Light Headed: A VLD Community Podcast

Who decides how dark the night should be? In Episode 03, the four founders of the Virtual Lighting Design Community look back on Lux Futurum in Shenzhen, take on three stories from The Pulse, and hand the last word to the community.With Ingmar Klaasen (The Integrator), Martin Klaasen (The Strategist), Katia Kolovea (The Communicator) and Amardeep M. Dugar (The Scientist).LUX FUTURUM 2026Eight winners in Shenzhen, with Darkness, Designed by Francesco Guastella taking the peer award. Katia's takeaway: question what we already know. Amardeep's: the future of lighting is multidimensional.STORY 1: DARKNESS IN THE RULESChile's lighting standard now covers biodiversity and human health, and Hangzhou's plan to 2035 adds dark sky protection areas. Martin says light design is as much about not putting lights in, Katia asks how we talk to people who already feel unsafe, and Amardeep backs lighting designers to balance it all.STORY 2: KEEP WHAT WORKSA study published by Signify, one of our Advanced Supporters, found 37 of 50 circular lighting projects reported lower costs or financing benefits. Katia asks how you sell "keep it" to a client, Amardeep questions the evidence, and Martin argues for quality over quantity.STORY 3: RARE-EARTH-FREE WHITE LEDSSeoul Viosys says it is mass-producing a white LED chip with no rare-earth phosphor. Amardeep asks what's really new, while Martin and Katia imagine light that disappears into the architecture.STAT OF THE DAY$1.05 million, pledged by the Designers Lighting Forum of New York to the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education.FROM THE COMMUNITYNicolas Houel's poll: what comes first where you live? Plus Damian Torres writes back with a live demo and asks for your critique.Read every story and join in at members.vld.community, the free global community for everyone who works with light.Light Headed is free thanks to our Advanced Supporters: Signify, ERCO, WAC Architectural, Casambi, LEDS C4, Aero Light, Photizo and Lighting Recipe Studio.New episode every fortnight. Inform. Innovate. Inspire.

Does more light really make streets safer? Should anyone set a minimum efficiency for lamps? And if software does the grunt work, where do junior designers learn? In Episode 02, the four founders of the Virtual Lighting Design Community take on three stories from The Pulse, then answer our first question from the community.With Ingmar Klaasen (The Integrator), Martin Klaasen (The Strategist), Katia Kolovea (The Communicator) and Amardeep M. Dugar (The Scientist).STORY 1: DOES LIGHT MAKE STREETS SAFER?When Newark, New Jersey, swapped 1,419 sodium streetlights for LEDs, a Rutgers study found violent crime nearby fell 46% in six months, then faded within two years. Amardeep: “Even criminology has a shelf life.” Katia argues more light doesn’t automatically mean more safety, and Martin draws on his work in Perth.STORY 2: THE LIT ACTA US Senate committee has backed a bill to scrap the efficiency rules that phased out incandescent lamps. Martin sees politics behind it, Katia asks whether consumers know what they’re choosing, and Amardeep would ban lamps containing mercury first.STORY 3: WHERE DO JUNIORS LEARN?LightStanza says its new feature turns 2D CAD plans into 3D rooms in under an hour. Martin wants AI that explains its reasoning, Amardeep compares it to the move to AutoCAD, and Katia asks where the saved time goes.FROM THE COMMUNITYDamian asked: how do you connect lighting calculations with visual presentation? Plus what’s new at VLDC: Standards & Guides in the Knowledge Library.Read every story and ask us your own question at members.vld.community, the free global community for everyone who works with light.Light Headed is free thanks to our Advanced Supporters: Signify, ERCO, WAC Lighting, Casambi, LEDS C4, Aero Light, Photizo and Lighting Recipe Studio.New episode every fortnight. Inform. Innovate. Inspire.

Is CRI telling us what we actually see? Should AI be refereeing product substitutions? And can lighting really help people living with dementia? In the very first episode of Light Headed, the four founders of the Virtual Lighting Design Community take on three stories from The Pulse, and don't agree on any of them.Ingmar Klaasen (The Integrator), Martin Klaasen (The Strategist), Katia Kolovea (The Communicator) and Amardeep M. Dugar (The Scientist) join from Perth, Athens and Chennai.THE NEW VLDCWe start with the platform itself. VLDC has been reorganised: a simpler layout, a Knowledge Library sorted by topic, a member directory you can search by role, expertise, region and availability, an events space covering the whole industry rather than just our own calendar, and a new monthly Member Spotlight. Amardeep explains why one shared events calendar matters in an industry this fragmented, and why the last six years were really the beta test.STORY 1: IS CRI TELLING US WHAT WE ACTUALLY SEE?A paper in Optical Materials argues that shifting a red peak from 620 to 630 nm drops CRI from 86 to 69, yet the light looks better. Amardeep makes the scientific case for moving beyond CRI to IES TM-30. Martin trusts his eye first and reaches for the science second. Katia asks the question underneath both: how do you explain any of this to a client?STORY 2: CAN AI JUDGE PRODUCT SUBSTITUTIONS?Paul Rodenbush argues AI belongs in the substitution process as a neutral comparison layer. Martin wants AI that explains its reasoning so designers learn from it. Amardeep points out that AI can find the closest product, but only the designer knows why the beam angle has to be two degrees. Katia worries about a generation learning to design with their judgement already outsourced.STORY 3: SMART LIGHTING AND DEMENTIAPenn State has won US$3.6 million to test, over five years with 300 residents in ten nursing homes, whether tunable lighting genuinely helps people living with dementia. Amardeep on the gap between what the market claims and what the evidence supports. Martin on why lighting designers are not doctors, and Katia on the fact that we prescribe anyway.We don't settle any of it. That's the point. Tell us where you stand and we'll pick it up next time.READ THE STORIESIs CRI telling us what we actually see?https://members.vld.community/c/world-news/is-cri-telling-us-what-we-actually-seeCan AI help project teams judge product substitutions?https://members.vld.community/c/ai-news/can-ai-help-project-teams-judge-product-substitutionsSmart lighting trial aims to help people with dementiahttps://members.vld.community/c/world-news/smart-lighting-trial-aims-to-help-people-with-dementiaMENTIONEDLux Futurum Forum 2026, Shenzhen · IES TM-30 · Colour Quality Scale (CQS) · Inside Lighting · US Lighting Trends · The Lighting PoliceJOIN FREEVLDC is the free global community for everyone who designs, specifies, makes and works with light. Join at members.vld.communityLight Headed is free thanks to our Advanced Supporters: Signify, ERCO, WAC Lighting, Casambi, LEDS C4, Aero Light, Photizo and Lighting Recipe Studio.New episode every fortnight. Inform. Innovate. Inspire.

The future of architecture is here, and it’s illuminated by the light of collaboration between humans and machines. Sahil Tanveer, speaking at the 2025 Lux Futurum Event in Shanghai, unveils the groundbreaking Photon Pavilion, an innovative space where AI and architecture coalesce to redefine our relationship with light and darkness. Sure to entice your curiousity about the fusion of technology and our built environment. In a world often polarised by the extremes of artificial intelligence—either as a saviour or a destroyer—Sahil offers a third perspective: that of a thought partner. He shares his visionary approach to creating the Photon Pavilion, a living structure that not only adapts to its environment but also interacts with its inhabitants. You’ll discover how AI agents embedded within the architecture respond to human needs, enhancing well-being and cultural experiences in real-time. Sahil breaks down the key elements of this project, including: - The concept of AI light agents that dynamically alter the pavilion’s ambience based on the emotional and physical states of its visitors. - The innovative applications developed to monitor and guide users’ light exposure, ensuring a harmonious balance between natural and artificial light. - The integration of cultural elements that allow the pavilion to light up for festivals autonomously, fostering community engagement and celebration. Why does this matter? As urban spaces grow increasingly saturated with artificial light, understanding how to create environments that respect circadian rhythms and promote health is crucial. Sahil’s vision for the Photon Pavilion serves as a prototype for cities worldwide, advocating for a Dark Sky Charter and redefining our approach to energy ethics. This episode is a great listen for anyone interested in the future of design and the ethical implications of technology.

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to run a successful lighting design business? Beyond the creative brilliance and technical expertise lies a complex web of business skills that many designers never anticipate when launching their own practice. --- Re-release of a presentation from our 'Business of Lighting Design' series from the first season on the VLD Community platform.  To watch this presentation visit members.vld.community and head to the 'Season One - The Business of Lighting Design' section.   ---  In this presentation, award-winning lighting designer Paul Nulty (founder of Nulty Lighting) pulls back the curtain on the business fundamentals that separate thriving lighting design practices from struggling ones. Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey spanning over two decades, Paul introduces a straightforward yet powerful four-pillar business model that forms the backbone of any successful design practice. The revelation that actual lighting design work constitutes merely 25% of running a business serves as both a reality check and roadmap for aspiring practice owners. Through candid insights and practical wisdom, Paul details how Operations, Human Resources, Business Development, and Finance must work in harmony—with each demanding equal time and attention from practice leaders. For many creative professionals, topics like sales strategies, financial management, and team building feel foreign or uncomfortable. Yet Paul makes a compelling case for embracing these skills not only for personal success but for elevating the entire lighting design profession. His refreshing honesty about his own limitations ("I want to be the worst person at everything in my practice") offers a powerful lesson in leveraging team strengths. Beyond tactical advice, this presentation delves into the deeper questions of purpose and passion that should drive any business endeavor. Paul guides listeners through crafting meaningful vision and mission statements that serve as both compass and fuel for the entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're contemplating starting your own lighting design practice or seeking to strengthen an existing one, this presentation delivers the framework and inspiration to transform creative talent into business success. The path may be challenging, but with passion, purpose, and professional acumen, the business of lighting design offers rewards well worth the journey. Support the show Learn more about our community by visiting www.vld.community Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more like this, please signup, subscribe and would appreciate a 5-star review!