j
j
j
j
j
j
j
j
Light
Light and shadow, often taken for granted, profoundly influence our everyday lives. Light not only affects our moods and health but affects the way we perceive the physical environment about us. It can help to shape our opinions and even guide us both literally and emotionally. From a practical point of view light enables us to complete tasks successfully and safely. From an aesthetic point of view light can enhance and articulate space. Both natural and electric light combined with shadow and colour can be manipulated to compliment the environment we live and work in. Properly considered lighting makes us feel more comfortable, more relaxed, safer, it can make our surroundings appear more attractive. It can help us understand what is going on around us. It can make us more productive, improve our health and well being, save energy and reduce pollution. Lighting is an expressive tool capable of great emotional intensity, it is also capable of great subtlety and sensitivity. Good lighting isn't and shouldn't always be apparent, like good drama or art it should draw you in subconsciously working seamlessly towards a wider approach to the design of a space.
Practice
Graham Festenstein Lighting Design is an independent lighting consultancy with wide ranging experience delivering high quality schemes from simple public art schemes, through to large-scale multi-million pound architectural projects and the preparation of Lighting Strategies / masterplans for urban centres. Design work is tackled to balance aesthetic design with practicality, along with consideration for environmental issues and sustainability. Visual design flair is coupled with sound technical knowledge to produce well considered schemes that will provide many years of service.
As a small client focussed practice we are able to undertake projects of any size or type with flexibility, reliability and an ability to respond quickly to the needs of the project - be it a small residential scheme or a large urban regeneration project. We believe that lighting is an integral part of any design and will work with other design team members to ensure lighting is properly integrated and enhances the
project to its maximum potential. Trials are used extensively with most of our projects, to develop designs and try out techniques. We like to see first hand how our designs will work, and this also enables us to demonstrate key principles or elements of a scheme to a client. Calculations alone are rarely used. Trials provide us with an opportunity for experimentation - this allows us to remain innovative and creative. All projects are undertaken with sensitivity and care Graham Festenstein Lighting Design has extensive experience with listed buildings, ancient monuments and the lighting of conservation items - making us an ideal practice to work on heritage and
museum schemes. As a practice we are committed to the creative use of lighting as a means to enhance the urban environment. Well-considered and integrated lighting increases the use of our public spaces by night; increases the perception of public safety;
shows our architecture and cultural heritage as it should be seen and adds visual drama and excitement.
Graham Festenstein Lighting Design is an independent consultancy and as such are not linked in any way to particular manufacturers, suppliers or contractors. Design work is focussed on the needs of the project and the client. The most appropriate products are specified from the widest range of manufacturers and suppliers. This gives the freedom to ensure the best, most Innovative and exciting lighting can be attained on any project for the budget available. As well as a full design service we can provide technical consultancy for designers or artists to help to transform concepts into finished work .
As a practice we are committed to professional development and the promotion of best practice. We are actively involved in promoting the profession of lighting design and in education.
Based in Lewes East Sussex near Brighton we are a short journey from London we are excellently located to serice projects in the capital and any location in the UK or Europe.
Services & Fee Structure
Our scope of our work is dependant on the requirements of individual schemes, however we are able to provide a wide range of services from feasibility studies through to a full detailed design service and the focussing and programming of luminaires and equipment on site on completion of the installation.
With particular expertise in the fields of control systems and a cross-over of experience from the entertainment and professional audio /audio visual industries we are particularly well placed to work on integrated systems from high-tech residential applications to interactive museum exhibits.
As well as permanent architectural schemes we are also able to provide a design service for temporary exhibitions and events.
Typically for most projects a fee would be charged which would be calculated dependant on the project and the scope of work. This scope of works and the fee would be agreed in writing, in advance between Graham Festenstein Lighting Design Ltd and the client. In some circumstances an hourly or daily rate is more appropriate for a given project, than a fixed fee. Again the scope of works and specific rate would be agreed in advance with the client.
As an independent consultancy we do not supply products and abide by the code of ethics published by the Professional Lighting Designers Association. The practice carries professional indemnity insurance.
Sustainability & The Environment
Graham Festenstein Lighting Design is committed to best practice with regard to the potential impact of our work on the environment, both in terms of the way we conduct our business and in terms of the impact of our design work. Our work practices are constantly under review with regard to ways in which we can improve our standards with respect to environmental impact and sustainability.
We believe sustainable design is more than just a reduction in energy use but is a more complex combination of issues, particularly when applied to work within the public realm. High quality lighting designed for people can contribute to sustainable communities; encouraging people to live work and spend their leisure time in our town and city centres thus reducing car use and carbon emissions. An increased perception in public safety from improved lighting reclaims our streets in residential areas again creating closer more sustainable communities. Good lighting has been shown to boost the night time economy - another component to sustainable local communities.
Control of energy use is important and we actively promote the use of energy efficient technologies, lamp sources and controls.
Best practice is also employed with regard to light pollution, sky glow and the impact of lighting on wildlife.
Graham Festenstein - Biography
Graham
studied Performance Arts at Middlesex Polytechnic before starting his
career lighting designer for theatre, concerts and events.
He worked in London and across the UK as well as touring extensively in
North
America and Australia.
Graham then worked for as a senior designer for a major London Lighting
Design Consultancy where he gained experience in a wide variety of
work, from new build, through to public art works and heritage
buildings. He was the project lighting designer for six millennium
projects ranging from major new museums through to urban regeneration
schemes. During this time he worked with lead consultants such as
Wilkinson Ayre Architects; MaCormac, Jamieson and Prichard; and
Foster and Partners. In the summer of 2001 he left
the consultancy to start his own practice as an independent lighting
designer.
As well as his design consultancy Graham is actively involved with his
professional association and regularly contributes to professional
journals seminars workshops and conferences. He is currently working
with the PLDA / ILE on the Campaign Lighting
for Social Identity - promoting better lighting for public
spaces asociated with social
housing and has recently been appointed to lecture on Lighting
Strategies for the
Institution of Lighting Engineers (ILE) Exterior Lighting Diploma. In
2008 he worked for the PLDA as Technical Coordinator
for the PLDA
lighting workshops held in Liverpool.
Graham is a Professional Member of
both the Professional Lighting Designers
Association (PLDA) and the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD)
Links
Professional Lighting Designers Association
Institution of Lighting Engineers