LytePod

Lytei
  • 4.9 (17)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED DAILY

Diving into the honest, creative, challenging, and fun human part of how design really happens - all with a little love for light along the way. Featuring creative minds who walk into their own story - from designers to manufacturers, innovators, and professors - unpack their vision, ideas, accomplishments, and habits that make it happen!

  1. Lighting's Broken System - Geoff Marlow

    JAN 27

    Lighting's Broken System - Geoff Marlow

    What happens when someone who's spent decades inside the lighting industry's machinery gets straight to it? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Geoff Marlow, a veteran consultant and industry strategist who has witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts reshaping architectural lighting—from the rise of LED technology to the relentless wave of consolidation, private equity takeovers, and the erosion of relationships that once held this industry together. Geoff walks through what he calls TTO—the convergence of talent scarcity, technical complexity, and the shift from products to outcomes—and explains why the industry's failure to address these forces is creating chaos across every layer of the supply chain. He reveals why manufacturers, reps, distributors, and designers are all pointing fingers at each other's margins while missing the bigger picture: the process itself is broken. Projects are treated as linear when they're actually iterative. Relationships are treated as poetry when they need to be built on definitive, measurable trust. And consolidation—whether it's reps buying reps, manufacturers buying manufacturers, or private equity rolling up portfolios—keeps failing because purpose is missing. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why talent scarcity, technical complexity, and outcome-driven expectations are colliding—and what that means for everyone in the channel • The myth of the linear project process—and why lighting is actually a highly iterative, parallel-processing challenge • How consolidation (reps, manufacturers, PE) keeps failing because purpose and customer clarity are missing • The shift from specification-driven projects to design-build dominance—and what that means for designers and manufacturers • The hidden economics of distribution, rebates, and margin compression—and why salespeople default to what's easiest, not what's best • The danger of regional expansion without local execution—and why customers don't care how many dots are on your map • Why pricing transparency means different things to different people—and how to navigate that complexity • The four things every person needs before they commit: care, clarity on what "good" is, understanding what good gets them, and a sense of purpose • Why the industry needs a think tank—and what happens if we don't create one Listen now to hear why the lighting system is broken—and how a think tank can help us fix it. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa (00:00:00) Intro(00:01:52) Sponsor Spotlight(00:03:39) The Talent Crisis and the Iterative Reality(00:07:09) COMPASS: Eight Constraints Defining Today's Projects(00:09:15) Deductive vs. Inductive: Why the Industry Builds Backwards(00:12:10) The Relationship Equation: Beyond Poetry to Performance(00:16:08) Getting Local: Why Leadership Must Leave the Building(00:21:48) The Specification Evolution: From Must-Be to Multi-Name(00:25:05) Channel Tension: Does Everyone Like the Members That Are There?(00:26:10) Sponsor Spotlight: DiodeLED, Kelvix, LED Flex(00:28:33) The M&A Problem: Why Spreadsheets Don't Understand Relationships(00:36:36) Margin Dollars Aren't Owed, They're Earned(00:40:21) The 50/50 Market: Spec vs. Commodity(00:43:24) White Goods, Rebates, and Broken Incentives(00:47:15) Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA(00:48:07) Design-Build's 50% Future: What's Your Plan?(00:50:37) Respecting the Designer's Palette(00:51:54) This Is Solvable: Finding Those Who Teach You to Get an A

    53 min
  2. Inside Luminaire Design: Step 1 + 2 - Gary Trott (Acuity), Tom Howe (Kelvix)

    JAN 20

    Inside Luminaire Design: Step 1 + 2 - Gary Trott (Acuity), Tom Howe (Kelvix)

    What happens when you pull back the curtain on how architectural lighting actually gets made—from whiteboard sketch to installation—and discover the hidden complexity, creative tension, and human ingenuity behind every luminaire? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with two veterans from opposite ends of the manufacturing spectrum: Gary Trott from Acuity Brands (one of the largest lighting manufacturers in North America) and Tom Howe from Kelvix (a nimble, specification-focused flexible linear company). Together, they unpack the entire product development journey—the messy, exhilarating, frustrating, and deeply collaborative process that transforms an idea into the light you experience in buildings every day. This isn't a sales pitch or a product demo. It's a rare, candid look at what it really takes to design, engineer, source, manufacture, and deliver lighting in an industry where nothing is standard, every project is different, and the pressure to move fast constantly battles the need to get it right. From the roller coaster of engineering pilots to the art of saying "no" to impossible requests, Gary and Tom reveal the uncomfortable truths about an industry caught between creativity and commerce, innovation and execution, vision and reality. 💡 Key topics explored: • The two-part product development process: ideation vs. execution (and why both are brutal) • Why vertical integration vs. horizontal supply chains matter—and what each enables • How flexible linear lighting gets made (spoiler: it's not as simple as it looks) • The role of controls in modern lighting—and why interoperability still isn't solved • Why manufacturers resist the temptation to design too early and start by deeply understanding problems • What happens when market demand conflicts with true innovation • The myth that change is simple—and what really happens when a spec changes mid-project • How machine vision, testing systems, and skilled labor coexist in modern manufacturing • Why human-centric lighting hasn't unlocked yet—and what's holding it back • The future of lighting: modularity, reuse, sustainability, and less waste • What keeps these industry veterans motivated: people, collaboration, and seeing their work come to life ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa \n\n (00:00:00) Intro(00:01:33) Sponsor Spotlight(00:02:48) Meet the Guests: Gary Trott and Tom Howe(00:03:28) What People Get Wrong About Architectural Lighting(00:05:11) Finding Your Lane: The Art of Specialization(00:06:57) The Luminaire Design Renaissance(00:08:38) Step 1: Ideation and Product Specification(00:13:55) Step 2: The Product Development Roller Coaster(00:21:16) Supply Chain Realities: Local vs. Global Manufacturing(00:30:11) The Controls Conversation: Where Are We Now?(00:40:09) Curiosity vs. Market Demand: The Innovation Dilemma(00:55:04) Behind the Curtain: The Manufacturing Reality(00:58:14) Mythbusters: Change Isn't Simple and Everyone Can Innovate(01:00:54) What Keeps Them Going: People, Passion, and Pride

    1h 5m
  3. What's Changed, What Hasn't: Design in 2026 - Bruce Taylor, Nathalie Faubert, Martin Van Koolbergen

    JAN 13

    What's Changed, What Hasn't: Design in 2026 - Bruce Taylor, Nathalie Faubert, Martin Van Koolbergen

    What happens when three of New York City's most accomplished lighting designers sit down to talk about the state of their profession, with the Empire State Building and JP Morgan Tower framed in the window behind them? In this special episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel brings together a powerhouse roundtable of lighting design leaders to unpack the evolution, challenges, and future of architectural lighting. Recorded live in New York City with the iconic skyline as backdrop, this conversation goes deep into what it really means to design light in 2025—and what needs to change. Martin Van Koolbergen (KGM Lighting), Nathalie Faubert (CBB Lighting Desing), Bruce Taylor (Susan Brady Lighting Design) From nurturing new talent to navigating the relentless pace of modern projects, these designers reveal the uncomfortable truths about an industry caught between artistry and data, emotion and efficiency, tradition and trend. They discuss why lighting design is still treated as a luxury rather than a necessity, how LED technology forced the entire profession to evolve, and why the constant demand for meetings and instant gratification is pushing designers to the edge of burnout. The conversation touches on everything from the tension between photo-realistic renderings and hand sketches, to why trust is the number one thing clients can offer, to the surprising ways technology both helps and hinders great design. 💡 Key topics explored: • How new talent is reshaping lighting design—and what established firms are learning from them • The battle between instant gratification and thoughtful design process • Why lighting designers have become educators whether they wanted to or not • The difference between sustainability as a mindset versus a checkbox • How trends emerge, evolve, and eventually fade in architectural lighting • Why collaboration between firms matters more than protecting trade secrets • What makes designers feel most alive—and why it spans the beginning, middle, and end of every project • The hope for 2030: better education, broader access to good lighting, and recognition that lighting design isn't a luxury—it's essential Whether you're a designer navigating the pressures of modern practice, an architect wondering how lighting consultants really think, or simply someone who's ever wondered why some spaces just feel right—this conversation offers rare insight into a profession that shapes how we experience the built environment every single day. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers’ voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa (00:00:00) The State of Lighting Design: Talent, Technology & Evolution(00:06:30) Bridging Generations: Experience Meets Innovation(00:07:51) The Emotion vs. Data Dilemma in Lighting Design(00:12:08) Breaking Out of Silos: Collaboration & Creative Freedom(00:14:30) The Impatience Advantage: How New Designers Are Reshaping the Industry(00:21:40) The Instant Gratification Era: Speed, Pressure & Design Quality(00:01:30) Before We Jump In: Sponsor Spotlight(00:34:55) Trust & Education: What Designers Need Most From Clients(00:37:09) What Hasn't Changed: Timeless Principles from Empire State to JP Morgan(00:43:42) Trends, Technology & the Copycat Culture(00:54:48) The Education Imperative: Designers as Translators of Technology(01:07:52) Sustainability: Beyond the Buzzword(01:19:29) Complacency, Capacity & the Path of Least Resistance(01:27:51) What Makes Us Feel Alive: The Beginning, Middle & End(01:34:30) Looking to 2030: Hopes for the Future of Lighting Design

    1h 40m
  4. Luxury Living: Why Most Homes Get Lighting Wrong - Richard Millson

    12/02/2025

    Luxury Living: Why Most Homes Get Lighting Wrong - Richard Millson

    What happens when the people who control your home's technology realize most homes are getting lighting fundamentally wrong? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Richard Millson, a master integrator with nearly 30 years of experience creating seamless smart home experiences for luxury residences. Together, they unpack why most homes — even $30 million estates — fail at lighting design, and how the advent of LED technology has forced integrators to become lighting experts whether they wanted to or not. Richard reveals the uncomfortable truth: most residential projects don't have professional lighting designers involved. The architect, electrician, or builder handles it, not out of malice, but because they genuinely believe "four cans and a fan" is fine. Meanwhile, integrators are left to control whatever shows up on site — fixtures that don't dim properly, don't match in color temperature, or literally leave million-dollar artwork half in shadow. This conversation goes deep into how technology is reshaping the entire lighting industry — from fixtures with built-in intelligence to wireless control systems that let you redesign your lighting after your house is built. Richard shares why his company now specifies fixtures themselves (it's not about the money) and how showing clients what's actually possible with modern lighting creates those "I didn't know my house could look like this" moments. 💡 Key insights: • Why LED changed everything — and made lighting exponentially more complex • How intelligence is moving from wall switches to the fixtures themselves • The difference between selling technology and creating experiences • Why integrators and designers need each other more than ever • How to create intuitive control systems that guests can use without training • The future of residential lighting and where the industry is heading Whether you're a designer wondering why integrators suddenly care about your fixture selections, an integrator trying to navigate the lighting landscape, or a homeowner who's ever wondered "what does this switch do?" — this episode reveals what it really takes to get lighting right in luxury homes. Where Richard works: https://millson.net/ Join the fun - learn more about Lightapalooza (our sponsor) - https://lightapalooza.com/ Listen now to discover why lighting might be the most misunderstood — and most impactful — element in your home. (00:00:00) The Problem: Most Homes Get Lighting Wrong(00:01:27) Richard! (00:03:37) The LED Revolution Changed Everything(00:05:50) From Control to Design: Why Integrators Must Evolve(00:07:40) The Art of Collaboration Without Competition(00:16:07) Educating Clients: The Power of Demonstration(00:23:26) Creating Intuitive User Experiences(00:29:35) The Future: Flexibility and Addressability(00:34:24) Industry Evolution and Consolidation(00:38:01) Lighting as the Gateway to Early Project Involvement

    41 min
  5. What Developers Really Want (Not Lower Prices) - Jamil Lacourt | L&L Holding Company [IMMERSIVE]

    11/11/2025

    What Developers Really Want (Not Lower Prices) - Jamil Lacourt | L&L Holding Company [IMMERSIVE]

    What do billion-dollar developers really think about design — and where does lighting fit in? In this episode, LytePOD host Sam Koerbel sits down with the COO of a luxury real-estate developer in New York City responsible for billions of dollars in projects. Together they unpack the owner’s perspective on budgets, design ambition, and risk — and what happens when lighting becomes the most misunderstood line item on the spreadsheet. This candid, behind-the-scenes conversation reveals how developers make decisions, where designers lose trust, and what it takes to bridge the gap between creativity and construction reality. 💬 Topics covered:• How developers evaluate risk, cost, and design value• Why lighting often gets “value-engineered” — and how to prevent it• The balance between aesthetics and ROI in high-end projects• What guardrails and responsibilities do developers have• How a developer can guarantee success on a project (spoiler alert: belief, conviction, and a team that adapts as the market changes) Where Jamil works: https://www.ll-holding.com/ Where we recorded this: https://terminalwarehouse.nyc/ 🎧 Listen now to learn what truly drives billion-dollar development decisions — and how lighting can become the differentiator, not the casualty. (00:00:00) Setting the Stage: What Developers Value (00:05:15) Jamil's Path: From Construction to COO (00:11:45) Balancing Cost, Time, and Quality (00:19:30) Building A Business Plan For New Development (00:27:15) The Anatomy of a Construction Budget (00:36:00) Managing Consultants and Contractors (00:45:30) Choosing the Right Design Partners (00:54:00) The Lighting Conversation (01:05:40) Q+A, Sam Answers to Jamil's Questions (01:40:30) Reflections and Grattitude

    1h 46m
  6. Luxury Living: Designing Lighting That Sells Itself - Pete Romaniello

    10/21/2025

    Luxury Living: Designing Lighting That Sells Itself - Pete Romaniello

    In this episode of the LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with master lighting designer and educator Pete Romaniello live at Lightapalooza, the premier event for custom home integrators learning to adopt lighting as a new design category. With over 30 years of experience, Pete breaks down the fundamentals of great lighting design — from placement and purpose to ethics and education. He shares why lighting should start with the walls, not the fixtures, and how to create spaces that make people say “My house is beautiful,” not “Look at that fixture.” If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between selling lighting and designing it well, this conversation will change the way you think about every ceiling, wall, and beam of light. Where Pete works: https://www.conceptuallighting.com/ Where we recorded this: https://lightapalooza.com/ (00:00:00) Introduction: The Problem with Bad Lighting(00:01:45) Introduction to Pete (00:06:09) The Hunger for Lighting Knowledge in the AV Industry(00:09:41) Fundamental Principles of Lighting Design(00:22:37) Understanding Construction Limitations(00:26:30) Getting Clients Excited Without a Showroom(00:30:13) Frank Lloyd Wright and Timeless Design Principles(00:32:40) Collaboration Between Lighting Designers and Integrators(00:38:52) Closing Thoughts: Respect and Collaboration

    41 min
  7. Details + Design's Identity Crisis - Dan Weissman, Srushti Totadri

    10/06/2025

    Details + Design's Identity Crisis - Dan Weissman, Srushti Totadri

    Do details still serve design, or have they taken over? In this episode, Dan and Srushti of Lam Partners trace the history of lighting details — from Versailles to tape lights — and reveal how we arrived at today’s identity crisis in design. They cover: Why don’t more products mean better work How culture and politics shape design choices The rise (and overuse) of “non-details” like slots, coves, and planes What today’s market trends say about the future of lighting Straightforward, sharp, and unfiltered — this is a must-listen for anyone rethinking the role of details in modern design.

    1h 6m
  8. Luxury Living: A Designers Playbook for Integrators - Garrett Neal

    09/23/2025

    Luxury Living: A Designers Playbook for Integrators - Garrett Neal

    What makes a space feel truly luxurious? It’s not more fixtures or bigger budgets — it’s intentional lighting design. In this episode of the LytePOD, host Sam sits down with Garrett Neal of NEAL Lighting to unpack why good lighting doesn’t have to be expensive, how to plan with furniture and architecture first, and why integrators should think like designers to deliver better results. You’ll learn: How lighting shapes atmosphere and vibe (like music in a space) Why contrast, shadows, and restraint create luxury experiences The role of a lighting consultant in high-end residential and hospitality projects Practical advice for custom integrators who want to elevate their work If you’re an integrator, architect, or designer who wants to add more value to projects — this conversation is your playbook.

    36 min
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4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Diving into the honest, creative, challenging, and fun human part of how design really happens - all with a little love for light along the way. Featuring creative minds who walk into their own story - from designers to manufacturers, innovators, and professors - unpack their vision, ideas, accomplishments, and habits that make it happen!

Information

  • Creator
    Lytei
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 627647
  • Show Website
    LytePod

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