1. You are originally from Brazil, living in Ireland for around 3 years now. What has been your experience so far?
Since I landed in Ireland about 3 years ago, my impressions of the country and the people couldn’t be better. Everyone was always very welcoming and willing to help. Thanks to that, it didn’t take long for me to feel part of the community and to adapt to a different culture. Although there are so many differences between both countries, nowadays I can find lots of things we have in common like people being friendly, empathetic, hard-working, and always with a smile on their face. I feel like choosing Ireland was the best decision I could have made.
2. You studied a Degree in Architecture before completing a Master’s in Architectural Lighting Design and Sustainability. What interested you most about moving into lighting design specifically?
Using creativity to build spaces for people was what attracted me most to architecture and, the more I learned about lighting design, the more I realised how the use of light is a very powerful tool for that. You must keep open to think outside the box and allow for your imagination to flow, and this is something I enjoy. Lighting massively influences how the architecture is perceived and experienced so using the correct techniques and the right products is very important. However, we can’t forget that the industry is constantly evolving and being curious and always willing to learn are, I believe, so important.
3. In the past you must have worked on some interesting projects. Which ones stand out for you and why?
A recent project that stands out is 10 Hanover Quay in Dublin’s Docklands. In this design, the initial challenge was for us to show the client how our design was going to be a statement for their 12-storey office building, so our design team went deep into advanced rendering tools to show this. The client said yes to all we proposed, which was great! We supplied a variety of lighting fixtures, from wall recessed linear LED profiles to the latest types of projectors, all to enhance the interior and building facade and to make a unique atmosphere for people inside and outside the building. The final result was fantastic! There were so many projects that I’m proud of, but this is my favourite one.
4. When creating a lighting design for a project, what for you are the most important elements?
I believe there are many aspects to have in mind when creating a lighting design for a project. Achieving the required light levels is fundamental of course, but we can’t disassociate the fact that people will occupy the spaces we create and there is a need for lighting designers to think in a human-centric way. There have been several studies conducted showing how light effects the human circadian rhythm, which is associated with productivity, health, and wellbeing. To design spaces that are human-centric, we must understand the relationship between natural light and artificial light. To be effective in achieving this, artificial light must change in colour and intensity throughout the day, to mirror natural light. In this context, choosing the most suitable luminaire is not the only consideration, lighting designs also need to incorporate an intelligent lighting control system.
5. What advice would you give to someone starting out in their lighting career?
Never stop exploring the universe of lighting, it is wide, complex and extremely exciting. As technology is intrinsically linked to it, it’s important to understand that this is and will always be an ongoing process. I believe, if you want to start a career in lighting, you must be thirsty for improving your knowledge and open to change. I think you also must have the end-user in mind and think about how you can improve their lives and make their world a better place to live. Being committed to this, regardless of whether your current project is large or small, is most important.
If you would like to discuss your next lighting project, call us on +353 (0)1 455 9472 or email info@modula.ie.