This episode explores the hidden costs of artificial light at night on nocturnal animals. Drawing on recent studies, we examine how urban illumination disrupts the survival and development of insects, alters the feeding and movement patterns of bats, and reshapes the behavior of rodents. From light intensity to spectral composition, we unpack the science behind these disruptions and discuss why protecting darkness is becoming essential for biodiversity in our cities.

Architectural and lighting design are global professions, yet the way people perceive and prefer light—especially the color of white—varies widely across cultures and environments. This episode explores the subtle but profound influences that geography, history, and cultural context have on how we experience color and illumination. From studies on cross-national color preferences in products, to research on home office lighting satisfaction across different countries, we uncover why “good lighting” is never one-size-fits-all. We also touch on the evolution of human skin tone as an example of how environmental and cultural adaptation shape our perception of light. Together, these insights remind us that designing with light requires more than technical precision—it demands cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diverse ways humans live with and interpret light.

This episode unpacks one of the most persistent misconceptions in lighting design: the belief that a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI) automatically means better light. We explore how CRI is a measure of fidelity—how closely colors appear compared to a reference—but not necessarily of human preference or beauty. From the warm glow of candlelight, which has a low CRI yet is universally admired, to modern studies showing that people often favor light that enhances saturation even at the expense of fidelity, we question the supremacy of CRI. The discussion also introduces TM-30, a more nuanced set of metrics, and considers how designers can balance fidelity and preference to create lighting that is not only accurate, but also emotionally compelling.

Once hailed as the ultimate sustainable solution, LEDs are now revealing an inconvenient truth: they are fueling a mounting e-waste crisis. Unlike traditional lamps that could be replaced, most LEDs require disposing of the entire luminaire—creating unprecedented waste streams filled with hazardous materials and lost resources. This episode explores the global e-waste challenge, from staggering statistics and hidden environmental costs to international legislation and recycling innovations. We ask: can lighting’s future truly be sustainable without a circular approach?

This episode explores the growing challenges posed by aging LED lighting systems as warranties expire and failures become widespread. The discussion examines how the lack of standardization and replaceable components makes maintenance increasingly difficult, particularly as fluorescent lighting disappears from the market. Listeners will hear about the hidden costs, extensive waste, and performance issues such as flicker in tubular LED lamps that contradict marketing claims. The conversation also calls for greater social responsibility from manufacturers, alongside stronger demand from specifiers and end-users for solutions that are maintainable, repairable, and truly sustainable.

In the 1920s, leading lightbulb manufacturers across Europe and America secretly agreed to limit the lifespan of bulbs to just 1,000 hours. This global conspiracy—known as the Phoebus Cartel—was one of the earliest and most infamous examples of planned obsolescence. In this episode, we uncover how a product that could have lasted for decades was deliberately engineered to fail, reshaping consumer culture and paving the way for the throwaway economy we live in today. From economic incentives to environmental consequences, the story of the Phoebus Cartel reveals how the pursuit of profit can dim the promise of innovation.

In our new series, we turn from the pioneers of the past to the challenges of the present. This first episode explores overillumination—the excess of artificial light in our cities and homes. Once a symbol of progress and safety, brightness has become so abundant that it reshapes our nights, our health, and our relationship to darkness itself.

We trace the history of how society came to equate light with security and success, then look at the scientific evidence showing how “too much light at the wrong time” disrupts our sleep, hormones, and even long-term health. From the glow of urban skylines to the LEDs glowing on our bedside tables, we ask: How bright is too bright?

This episode invites listeners to rethink illumination—not as a race for more lumens, but as a balance between light and shadow, visibility and rest, day and night.

In this finale of Pioneers in Light, we trace how theatrical roots grew into a global profession. From McCandless and Rosenthal to Kelly, Price, Feder, Lam, Brandston, and Claude Engle, these pioneers gave light its method, poetry, architectural language, tools, independence, human-centered vision, professional voice, and worldwide reach. Together, they shaped the foundation of architectural lighting design as we know it today.

In this episode of Pioneers in Light, we spotlight Jean Rosenthal (1912–1969), a trailblazer who transformed stage lighting into an art form. Known for her collaborations with modern dance pioneers like Martha Graham and theatre innovators such as Orson Welles, Rosenthal elevated lighting from a technical necessity to a poetic element of performance.

Her approach was less about creating spectacle and more about sculpting space with light—supporting movement, narrative, and atmosphere with subtlety and precision. By introducing new techniques and vocabulary, Rosenthal helped define the role of the lighting designer as an artist, not just a technician.

Her legacy continues to inspire both theatre and architectural lighting designers today, reminding us that light, at its best, is choreography for the eye.

In this episode of Pioneers in Light, we turn to William M.C. Lam (1924–2012), a visionary who placed human perception at the center of architectural lighting design. Lam argued that lighting should go beyond meeting technical illumination levels—it should shape mood, behavior, and experience.

Through his writings, such as Perception and Lighting as Formgivers for Architecture, and his groundbreaking projects, Lam championed a qualitative, human-centered approach to light. His work bridged the science of vision with the art of architecture, offering a framework that continues to influence designers today.

By reframing light as an experiential form-giver, Lam expanded the profession’s role: from simply providing visibility to designing environments that respond to how people actually live, work, and feel within space.

In this episode of Pioneers in Light, we explore the legacy of Abe Feder (1909–1997), often called the Dean of American Lighting Design. Feder was among the first to carry the title “lighting designer,” establishing an independent practice that bridged theatre, architecture, and urban spaces.

From shaping Broadway productions to illuminating cityscapes, Feder’s influence helped define lighting as a profession in its own right. He championed an approach-centered philosophy—emphasizing design intent and human experience over mere product development. Alongside the rise of companies like Lightolier, his career illustrates how the discipline evolved in step with technological advances and shifting cultural needs.

Feder’s pioneering vision laid the groundwork for lighting design as we know it today, opening the path for future generations to practice with both artistry and independence.

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Edison Price, one of the most influential figures in modern architectural lighting. A self-taught engineer and designer, Price began in theatrical lighting before founding Edison Price Inc. in 1952. His philosophy of making light “disappear” to let architecture take center stage redefined the practice, with innovations such as glareless deep-recessed downlights, the first track lighting systems, and his poetic “curtains of light.”

Working alongside masters like Louis Kahn and Mies van der Rohe, Price elevated mid-century modernism by showing how light could shape human experience while remaining understated and refined. His legacy—honored with the Richard Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award—continues to influence architects and lighting designers today, reminding us that the most powerful light is often the one we don’t see.

This podcast explores architectural lighting design through stories, insights, and ideas spanning history, global trends, technology, sustainability, and professional practice. Using AI tools, research is distilled into clear, engaging episodes—easy to follow whether commuting, sketching, or preparing for a project. For students, it opens the door to how light shapes space and life; for lighting designers, it offers reflection, shared knowledge, and inspiration to push design forward.

Welcome to the first episode of our podcast on architectural lighting design. We begin with Richard Kelly (1910–1977), often called the father of modern architectural lighting. Kelly changed the way we understand light—not just for seeing, but for shaping space and human experience.

We’ll trace his collaborations with architects like Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen, and Philip Johnson, and explore his famous “three elements of light”: Focal Glow, Ambient Luminescence, and Play of Brilliants. These ideas remain central to lighting practice today and helped define lighting design as its own profession.

Join us as we look at Kelly’s life, projects, and enduring legacy in this opening episode.