What happens when three of New York City's most accomplished lighting designers sit down to talk about the state of their profession, with the Empire State Building and JP Morgan Tower framed in the window behind them?

In this special episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel brings together a powerhouse roundtable of lighting design leaders to unpack the evolution, challenges, and future of architectural lighting. Recorded live in New York City with the iconic skyline as backdrop, this conversation goes deep into what it really means to design light in 2025—and what needs to change. Martin Van Koolbergen (KGM Lighting), Nathalie Faubert (CBB Lighting Desing), Bruce Taylor (Susan Brady Lighting Design)

From nurturing new talent to navigating the relentless pace of modern projects, these designers reveal the uncomfortable truths about an industry caught between artistry and data, emotion and efficiency, tradition and trend. They discuss why lighting design is still treated as a luxury rather than a necessity, how LED technology forced the entire profession to evolve, and why the constant demand for meetings and instant gratification is pushing designers to the edge of burnout.

This isn't just shop talk—it's a candid examination of what's working, what's broken, and what the next generation needs to carry the profession forward. The conversation touches on everything from the tension between photo-realistic renderings and hand sketches, to why trust is the number one thing clients can offer, to the surprising ways technology both helps and hinders great design.

💡 Key topics explored:

• How new talent is reshaping lighting design—and what established firms are learning from them

• The battle between instant gratification and thoughtful design process

• Why lighting designers have become educators whether they wanted to or not

• The difference between sustainability as a mindset versus a checkbox

• How trends emerge, evolve, and eventually fade in architectural lighting

• Why collaboration between firms matters more than protecting trade secrets

• What makes designers feel most alive—and why it spans the beginning, middle, and end of every project

• The hope for 2030: better education, broader access to good lighting, and recognition that lighting design isn't a luxury—it's essential

Whether you're a designer navigating the pressures of modern practice, an architect wondering how lighting consultants really think, or simply someone who's ever wondered why some spaces just feel right—this conversation offers rare insight into a profession that shapes how we experience the built environment every single day.

Listen now to hear what three brilliant minds reveal about the past, present, and future of lighting design—framed by a city that never stops building, never stops evolving, and never stops demanding better light.

❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers’ voices lead. Grateful to build this together.

1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham

2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix

3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX

4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode

5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa

Chapters

00:00:00 The State of Lighting Design: Talent, Technology & Evolution
00:06:30 Bridging Generations: Experience Meets Innovation
00:07:51 The Emotion vs. Data Dilemma in Lighting Design
00:12:08 Breaking Out of Silos: Collaboration & Creative Freedom
00:14:30 The Impatience Advantage: How New Designers Are Reshaping the Industry
00:21:40 The Instant Gratification Era: Speed, Pressure & Design Quality
00:01:30 Before We Jump In: Sponsor Spotlight
00:34:55 Trust & Education: What Designers Need Most From Clients
00:37:09 What Hasn't Changed: Timeless Principles from Empire State to JP Morgan
00:43:42 Trends, Technology & the Copycat Culture
00:54:48 The Education Imperative: Designers as Translators of Technology
01:07:52 Sustainability: Beyond the Buzzword
01:19:29 Complacency, Capacity & the Path of Least Resistance
01:27:51 What Makes Us Feel Alive: The Beginning, Middle & End
01:34:30 Looking to 2030: Hopes for the Future of Lighting Design