April 30, 2025

Episode 17: Fixture in Hand: The Focus Lighting Method

1 hour 8 minutes

Why are 90% of lighting designers making a critical mistake by not designing the control systems for their projects?

Tune in as Avi Mor and Lisa Reed speak with Brett Andersen and Kenny Schutz of Focus Lighting. What sets them apart? Their innovative business model combining design with procurement expertise. Both Brett and Kenny trace their paths from theatrical lighting to architectural design, revealing how theater's "ultimate deadline" mentality shaped their approach. Focus Lighting's dedicated lighting lab—a 25' x 25' two-story space with seven line sets—serves as their testing ground, where Brett insists: "Seeing is believing." The episode, sponsored by Lumen Pulse, underscores why lighting designers must control system specification rather than leaving it to engineers who "call their favorite rep."

Later the discussion shifts to procurement challenges and the heavy responsibilities involved. Kenny warns designers considering this path that "your motivation has to be in the right place." Memorable project stories abound. Kenny recalls positioning lights beneath a T-Rex skeleton, while Brett shares how his park design transformed disconnected Dallas neighborhoods into vibrant community spaces. Could lighting design be the most influential but overlooked factor in architectural success? The episode closes with reflections on IALD membership and Brett's deceptively simple advice: pick up a fixture every day. Their parting wisdom? Lighting matters—not just aesthetically, but in how we experience our built environment.

In This Episode:

(00:00) Kenny and Brett's career journeys - from theater backgrounds to architectural lighting design

(13:51) Connecting with students and promoting lighting design to theater program graduates

(17:28) Memorable projects - Kenny's dinosaur exhibit lighting and Brett's transformative park design

(25:06) Lighting's impact on architecture - the power of well-designed lighting to shape experiences

(29:02) The importance of mock-ups and testing - how Focus Lighting's lab accelerates design learning

(34:23) Focus Lighting's project management approach - design implementation and technical expertise

(40:32) Control systems design - the critical importance of lighting designers owning the control specification

(47:47) Supply-side considerations - balancing product specification with responsibility for installation

(56:12) Final advice - having a fixture in hand every day and ensuring the right motivation for design work

(58:03) IALD membership discussion and the future of the lighting design profession

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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]
[email protected]
Focus Lighting
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/
Thank you to our sponsor:
https://www.lumenpulse.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumenpulse/

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By Avraham Mor & Lisa Reed

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