Maria Dautant, Sen. Assoc. at HLB Lighting Design, Dubai | Light Conversations with VLDC at LIBME 2024 Dubai

Cofounder of the Virtual Lighting Design Community (VLDC), Ingmar Klaasen, engages in conversation with Linus Lopez, Partner at Lirio Lopez Lighting Design Consultants, during Light and Intelligent Building 2024 in Dubai.

In this interview, Linus Lopez shares his journey into lighting design, transitioning from an engineering background, and delves into the intrinsic fascination with lighting that led him to establish his firm in India. Linus reflects on his experiences as a judge at the event, emphasising the depth of analysis and appreciation for sustainable design solutions among the projects reviewed.

Linus also discusses the evolving landscape of the lighting industry, highlighting the importance of understanding and utilising darkness in design, a topic he explores further in his presentation at the fair. His dedication to promoting the profession of lighting design in India and his commitment to education and research in the field underscore his passion for fostering awareness and excellence in lighting design.

Join us as Linus Lopez shares his perspectives on responsible design practices, the significance of observation in design sensitivity, and his unwavering motivation to inspire the next generation of lighting professionals. Discover how his vision for thoughtful, impactful design shapes his approach to the industry and drives his mission to elevate the discourse around lighting design.

Brief Bio on Linus Lopez:

Linus Lopez is a renowned lighting designer and Partner at Lirio Lopez Lighting Design Consultants, based in India. With a background in engineering, Linus discovered his calling in lighting design, embarking on a journey that has seen him lead innovative projects both locally and abroad. His commitment to promoting excellence in lighting design, advocating for responsible design practices, and nurturing the next generation of lighting professionals reflects his dedication to advancing the industry and shaping a brighter, more sustainable future through light. 

"When it comes to lighting design, it's critical to appreciate the significance of darkness at the appropriate times. Understanding human experiences and the impact of lighting changes is essential, even if it means seeking gradual progress over immediate results. A unified dialogue within the design community holds the key to promoting responsible practices and a greater sense of shared responsibility."  — Linus Lopez

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In this episode, we'll be diving into a conversation between Katia Kolovea, co-founder of the Virtual Lighting Design Community, and Tapio Rosenius, the CEO and founder of Poet Creator Software and the Lighting Design Collective (LDC). This interview, which took place earlier this year in January at Light & Intelligent Building Middle East 2024 in Dubai, sheds light on Tapio's innovative approach to ambient communication and its impact on lighting design.  A topic that has captured the attention and enthusiasm of many in the industry.  Join us as we explore Tapio's insights and his vision for adopting this approach in lighting design projects and discussed the untapped potential of using ambient communication in the built environment. 

“Interactive real-time lighting significantly influences human behaviour, resulting in tangible benefits." — Tapio Rosenius

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Acknowledging our Premium Supporters:

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In the next episode of the Virtual Lighting Design Community Podcast, we are excited to host Charles Stone, President at Fisher Marantz Stone, US, as our special guest.  With over four decades of experience and a seasoned member of the lighting design community, Charles shares his insights into the judging process of the recent event LIBME 2024 Dubai and the significance of in-person presentations. 

His practical experience brings to light the importance of putting people first in design, emphasising responsibility, sustainability, and the ever-evolving technology landscape. Charles also reflects on his involvement in the Virtual Lighting Design Community, highlighting the value of staying connected and learning from the best in the field. Don't miss this exclusive conversation shedding light on the changing landscape of lighting design and the timeless principles that guide industry experts like Charles Stone.

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Acknowledging our Premium Supporters:

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In this episode of the Virtual Lighting Design Community Podcast, we welcome special guest Maria Dautant, a senior associate at HLB Lighting Design, based in Dubai, UAE.  

Maria brings a wealth of global experience from her career journey in New York, Sydney, and Dubai, and she will share her insights on the importance of lighting design in the built environment. Maria is an award-winning architectural lighting designer with over 13 years of experience.   She is also a passionate mentor, actively engaging in educational initiatives and workshops to inspire and support aspiring lighting designers. During her conversation with Katia Kolovea, co-founder of the Virtual Lighting Design Community, Maria will delve into the holistic approach to lighting design, the her professional journey in the field, and the inspiration she draws from her daily work. 

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Acknowledging our Premium Supporters:

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Welcome back to the Virtual Lighting Design Community Podcast! In this episode, we had the pleasure of catching up with Joseph Brooks, Director of International Markets at K-Lite Industries, as we kicked off the Light Middle East event in Dubai earlier this year. Situated adjacent to the VLDC booth outside the ThinkLight Arena, it was an excellent opportunity to gain insights into K-Lite's innovative lighting solutions and the brand itself. Joseph shared his journey joining K-Lite, navigating cultural adaptation in India, and driving meaningful change. He emphasised the company's focus on fostering good relationships, openness, respect, and understanding, creating a culture reminiscent of a warm and welcoming mom and pop shop. Joseph's background includes extensive experience in international markets and a passion for driving positive, people-centric change within organisations. 

 “Achieving understanding, trust, and genuine care for people drives meaningful change and fosters a warm, nurturing environment.  I came because I love operations. But stayed because I really fell in love with the people.”
— Joseph Brooks

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In today's podcast episode we feature Manas Bhatia, an esteemed associate architect at Ant Studio in Noida, India. Manas shares his expertise on the fascinating topic of lighting design for the virtual future, AI, VR, Digital Twins, the Metaverse and Blockchain, under the title "Light Scapes: Virtual Illumination." In his talk, Manas explores the boundless possibilities of virtual reality, urging us to push the boundaries of creativity and visualisation beyond the constraints of the physical world.

Manas sheds light on the transformative shift from static reality to fluid and immersive experiences, emphasising the remarkable progress made within a mere year. He delves into the evolution of art and design, from abstract and random pieces to the advent of photorealistic renders in a matter of seconds, achieved through innovative tools such as Mid Journey, and Dali.

“Virtual Illumination is transforming the future with fluid and immersive experiences, where photorealistic renders are created within seconds, opening endless possibilities for visionary lighting design in the digital realm.”
— Manas Bhatia

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Acknowledging our Premium Supporters:

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Introducing Nadine Baalbaki, a Lebanese lighting designer with 18 years of experience in the industry. As the founder of 'Light the Detail', a meticulous lighting design practice based in Dubai, Nadine has dedicated her career to curating captivating lighting experiences for various projects. With a particular focus on residential and office spaces, she understands the profound impact of lighting on people's daily lives. Through her platform "Light the Detail," Nadine aims to share her inspiring journey and communicate the essence of lighting design.

Nadine kindly joined us at the VLDC booth in Dubai at Light Middle East 2024 recently, where she spoke with co-founder of the VLD Community, Katia Kolovea about her journey as a lighting  designer and her thoughts on the Light Middle East event.  Enjoy!

"Learning about lighting is a journey of self-education, inspired by nature, and finding balance.  Don’t over design, don’t over light.  Embrace the darkness and take shadow as your ally.” — Nadine Baalbaki

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Acknowledging our Premium Supporters:

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In this episode, meet Lauren Dandridge, a 17-year lighting industry veteran and principal of Chromatic, a firm dedicated to promoting lighting quality and equality. As an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California, she shares her expertise in Architectural Lighting Design, shaping successful careers for future lighting professionals. Lauren is also actively involved in various architecture and lighting organizations, enriching local design communities through her enlightening lectures and presentations.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Lauren Dandridge to the VLD Community booth at the recent Light & Intelligent Building Middle East in Dubai. As she graciously joined us, we had the opportunity to delve into her experiences at the event and her engaging presentation at the ThinkLight Arena. Lauren shared her unique perspective on this year's event and provided valuable insights during our conversation at the booth.  Enjoy this conversation as Lauren speaks with co-founder of the VLD Community Ingmar Klaasen. 


"We, as practitioners of light, bear the responsibility of shepherding its essence into every project equitably, acknowledging its profound impact on the spiritual entity of architecture and the built environment."  — Lauren Dandridge

 

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In today's episode, we are joined by Ghada Dwaik, architect and lighting designer based in Egypt with her own practice: "GDesigns".  Ghada also has a background in landscape and interior design as well as product design.  She is a true inspiration as ambassador for  Women in Lighting in Egypt.  

It was great having Ghada pop by our VLDC booth at Light and Intelligent Building in Dubai last week, where she spoke with co-founder of the VLD Community, Amardeep Dugar.  

For anyone wanting a visual experience, please do check out our YouTube channel, where you will find the video version of this episode as well as many other great interviews and presentations by our industry thought leaders.  

Our YouTube handle is @vld.community.  

And of course it wouldn’t be compete without mentioning our online platform where the magic happens.  Join us and your fellow lighting enthusiasts at members.vld.community where you can gain access to the complete array of presentations, interviews, stories, ongoing conversations, a host of resources and much more.  So please do check that out and explore the community.

Learn more about our community by visiting www.vld.community

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Acknowledging our Premium Supporters:

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In today's episode we feature Chief of Staff of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), Klysha Ross, whom we had the please of interviewing at the VLD Community booth at this years Light and Intelligent Building Middle East 2024  in Dubai.  Klysha talks with VLDC co-founder Katia Kolovea about herself and her amazing work at the IES.  It was a wonderful opportunity to hear her insights and perspectives.  

It is the first interview as part of our 'Light Conversations' series which took place at this year's Dubai event.  We extend a big thanks to everyone who stopped by at our booth, a great addition for VLDC, it created a tremendous buzz, a great vibe and lots of interest.  Also a shout out to all those who kindly participated in our interviews.  Klysha's is the first of many that were conducted at the event in Dubai, so stay tuned for those in upcoming episodes.  

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Acknowledging our Premium Supporters:

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• Filix Lighting