April 02, 2025

Episode 15: Lighting Emotional Currency

1 hour

What makes lighting designers "psychotically passionate" about their work when they're constantly battling value engineering?

In this episode, Avi Mor and Lisa Reed speak with Katherine Stekr, CLD, IALD, MIES, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C, Founder + Principal, STEK Design. Their conversation explores the unique position of lighting designers as visual professionals alongside architects, interior designers, and landscape architects. Katherine shares her journey from architectural engineering student to establishing her own firm, emphasizing how lighting's psychological impact requires designers to expertly translate abstract concepts into tangible experiences for clients.

The discussion delves into industry challenges including procurement complexities, value engineering struggles, and the critical need for stronger professional advocacy. All three lighting professionals debate practical strategies for maintaining design integrity through budget constraints and substitution attempts. The episode culminates with powerful reflections on lighting's profound ability to transform spaces and influence human wellbeing, reinforcing why lighting designers must stand united as essential contributors to the built environment.

In This Episode:

(00:00) Katherine Stekr's journey - from University of Colorado to starting her own design firm after 16+ years in the industry

(08:52) Lighting designers as visual professionals - examining our unique role alongside architects, interior designers, and landscape architects

(12:23) The psychological impact of lighting - discussing how lighting affects human behavior beyond mere aesthetics

(21:20) The procurement challenges - navigating the complex path from specification to installation and advocating for quality, professional advocacy - exploring how IALD and other organizations can better elevate the lighting design profession

(34:44) Design excellence vs. client service - debating whether clients choose lighting designers for their portfolio or service approach

(37:49) Practical strategies for budget control - methods lighting designers use to maintain design integrity during value engineering

(48:23) Standing firm on professional standards - discussing the importance of unified industry positions on submittals and substitutions

(53:26) Payment challenges in the industry - examining "pay when paid" issues and alternative approaches

(56:08) The power of lighting - concluding with reflections on the profound impact lighting has on human experience and wellbeing

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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:

[email protected]

www.stekdesignco.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-stekr-cld-21b40214/

https://www.whelmedpodcast.com/

[email protected]

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/

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By Avraham Mor & Lisa Reed

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