Workshop Reviews

Since the 1960s, architectural lighting design has started to become an integral part of the general architectural design of a building or area. The lighting designer's role is to illuminate the locale he or she is contracted to do in such a way that reflects the moods inherent in the place, its history, and its purpose. In doing all of this, the lighting designer faces the difficult task of creating a design that harmonizes with its context – the design should not appear "forced". Perhaps you have seen many buildings that have seen the hand of a professional architectural lighting designer, but did not realise it. This poses something of a dilemma to an association such as the Professional Lighting Designers' Association, one of whose principal goals is to raise the awareness of the lighting design profession.

Workshops organised by the Professional Lighting Designers' Association go some way to remedying this problem, by drawing attention to the work and skills of the lighting designer. At the same time, the workshops offer lighting designers, both experienced and in training, a chance to learn more, gain practical experience and impart their know-how.

Workshops teach the participants the lighting design process and simultaneously show the wide public how urban spaces can be enhanced through good professional lighting design.

The three-week presentation of the workshop results has proved to have a significant impact on the market, and has become an event for professionals from many related disciplines to view and discuss modern, trend-setting lighting concepts. 

The Professional Lighting Designers’ Association, PLDA is an association of international professional lighting designers from around 50 countries around the globe, who have made it their responsibility to define and establish the lighting design profession. The advanced training and education of young designers and architects is especially important. The association has over 600 members worldwide.