you know that too! Sara Schonour, VP + Director of Lighting Design at Cannon Design, Talks about how light shows up in so many places in life and how we need to use that t…
Apr 16, 2021
Millionaires, Billionaires and how they live - it's a wild ride and an even crazier place to work. Go behind the curtain with Anne Kustner - President of AKLD Lighting Desing, Gregg Mackell - Principal at 186 Group, and Lana Nathe Principal and Light Insi…
Apr 8, 2021
Millionaires, Billionaires and how they live - it's a wild ride and an even crazier place to work. Go behind the curtain with Anne Kustner - President of AKLD Lighting Desing, Gregg Mackell - Principal at 186 Group, and Lana Nathe Principal and Light Insi…
Mar 25, 2021
There is a constant push and pull with priorities in life. Are you working full time to explore your passion and raising kids? Whether you're a mom or dad the pressure to always perform has become increasingly difficult to show up for, be present, and not…
Mar 11, 2021
The landscape of how people are engaging and selling took a 180 in the last 12 months but one thing hasn't changed - we still have two ears and one mouth that should be used proportionally. Steve Nicola, VP of Sales at Nuilte, talks about what his t…
Mar 4, 2021
Before LED was a thing before anyone was paying attention to it Ann Reo had an idea that became iO Lighting and opened the opportunity for new form factors and innovation. Learn more about what it took to be a pioneer with new technology and how following…
Feb 18, 2021
Be inspired to make sure what you're doing will spark joy in your life. Every career can and should be driven with opportunity and passion. Josie Wratten is an Entrepreneur with two decades of lighting design experience and continues to make sure th…
Feb 4, 2021
The constant movement and change throughout lighting might relate to things other industries, and sports more than you might think. Sean O' Connor talks through his childhood passion for surfing and how he still carries this part of life with him through …
Jan 28, 2021
Here are 23 minutes that will inspire you to take a break. Pritchard Peck Lighting was founded by two moms with kids at home and on the way. With a mission to own a business and be an award-winning design group, their family first mentality has built a cu…
Jan 21, 2021
Presidential Debates have a lot of conversation around them, this one skips politics and talk about the lighting on them. Jim Tetlow, President of Nautilis Entertainment Design (N.E.D.) walks through what it is like to light film & television sets and…
Jan 14, 2021
There are three things that have to work in harmony to run a design firm, Patrick Quigley Lighting Design Principal at Desing Workshop will tell you about all of them too! After running a lighting design firm for nearly 35 years and successfully mentoring…
Dec 17, 2020
Did you know every HLB office started thanks to love in the air? Listen to this final conversation with Barbara as she talks about how HLB lighting Desing has grown to what it is today. It was always important to put the employees first and build a cultur…
Dec 10, 2020
Have you ever realized how transformative light can be? Barbara Horton, CO-CEO of HLB Lighting design shares her thoughts about light as a medium and what it's like to be a professional lighting designer. You might be surprised and excited to learn more a…
Dec 3, 2020
Barbara Horton, CO-CEO at HLB Lighting Design, got started as an accidental tourist in the lighting industry, then spent the next 40 years collaborating and working with a team of Principals to grow HLB to what it is today. She has been dedicated to creat…
Nov 26, 2020
Daylight is the optimal light source. It's available in abundance, dynamic, and has the power to transform a space. Rob Guglielmetti, Senior Lighting Specialist at View breaks down the power behind Daylight and why and how it should be a part of every des…
Nov 19, 2020
The knowledge of the lighting industry must be learned, retained, and passed on. Take some time to reflect on those who have helped you along the way and how you've found yourself giving back. Thomas Paterson, Director of Lux Populi will take you on a jou…
Nov 4, 2020
The LED revolution changed the way light was delivered to a space. Take a peek behind the curtain with the CEO of Selux Corporation, Peter Stanway to get an inside perspective as to what a manufacturer must to do remain relevant in 2020. What was once an …
Oct 29, 2020
Women in lighting design (W.I.L.D.) started as a get-together in NYC back in the 90's - today it has grown to a prominent organization that strives to create a space where Women and Men can come together in the AEC industry. Kelly Roberts, Studio Director…
Oct 22, 2020
Starting a business in any discipline of design often requires sleepless nights, heavily discounted services, and a tremendous amount of passion and persistence. Steven Rosen, President and Creative Director of Available light walks through how his wife w…
Oct 14, 2020
Lighting design doesn't always require expensive solutions, rather something that is well-curated to help create an exquisite environment. Dan Weissman, Senior Associate & Director of Lam Labs at Lam Partners will take you on a journey of discovery le…
Oct 8, 2020
Just like a fun outfit on date night - Lighting can dress up any space and make it special and memorable. Jennifer Sanborn senior associate at Lam Partners talks about how light can create empathy and emotion with a tip of the hat to a fundamental design …
Oct 1, 2020
How does lighting make it from point A to point B? The channels of distribution! Ira Rothman, Vp of sales at APEX Lighting solutions talks about the Academy of Sciences that the Greeks created and how lighting distribution has a few similarities.
Sep 16, 2020
Taking a fresh approach to design often leads to innovative results. David Ghatan, President of CM Kling & Associates, Past President IALD, talks about what the focus should be when it comes to manufacturing luminaires moving forward. Enjoy his insigh…
Sep 10, 2020
Cutting corners and VE can often actually cost more money. There is great value in a one name spec that's coordinated and transparent. Matt Seconi, Founder and Principal of Moxie Lighting talks about why the best option might not be the cheapest one. …
Sep 3, 2020
Lighting Agents are like gas stations, they are a necessary part of the supply chain to gain access to information. Matt Seconi, Founder and Principal of MOXIE New York City talks about how they are a brand-centric lighting agency that will grow in new an…
Aug 20, 2020
Brighter Day's and Darker nights. CO-FOUNDER and VP of Research at BIOS, Robert Soler talks about what it takes to make a lighting system that can stimulate the circadian system in humans. He also explains the metrics that are in place to measure th…
Aug 12, 2020
A buzz word turned scientific, circadian lighting has an effect on our livelihood. Join Robert Soler, Co-founder and CP of research at BIOS as we dive into what it means to have brighter days and darker nights. Electric light has so many benefits to the b…
Aug 5, 2020
Learn more about a lighting design firm that 'doesn't have a single office and never has. Andrea Hartranft, Founding Principal of Hartranft Lighting Design talks about how she built her business around fearlessness and humility. Along the way, she hired p…
Jul 28, 2020
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 all of this? Join Jay Wratten VP at WSP fro SMART building strategy on a data journey throu…
Jul 2, 2020
Let's talk about Virtual Reality and 6 degrees of freedom. You've seen it in arcades and the gaming industry for decades, but now it's headed for the world of architecture and design. Josh Miller, Illumination Engineer at Acuity Brands dives into VR, the …
Jun 18, 2020
The future is now and virtual reality has made some considerable progress to allow the architectural design community to consider it as a design tool. Listen to Josh Miller, Illumination Engineer at Acuity Brands Luminaire Concept Center Discuss how VR ca…
Jun 3, 2020
Specifying a dynamic system isn't easy. Lighting design often takes into account what it is you wish to see along with the neurological and physiological impacts of human beings. Enjoy this conversation about how lighting can totally be sexy with Lisa Bar…
May 27, 2020
Luminous surfaces and a point source of light don't seem like they would end up doing the same thing, but this conversation with Brad Koerner, VP of Product Development & Innovation at CIMA offers up the suggestion that they can not only co-exist but …
May 14, 2020
Join Chris Slaughter, a former lighting designer, luminaire innovator, and now rep in a conversation about holistic lighting. It begins with the concept of design both in luminaries and the built environment but requires more than ever as the chaos builds…
May 7, 2020
With 37 years of professional design experience, Charles Stone, President of Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS), discusses why you can never stop learning. Beyond the fact that learning is fun, the ability to perform but be pat…
Apr 16, 2020
Kevin Frary, Associate Principle at Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS) shares a story about his 20 years in design and talks about the state of the profession in 2020. While many things have changed as it relates to technology, deadlines and real-time collaborati…
Apr 9, 2020
As technology and the design process has evolved, Chip discusses how difficult it has become to design within a lighting budget. He points out that the distribution system for architectural lighting has not changed in over 40 years but it needs to. While …
Mar 26, 2020
Overnight success only took 28 years! Chip Isreal, CEO + Founder of the Lighting Design Alliance has spent nearly three decades building an independent lighting design firm. With a project portfolio that has LDA's work around the world, Chip talks about w…
Mar 13, 2020
Gary talks about what a 3D printer has the capabilities to do and why it has become a viable solution for luminaire design and manufacturing. In what might seem like unchartered territory he brings up several examples of how 3D printing is changing other …
Mar 6, 2020
Gary Trott, the founder of Interplay lighting, has 30 years of experience as an innovator in architectural lighting. He has led multiple new ideas from concept through product development and has a passion that rivals most when it comes to cre…
Feb 28, 2020
Rachel talks about the reality of where we are at with circiadian lighting systems, what we know and what's still to be determined. With a technical background in lighting and 15 years of experience, she points out that while things like equivalent …
Feb 5, 2020
Howard talks about how giving back, volunteering and standing up for what you believe in. Listen and learn about why unpaid opportunities are really what matters in life. Listen till the end to hear about his wife, Melanie, too.
Jan 29, 2020
Howard shares his advice after 60 years as a professional lighting designer. Learn about how he approached life, and how he went on a 30-day safari in Africa to test his skills as a world-class hunter.
Nov 23, 2019
Gregg shares a special story on how he ended up involved on a project that was once in a lifetime, reminding us all you never know where the next opportunity will come from.
Nov 23, 2019
Addie talks Lighting Design, how the first three years were the hardest so far, her habits, how to unify a design team and hold your spec. Plus, a quick conversation on transparent pricing - why it doesn't exist, but why it should.
Nov 23, 2019
CJ talks about what it means to be your own boss, and how nearly 2 decades of experience was a critical part of her success when she created her own design firm, Spark Lab. Recorded on Location at the IALD conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.