Luminous Talks 3: The Changing Room is just 3 days away

Luminous Talks 3: The Changing Room is the third installment of an annual symposium that is sponsored through a partnership between Parsons The New School for Design and Philips Lighting.  Each year the symposium features presentations and panel discussion surrounding a pertinent topic in lighting design.  This year, The Changing Room explores the dynamic potential of environments in which both natural and artificial forms of light activate interior spaces. 

The symposium includes a live event in New York City on November 12 at 4:30pm (eastern standard time).  The event will also be live streamed for those who may be interested and unable to attend in person.  Please spread the word.  The event is sure to be packed with lively debate.  Click on the hyper links for more information on the Luminous Talks Series and  registration for The Changing room.  

One Kansas City Place Lobby Renovation

I'm working with BNIM Architects on the lobby renovation of this 1980's high-rise tower - an iconic element to the downtown Kansas City skyline.  The renovation, which is largely lighting related, is intended to bring a new and more current personality to this featured entry.  A significant part of the lighting design concept is a large custom chandelier that "swings" through this 2-story space - engaging occupants as they pass under, around and through the cloud-like mass.  The cumulative effect of thousands of dynamic white LED's combined with reflections on the glossy interior surfaces is a dazzling immersive environment of luminous spectacle.  Combined with an elaborate theatrical control system and individual control channels per module, programmed shows will create time based movement through altering light intensity and warm-to-cool tonal fades throughout the day.  Chandelier engineering and fabrication by DuraComm.  

Parsons Students Focus Lights at Sheila Johnson Design Center

This week i worked with a group of lighting students to focus lights in the Sheila Johnson Design Center - the main public exhibition space at Parsons.  The process starts with a gallery tour with the curator in order to understand the exhibition context.  Students subsequently develop a lighting scheme and make all physical modifications to the track lighting system.  This process takes 8-10 hours of late night, hot and dirty work.  It involves carefully navigating around the exhibition works, removing and relocating luminaires, changing light sources, modifying optics, screening output, building accessory hoods and modifying control programming.  It has proven to be an invaluable hands on experience - offering students a truly tangible understanding of lighting design. 

It just so happens that the exhibition examines the work of Victor Papanek who was a great design thinking and educator at my alma mater, the Kansas City Art Institute, as well as the University of Kansas.  Nice to have the midwestern link.  

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Parsons and Philips collaborate on Luminous Talks 3

Final planning for Luminous Talks 3 is wrapping up in good form.  This annual public event, now in its third year, assembles experts from academia, design, architecture and science to explore diverse perspectives on a chosen thematic topic in light.  This year's theme is "The Changing Room" which examines the dynamic potential of environments in which both natural and artificial forms of light activate interior space.  Visit the Luminous Talks website frequently for updated information on the flagship event in New York City this November and other educational events related to this ongoing public program series.    

Derek Porter Speaks at the London School of Economics

LSE Cities is an international centre at the London School of Economics (LSE) and Political Science that carries out research, education and outreach activities in London and abroad.  Its mission is to study how people and cities interact in a rapidly urbanizing world, focusing on how the design of cities impacts on society, culture and the environment.  LSE hosts public events that bring together academics, researchers and practitioners to discuss specific topics regarding lighting and urban contexts.  I’m pleased to be part of the “Lighting the Local” panel discussion taking place September 22.  My presentation segment will be partnered with Adam Kaasa from the Royal College of Art and moderated by Joanne Entwistle from Kings College.  

Wichita Art Museum Sculpture Garden

Derek Porter Studio is collaborating with Confluence, a landscape architecture firm headquartered in Kansas City, to develop a new sculpture garden for the Wichita Art Museum.  A primary walking path weaves through the landscape which is conceived as a series of linked spatial sequences.  Conceptual spaces and light/landscape demarcations currently under development include: Place, Room, Edge, Path and Entry.  Each has a unique relationship to soft and hard scape. programmed activity and lighting interest.  Variations of illuminance patterns, such as directionality, vertical and horizontal composition, contrast and color temperature, will be applied to clarify unique spatial attributes and connect the pieces as a contiguous whole.  The project is currently in Design Development.  Conceptual plan diagrams courtesy of Confluence.   

Artery Residence Chandelier Mock-up

Today we conducted a final review of the custom chandelier design that we developed for two spaces.  The architect, Hufft Projects, fabricated a massing representation of each chandelier in order for the owner and design team to examine scale, unit spacing and fixture position in relation to the occupant and the corresponding custom furniture pieces located below the chandeliers.  A field of pendants that have six LED nodes each comprise two cloud-like forms that hover over the kitchen island and dining room table.  The result is a compressed spatial zone for social exchange.  We now move into the final phase of detailing and site coordination.  Computer rendering courtesy of Hufft Projects.  

Students Focus Lights at Parsons Sheila Johnson Design Center

Each semester I work with a select group of 6 lighting students who focus lights in the main Parsons public gallery that is part of the Sheila Johnson Design Center.  The process starts with a gallery tour with the curator in order to understand the exhibition context.  Students subsequently develop a lighting scheme and make all physical modifications to the track lighting system.  This process takes 8-10 hours of late night, hot and dirty work.  It involves carefully navigating around the exhibition works, removing and relocating luminaires, changing light sources, modifying optics, screening output, building accessory hoods and modifying control programming.  It has proven to be an invaluable hands on experience - offering students a truly tangible understanding of lighting design.  

Park Residence received International Merit Award

The Park Residence recently received an International Merit Award by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.  The electric lighting design is composed of linear fluorescent coves and recessed low voltage accent lights that are arranged as diagramming agents in support of the architectural parti.   Recessed accent lights are located in programmed spaces that have open views to the natural landscape while linear coves create a contrasting luminous backdrop at the more opaque elevation that faces the street. This asymmetric lighting design reinforcing the building's biased orientation and its steep hillside perch.  Go to our LIGHTING section for more information on the Park Residence.   

Artery Residence is taking form

We started design for this residence in 2011 with Hufft Projects in Kansas City. The building is a sculptural composition of dramatic cantilevers and interior shaft volumes that have dynamic natural and electric light effects. A recent site visit revealed how the geometries are taking form. Electric lighting installation starts soon. Check back periodically for updates. This is sure to be a memorable project.