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.