Lighting Matters

Avraham Mor & Lisa Reed
  • 5.0 (6)
  • DESIGN

Welcome to the podcast about Lighting Matters! Our unflinching conversations uncover the nuances and complexities that shape the craft of lighting design. Tune in to explore the pivotal ‘whys’ behind a lighting designer’s choices and find honest answers to your most challenging lighting questions, because Lighting Matters.

  1. Episode 27: ASID Chair David Euscher: Making the Case for Lighting Specialists

    DEC 2

    Episode 27: ASID Chair David Euscher: Making the Case for Lighting Specialists

    What's the connection between lighting control systems, circadian rhythm, and designing for neurodivergent building occupants?    David Euscher, national board chair for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and interior designer based in Houston, discusses the critical relationship between interior design and lighting with hosts Lisa Reed of Reed Burkett Lighting Design and Avi Mor of Morelites. Can you really design a space without considering how light reveals it? The conversation explores professional licensure challenges, the 2014 friendship agreement between ASID, IES, and IALD, and strategies for bringing lighting professionals onto project teams early. Euscher shares compelling project stories, including work on Texas Children's Hospital where lighting designers fundamentally changed how dimensional spheres were illuminated. The discussion addresses human health standards, ASID's annual Trends Outlook Report, and why creating variety in lighting environments matters for both neurotypical and neurodivergent building occupants.  (00:00) David Euscher's interior design career and role as ASID national board chair  (05:56) Collaboration between ASID, IES, and IALD - the four visual design disciplines  (13:41) Professional licensure and making the case for lighting specialists  (22:27) Daylight automation, control systems, and human health standards  (30:09) Project stories - Texas Children's Hospital and historic renovations  (34:50) Favorite illuminated spaces - Nasher and Kimbell Art Museums  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your thoughts, comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!  About the show:   Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.    Resources:  David Euscher LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-euscher-asid-iida-ncidq-well-ap-01ba8b50/  Lighting Matters Podcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lighting-matters-podcast/  Lighting Matters Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLkEKnB8XgSXoeDY0T8t3w  Lisa Reed  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-j-reed-b198154/   Reed Burkett Lighting Design http://www.rbldi.com  Avraham Mor  https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/  Morlights  https://www.morlights.com/

    38 min
  2. Episode 26: From Tax Credits to Design Excellence: Historic Preservation Lighting

    NOV 18

    Episode 26: From Tax Credits to Design Excellence: Historic Preservation Lighting

    What if value engineering meant distilling to essentials instead of cutting corners?    Joel Fuoss, Principal at Trivers in St. Louis, joins hosts Lisa Reed of Reed Burkett Lighting Design and Avi Mor of Mor Lights to discuss adaptive reuse, historic tax credits, and collaborative design. How do you convince clients that lighting isn't optional? Fuoss explains how historic tax credits reduce costs by 40%, making specialty consultants financially viable. The conversation challenges traditional value engineering, reframing it as distillation to a project's essential mission rather than arbitrary cost-cutting. "We can design an incredible space...and then you turn the lights on, and it kills it," Fuoss warns. The discussion explores why architects need lighting designers as creative partners, not decorators, and how collaboration produces award-winning work like The Victor Building's recent AIA national housing award.  In This Episode:   (00:00) Joel's adaptive reuse architecture  (04:10) Victor Building wins national AIA award  (07:05) Historic tax credits enable design quality  (12:47) Redefining value engineering as distillation  (18:42) How poor lighting destroys architecture  (26:11) Collaboration replaces master architect model  (32:18) Architects as conductors of design orchestra  (40:36) Favorite spaces lit through trees  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your thoughts, comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!    About the show:   Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.   Resources:  Joel Fuoss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-fuoss-aia-leed-ap-a1121b4/  Trivers Lighting: https://www.triverslighting.com/  Lighting Matters Podcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lighting-matters-podcast/  Lighting Matters Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLkEKnB8XgSXoeDY0T8t3w  Lisa Reed  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-j-reed-b198154/   Reed Burkett Lighting Design http://www.rbldi.com  Avraham Mor  https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/  Morlights  https://www.morlights.com/

    48 min
  3. Episode 25: Luci on Creating Memories with Light

    OCT 9

    Episode 25: Luci on Creating Memories with Light

    Why does museum lighting deliver 10x ROI compared to other exhibit elements?    AJ Goehle, CEO of Luci, and Kevin Snow, lighting and set designer, discuss the critical role of theatrical lighting in museum exhibit design. The Chicago-based firm has grown from 2 to 52 team members since 2011, creating immersive visitor experiences across history museums, science centers, and cultural institutions. They explore how strategic use of light and shadow creates "transportation moments" that suspend disbelief. "What I think is really great- what you light, and where you light it, and how, where you tell people to look," Snow explains about directing visitor attention. The conversation covers budget strategies, client education through precedent trips, and transformative before-and-after case studies. Both emphasize lighting's exceptional return on investment for creating memorable museum experiences.   In This Episode:   (00:00) Luci's growth from 2 to 52 team members  (05:56) Creating transportation moments through lighting design  (16:04) First Division Museum transformation case study  (25:58) Client education and budget allocation strategies  (38:00) Before and after lighting transformation examples  (45:14) Favorite illuminated spaces and inspiration  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your thoughts, comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!  About the show:   Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.   Resources:  AJ Goehle LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajgoehle/  Kevin Snow LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsnowluci/  Luci lucicreative.com  Lighting Matters Podcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lighting-matters-podcast/  Lighting Matters Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLkEKnB8XgSXoeDY0T8t3w  Lisa Reed  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-j-reed-b198154/   Reed Burkett Lighting Design http://www.rbldi.com  Avraham Mor  https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/  Morlights  https://www.morlights.com/

    51 min
  4. Episode 24: Voices from IES25

    SEP 23

    Episode 24: Voices from IES25

    Hosts Avi Mor and Lisa Reed take the Lighting Matters podcast on location to the IES conference in Anaheim, conducting rapid-fire interviews with five leading lighting professionals. The episode explores how lighting designers advocate for their profession across different practice models - from integration firms to nonprofits to global studios. Violet Estes of Cantara Design discusses bridging the gap between lighting design and home automation. Nick Albert reveals his Light Equity initiative helping LA wildfire victims access professional lighting design. Shoshana Segal challenges the industry to stop preaching to the choir and educate broader audiences. SmithGroup's Paige Donnell explains internal advocacy within integrated firms. IES Fellow Paul Gregory shares decades of wisdom on creating emotional connections through light. "You don't see the column, you just see the light that bounces off it," Gregory explains. Each conversation reveals different approaches to the same fundamental challenge: proving lighting's essential value.   In This Episode:   (00:00) Conference introduction and methodology - hosts Avi Mor and Lisa Reed explain their on-location recording approach at IES conference in Anaheim, using consistent questions across multiple lighting professionals  (02:41) Violet Estes from Cantara Design - integration specialist bridging lighting design and home automation, discussing control systems and the challenge of maintaining design integrity through installation  (11:46) Nick Albert from Chromatic Lighting Design - architectural lighting designer's perspective on the universal application of lighting principles and Light Equity nonprofit initiative for LA wildfire reconstruction  (26:32) Shoshana Segal from Hartranft Lighting Studios - advocating for quality lighting as a universal entitlement, moving beyond lighting industry echo chambers to educate broader audiences  (45:08) Paige Donnell from SmithGroup - integrated firm lighting designer discussing internal advocacy challenges, value engineering versus value maintenance, and building connectedness through light  (57:49) Paul Gregory from Focus Lighting - newly inducted IES Fellow sharing 45 years of experience, the art of creating emotional memories through lighting, and client education strategies  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your thoughts, comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!    About the show:   Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.     Resources:  Violet Estes, Senior Lighting Designer, Cantara Design, Cantaradesign.com  Nick Albert, Principal, Chromatic, wearechromatic.com  Shoshana Segal, Principal, Hartranft Lighting Studios, HartranftLighting.com  Paige Donnell, Principal, SmithGroup,

    1h 15m
  5. Episode 23: The Hidden Cost of Bad Lighting: An Architect's Perspective

    SEP 9

    Episode 23: The Hidden Cost of Bad Lighting: An Architect's Perspective

    Why are expensive light fixtures often the wrong choice for better spaces?    Margaret Cavenagh, Managing Director at Perkins & Will Chicago, discusses her evolution from residential lighting basics to managing complex architectural lighting at a global firm. Drawing from 20 years at Studio Gang and recent transition to Perkins & Will's 2,500-person practice, she explores budget-conscious lighting strategies and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Cavenagh emphasizes that "it doesn't have to be expensive to still have high quality impact" when discussing cost-effective approaches to architectural lighting. The conversation covers circadian rhythm standards, restaurant lighting psychology, and maintenance considerations. Her perspective on integrating lighting designers early in the process rather than at design development reveals how strategic thinking prevents costly mistakes in educational and healthcare projects.  In This Episode:   (00:00) From Studio Gang to Perkins & Will  (08:28) Early lighting discoveries in residential projects  (13:14) When to bring in a lighting designer  (24:05) Why expensive fixtures aren't always the answer  (30:14) Selling lighting design to skeptical clients  (39:46) Circadian rhythm standards changing building design  (47:30) Restaurant lighting psychology and profit  (53:15) Cross-disciplinary design and acoustics  (57:33) White tuning technology revolution  (1:04:00) Favorite illuminated spaces and inspiration  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your thoughts, comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!    About the show:   Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.     Resources:  Margaret Cavenagh margaret.cavenagh@perkinswill.com  Lighting Matters Podcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lighting-matters-podcast/  Lighting Matters Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLkEKnB8XgSXoeDY0T8t3w  Lisa Reed  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-j-reed-b198154/   Reed Burkett Lighting Design http://www.rbldi.com  Avraham Mor  https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/  Morlights  https://www.morlights.com/

    1h 9m
  6. Episode 22: Studio K's Karen Herold: Why Bad Lighting Kills Good Design

    AUG 20

    Episode 22: Studio K's Karen Herold: Why Bad Lighting Kills Good Design

    "If someone would say we have $1 million for finishes but no lighting designer, or $600,000 with a lighting designer - I choose that second one every day of the week." - Karen Herold    Interior designer Karen Herold of Studio K joins hosts Lisa and Avi for an in-depth discussion about the critical relationship between interior design and lighting. With 25 years in hospitality design, Herold shares insights from her work with notable restaurateurs and her philosophy that "lighting makes or breaks every project." The conversation explores how lighting creates emotional environments, the challenge of selling lighting design services to clients, and innovative approaches like rechargeable table lamps changing traditional restaurant lighting strategies. Herold emphasizes the collaborative nature of successful projects, stating "if you don't light it correctly, you might as well not design it" - echoing Steve Wynn's design philosophy that has guided her career from Vegas casinos to mountain resorts.  In This Episode:   (00:00) From fashion to hospitality design  (05:25) Why lighting makes or breaks every project  (11:27) Restaurant design challenge: layering light between tables and the ceiling  (13:09) Selling lighting design services to skeptical clients  (16:12) Rechargeable lamps are changing restaurant lighting strategies completely  (24:18) Building client trust through clear boundaries and expertise  (26:28) Bridging the knowledge gap with better visual tools  (34:15) Training junior designers and continuing education importance  (39:42) Beyond restaurant: lighting that reduces the need for expensive finishes  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your thoughts, comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!    About the show:   Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.   Resources:  Karen Herold www.studiokcreative.com  Lighting Matters Podcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/lighting-matters-podcast/  Lighting Matters Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLkEKnB8XgSXoeDY0T8t3w  Lisa Reed  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-j-reed-b198154/   Reed Burkett Lighting Design http://www.rbldi.com  Avraham Mor  https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/  Morlights

    43 min
  7. Episode 21: From Overlooked to Essential: The Four Visual Professionals in Architecture

    AUG 5

    Episode 21: From Overlooked to Essential: The Four Visual Professionals in Architecture

    "No amount of photometric studies is gonna tell you how it's actually gonna perform until you actually see it at 10 o'clock at night." - Rob Reuland    Avi Mor of Mor Lights and Lisa Reed of Reed Burket Lighting Design reflect on their first year hosting Lighting Matters, outlining their evolved mission to advocate for lighting design as the fourth essential visual profession alongside architects, interior designers, and landscape architects. They discuss the critical need for unified industry advocacy through organizations like IES and IALD. "Why would you create something new when there's already brand recognition?" Mor asks about working within existing structures. The hosts examine how lighting gets overlooked by major design organizations and their strategy to bring lighting conversations to broader industry events. Reed emphasizes that quality lighting design isn't about project size but about "meeting the visual needs of the people occupying that space."   In This Episode:   (00:00) One-year celebration of the podcast, and advocacy mission evolution  (03:12) Four primary visual professionals in the built environment  (18:37) IES technical standards versus IALD design advocacy  (25:25) Bringing lighting conversations to broader industry events  (31:58) New IES standard addresses visual and physical needs  (39:43) Real-world lighting impact on emotions and business  (45:57) Future podcast direction and listener engagement strategy  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your thoughts, comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!    About the show:   Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.     Resources:  Lighting Matters Podcast Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/lighting-matters-podcast/  Lighting Matters Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLkEKnB8XgSXoeDY0T8t3w  Lisa Reed  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-j-reed-b198154/   Reed Burkett Lighting Design http://www.rbldi.com  Avraham Mor  https://www.linkedin.com/in/avrahammor/  Morlights  https://www.morlights.com/

    47 min
  8. Episode 20: Landscape Architecture Meets Lighting Design

    JUN 25

    Episode 20: Landscape Architecture Meets Lighting Design

    "No amount of photometric studies is gonna tell you how it's actually gonna perform until you actually see it at 10 o'clock at night." - Rob Reuland    What happens when someone starts taking out trash at 17 and becomes a principal at one of Chicago's leading landscape architecture firms? Rob Reuland from Site Design Group joins hosts Lisa Reed and Avi Mor for a fascinating exploration of how lighting and landscape professionals must collaborate to create truly exceptional spaces. "I couldn't agree more that landscape architecture is so misunderstood," Rob admits early in the conversation. "A lot of people do think it's just about plants, but we do so much more." From hardscape detailing to community engagement to serving as therapists between consultants, the profession demands far more than plant knowledge.  But here's where it gets interesting for lighting professionals. Should the industry push for "lighting architect" status instead of "lighting designer"? Rob's perspective from the licensed landscape architecture world offers compelling insights. The conversation tackles Chicago's disastrous LED streetlight conversion - a $280 million project completed without lighting design input that resulted in harsh, glaring fixtures. "It just drives me crazy that it went LED, but to some 6,000K the brightest white thing you can possibly imagine," Rob reflects. They dive deep into the five principles of responsible outdoor lighting, tree uplighting challenges, and why the new lighting standards focusing on human health rather than foot candles represent a massive shift for the profession.  In This Episode:   (00:00) Rob's early career journey - starting at 17 taking out trash at a Chicago landscape firm, discovering the profession through a greenhouse teacher  (03:16) Understanding landscape architecture beyond plants - hardscape design, stormwater management, community engagement, serving as consultants between design professionals  (06:08) The evolution challenge - how landscapes mature over time, educating clients about day one versus the 2-5 year sweet spot when projects reach potential  (14:08) The four visual professionals concept - architecture, interiors, landscape architecture, and lighting design as essential visual disciplines in construction  (19:25) Professional recognition and licensing - comparing landscape architecture's regulated status with lighting design's lack of formal licensure  (25:11) Health, safety, and welfare impacts - new lighting standards focusing on human circadian rhythms rather than foot candles  (32:08) Chicago's lighting transition disaster - problematic switch from sodium to harsh LED streetlights without proper lighting design input  (35:17) Five principles of responsible outdoor lighting - useful, targeted, low levels, controlled timing, warmer colors to protect wildlife and human health  (42:00) CPTED and spatial quality - crime prevention through environmental design, coordinated lighting and landscape discouraging crime  (47:07) Tree lighting techniques and challenges - lights in trees versus uplighting, importance of mockups, balancing tree health with illumination  Would you be interested in sponsoring our podcast? Reach out to us.   Share your th...

    1 hr
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the podcast about Lighting Matters! Our unflinching conversations uncover the nuances and complexities that shape the craft of lighting design. Tune in to explore the pivotal ‘whys’ behind a lighting designer’s choices and find honest answers to your most challenging lighting questions, because Lighting Matters.

Information

  • Creator
    Avraham Mor & Lisa Reed
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Morlights & RBLD 2025
  • Show Website
    Lighting Matters

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