The Future Of A New Profession

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The Future Of A New Profession
The Future Of A New Profession

Video: The Future Of A New Profession

Video: The Future Of A New Profession
Video: 23 JOBS OF THE FUTURE (and jobs that have no future) 2024, March
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In the fall of 2016, the MARCH architecture school is launching a new course on lighting design. We talked with the course curator Natalia Markevich, a professional lighting designer educated in Russia and England, about the specifics of education and the profession of a lighting designer, about the division of responsibilities between architects and lighting designers, about the prospects for the development of lighting design in Russia and industry leaders abroad.

Archi.ru:

Tell us more about the launch of a new course at MARCH. What subjects will be studied and how? What is the technique? Are there any analogues of this course in Russia and in the world?

Natalia Markevich

- We are launching a new one-year course in lighting design, designed for people who have already completed a higher or secondary specialized education in the field of engineering systems, architectural design or design, and have decided to focus on the topic of light. Accordingly, we plan classes so that they are convenient for working people: in the evenings on weekdays and one day off completely.

In Russia, there is still no such education, despite long traditions and a high level of development of lighting technology and an ever-growing interest in lighting design. There are large technical universities that graduate lighting technicians, there are short-term courses at them, there are individual subjects that are taught in the departments of architecture, and there are commercial design courses. And as a result of this approach to education on the market, one can note the division into creative specialists who lack technical knowledge and technical specialists who do not have a creative vision of projects. There is a very acute lack of professionals in whom both of these components would be harmoniously combined.

We set ourselves the task of changing the situation by developing a course in which technical knowledge about light, its practical application, lighting and lighting technology would be combined with classes aimed at developing the aesthetic component, using the artistic and emotional possibilities of light, its connection with architecture and people.

How can you combine such different approaches to lighting design in practice?

- Our program includes disciplines that will fill the missing knowledge and skills, both for “artists” and “technicians”. During the first months of training, a unifying module is planned, during which students will unite into teams in order to exchange knowledge and learn new things in the process of joint work on design projects, so that later they can make projects on their own.

The course will be taught by leading Russian practitioners who have proven by their experience that it is the combination of these two approaches that gives the best results. Many hours in the program of the course are laid down for lectures and seminars on physics and theory of light, as well as for practical classes, in which students will simulate lighting scenes and study already implemented projects in order to analyze the technologies used in them. Visits to factories, acquaintance with production facilities, visits to real design bureaus, excursions to city objects and similar "field exercises" are planned. We also plan to organize our own lighting laboratory at MARCH School, where students can experiment with lighting devices and effects on their own.

Are you planning to focus only on architectural lighting?

- Not. We have included in our program items and design assignments for three main types of lighting design: architectural or facade, interior and landscape. There are no fundamental differences between them, but when working with each typology, it is necessary to know and take into account its specifics, the functions of light in a particular object, the peculiarities of the perception of light and the requirements for it. As part of the course, students will develop three different projects, allowing them to graduate with a compelling portfolio. In addition, they will have experience working on real cases, familiarity with leading industry practices and a comprehensive understanding of modern technologies and techniques for working with light.

And if you look at the question more broadly? What skills and knowledge should a specialist have to be considered a lighting designer? Does the profession of a lighting designer even exist?

- Unfortunately, the opinion that a lighting designer is a fictitious profession, a new beautiful name for lighting engineers or an encroachment on the role of an architect in a project is very widespread. In fact, this is a real interdisciplinary profession that has arisen at the junction of several disciplines at once - lighting engineering, architecture and design, electrical engineering, scenography and, in part, photography. when people's needs for lighting began to go beyond purely functional use.

The profession of a lighting designer has existed on the European market for several decades, and during this time it has managed to prove its necessity. Its foundations were laid by Richard Kelly (1910-1977), who became a pioneer for our industry. He understood and demonstrated that light is not only a functional element of a building or environment, but also a source of aesthetic excellence, capable of influencing both people and architecture.

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Our perception of the world around us is largely dependent on light. Will the surrounding space be visually comfortable and convenient, safe, attractive and interesting, will it give an emotional response. The lighting designer is responsible for all this. He must have in-depth knowledge of light and practical experience in the application of the equipment. He also needs to keep abreast of the latest trends and technical innovations in the field of lighting technology. Technologies are constantly evolving and the further, the more and more rapidly. It is important that the lighting designer has spatial and creative thinking, as well as can present his idea. That is, at least he knew the basics of graphic presentation of materials.

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In Russia, the profession is just taking shape. Relatively recently, the term itself appeared and came into use. Even in the official list of professions, the position of "lighting designer" is absent. In fact, it is being formed before our eyes, its functionality and role in the overall process of project development is determined. I am confident that with the growing demand for lighting professionals, especially those with both creative skills and technical knowledge, this transition will not last long. And I hope that the launch of our course will contribute to this.

If we started talking about the role of a lighting designer in working on a project, could you tell us a little more about how the system of interaction between an architect and a lighting designer should be built? What are the areas of responsibility of each?

- A lighting designer is a specialist who speaks the language of light and through this knowledge helps to express the architectural idea of the project. The lighting designer is responsible for the entire lighting project. He makes sure that the lighting is there, there is enough for it to be functional and comfortable for people, so that it is aesthetically pleasing and fits into the architectural concept. Plus, the lighting designer helps the architect understand how to achieve the desired effect technically and, if necessary, develop some original details for better integration of lighting equipment into the architecture. He also makes sure that the equipment is easy to install, easy to maintain, and energy efficient. The sooner a lighting designer enters the project, the higher the likelihood that all these solutions will be found without compromising the architecture.

It is rare that an architect has sufficient knowledge of modern lighting design to take into account the possibilities and influence of light in the early stages of work. In my experience, except that Zaha Hadid knows exactly what kind of light effect and with what device she wants to create in a certain place of the building. Lighting designers who work with her invent new lamps in order to realize her ideas and often, these devices go into mass production. But even if the architect knows exactly what he wants, consulting a lighting designer early on in a project can be very rewarding. Technologies are developing so rapidly that new types of devices and new installation technologies appear every six months. Therefore, even at the concept stage, it will be useful for every architect to consult with a lighting designer and understand what needs to be foreseen, where there are some pitfalls.

And to what extent does the described system correspond to Russian practice? What is the level of development of lighting design in Russia? What can make a difference?

- In Russia, there has been a growing interest in lighting design lately. This can be judged by the investments made, for example, in the architectural lighting of cities, the attraction of foreign specialists, festivals and events dedicated to light. An understanding comes that light is not a purely utilitarian option, and there is a request, both from the city authorities and from commercial customers, for larger-scale, well-developed projects for lighting pedestrian streets, individual buildings and complexes, right up to the development of light workshops. plans for entire cities. Progress has been particularly noticeable in the field of lighting public spaces. Krymskaya Embankment and Pyatnitskaya Street in Moscow, a pedestrian street in Omsk are already examples of a modern approach to working with light in an urban environment. True, due to the lack of specialists in general and highly qualified in particular, as well as due to a poorly developed collaboration system on the project, in most cases the results are not so impressive.

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Реконструкция пешеходной улицы Чокана Валиханова в Омске. Авторы: СК “ИдеалСтрой”, ООО «Искон», Malishev Wilson Engineers (Великобритания). Фотография © Анатолий Белов. Источник: журнал «Проект Россия»
Реконструкция пешеходной улицы Чокана Валиханова в Омске. Авторы: СК “ИдеалСтрой”, ООО «Искон», Malishev Wilson Engineers (Великобритания). Фотография © Анатолий Белов. Источник: журнал «Проект Россия»
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Реконструкция пешеходной улицы Чокана Валиханова в Омске. Авторы: СК “ИдеалСтрой”, ООО «Искон», Malishev Wilson Engineers (Великобритания). Фотография © Анатолий Белов. Источник: журнал «Проект Россия»
Реконструкция пешеходной улицы Чокана Валиханова в Омске. Авторы: СК “ИдеалСтрой”, ООО «Искон», Malishev Wilson Engineers (Великобритания). Фотография © Анатолий Белов. Источник: журнал «Проект Россия»
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Historically, in our country, lighting design is purely an engineering specialization. And, like any engineering branch, light has a weak voice when making decisions that affect the architectural appearance of a building. Most of the Russian specialists in the field of lighting design for the most part independently went beyond the engineering profession, where their narrow specialization and secondary role in projects did not allow them to reveal the full potential of modern lighting.

Реновация Крымской набережной © WOWhaus
Реновация Крымской набережной © WOWhaus
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Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Илья Иванов
Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Илья Иванов
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Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Илья Иванов
Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Илья Иванов
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Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Елизавета Грачёва
Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Елизавета Грачёва
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Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Елизавета Грачёва
Реновация Крымской набережной. Фотография © Елизавета Грачёва
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The situation can be changed by forming a layer of professionals who can take responsibility for closing the gap between the engineering side of lighting and architecture. The demand for the services of lighting consultants is gradually growing, therefore, by preparing specialists who are able to meet new market needs, we will create a movement towards each other both from the side of customers and from the expert community.

And which countries are the world leaders in lighting design? What current trends can you point out? What does the future hold for us in the field of lighting design?

- The undisputed leader in the number of specialists and lighting design bureaus is Great Britain. Almost no architectural project in this country is complete without the participation of lighting designers. Traditionally, the profession is well represented in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, especially in Finland and Sweden, thanks to the presence of universities with specialized education. In addition, the specificity of the climate affects the level of development. The Nordic countries pay a lot of attention to light and are known for their careful handling of it. For us it may seem too intimate, too minimalistic, modest. Many European cities have not been re-illuminated, this is due to the traditions of these countries, and to the economy of energy resources.

Здание медиакомпании Sky – Sky Believe in Better Building © Simon Kennedy
Здание медиакомпании Sky – Sky Believe in Better Building © Simon Kennedy
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Здание медиакомпании Sky – Sky Believe in Better Building © Simon Kennedy
Здание медиакомпании Sky – Sky Believe in Better Building © Simon Kennedy
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Здание медиакомпании Sky – Sky Believe in Better Building © Simon Kennedy
Здание медиакомпании Sky – Sky Believe in Better Building © Simon Kennedy
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The profession is actively developing in China. Among the countries that pay great attention to the formation of a light urban environment, I would name the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. It is in this city that the buildings that have become icons of lighting design in recent years are located. Now at the global level, there are several dozen very strong lighting design teams that do projects around the world. I would highlight among them the Lighting Design Collective (lighting designer Tapi Risenius), AF Lighting (lighting designer Kai Piippo), Skira (lighting designer Dean Skira), Speirs + Major studio, Arup lighting, the list goes on. From year to year they manage to create magnificent iconic lighting projects, participate in competitions, and collaborate with the best architects. Many of the lighting designers advise lighting factories and create exciting new products with them.

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Mobile Europe Building. Амстердам. Бюро DUS Architects. На фасадах совмещение прочных тканей и 3D печати. Фотография © Ossip van Duivenbode
Mobile Europe Building. Амстердам. Бюро DUS Architects. На фасадах совмещение прочных тканей и 3D печати. Фотография © Ossip van Duivenbode
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Mobile Europe Building. Амстердам. Бюро DUS Architects. На фасадах совмещение прочных тканей и 3D печати. Фотография © Ossip van Duivenbode
Mobile Europe Building. Амстердам. Бюро DUS Architects. На фасадах совмещение прочных тканей и 3D печати. Фотография © Ossip van Duivenbode
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Офисное здание компании “Ministry of Design”. Сингапур © Ministry of Design
Офисное здание компании “Ministry of Design”. Сингапур © Ministry of Design
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Офисное здание компании “Ministry of Design”. Сингапур © Ministry of Design
Офисное здание компании “Ministry of Design”. Сингапур © Ministry of Design
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If we talk about trends, then, of course, first of all, it is necessary to highlight media technologies in architectural lighting of buildings, as well as the integration of light into architecture, when light is no longer considered as a separate or additionally necessary element, but is a part of architecture.

Among the manufacturers of lighting equipment, which companies can you single out and why are they interesting?

- Lamps are tools that we use in our work every day. Tools can be comfortable, familiar, or innovative. Professionals prefer equipment with great variability in optics, power, color, additional accessories. Almost every strong brand-manufacturer has its own strong point. For example, I associate ERCO primarily with exposition lighting for museums and exhibitions, iGuzzini - street light for cities, Siteco and Zumtobel - can offer an ideal solution for offices, Delta Light with residential interiors or the landscape of country houses. All manufacturers are very interesting, each has its own characteristics and strengths.

*** Reference:

Natalia Markevich. Curator of the course "Lighting Design" MARCH 2016/2017 academic year. Graduated from the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, the British Higher School of Design, and the University of Arts, London. Practicing lighting designer with extensive experience in both Russian and foreign lighting design companies, including ARUP Lighting London. In collaboration with the world's leading architects, she worked on lighting projects for Kuntsevo Plaza and Skolkovo Technopark, BAT offices in Moscow and JP Morgan in London, took part in the development of the Lighting Concept for the Sochi Olympic Park and the emergency lighting concept for Mega Shopping Complexes for IKEA …

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