Boutique Design - September 2016 - 96

Lighting designer Brian Orter isn't afraid to get personal. In
fact, it's an essential part of his process. "The art of lighting design is
visually rooted in negative space and the ethereal," he explains. "The
science is part psychology, part physics and a whole lot of trial and
error." Orter suggests that interior designers and architects should seek
lighting designers who will bring an emotional point of view to their
projects. "... Try to ascertain their level of appreciation for the human
condition and nature," he says. "If they don't have that, move on."
The Brooklyn native's appreciation for aesthetics started at a
young age, with a focus on theatrical design at Edward R. Murrow
High School. He later went on to study lighting design at the State
University of New York's Purchase College. While his definition of
drama has changed over his 18-year career, his commitment to spotlighting artistic solutions hasn't. "My firm strives for a thoughtful
narrative, which in a way is still theater, but subtler," he says.
In 2008 Orter launched BOLD (Brian Orter Lighting Design) in New
York, and has since expanded the firm with the opening of a branch
office in Los Angeles last year. With a combined staff of 20, BOLD is
currently working on a roster of hotel, restaurant, office and residential
projects, including the Ace Hotel at the Bowery, The Beekman and The
Hoxton hotels in New York, and the Virgin Hotel in San Francisco.
HOW HAVE LIGHTING TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY EVOLVED OVER
THE PAST DECADE?

I think lighting is just slightly behind the iPhone in terms of constant
upgrades. Sometimes, like the iPhone, it's premature. LEDs, of course,
influenced everything. The most obvious trend I see is a cooling of color.
In the 1980s and 1990s restaurants and hotels were super warm. As LEDs
became more affordable and in some places, like California, a necessity,
the temperatures ticked up a bit toward cooler light. We are getting more
comfortable with 3000 kelvins (K) for example. In Europe a lot of what
we do is in that range. Germany goes even cooler. In the Middle East it's
common to see 3500 K and 4000 K. This is analogous to interior
designers saying they see more whites, creams and lighter finishes.
We often receive requests for all-LED spaces. I'm hesitant to do that
in hospitality. I think there needs to be a balance. For most of our projects we mainly use LED lighting now, but we still use incandescents
where it's critical to provide a more controlled ambience. If you want a
black and white photograph I suggest using black and white film. If
you want an incandescent feeling in a space ... let's use incandescents.
WHAT CHALLENGES DOES LIGHTING DESIGN POSE THAT OTHER

light transit
BOLD owner and president Brian Orter's art-meetsscience approach to lighting design brings guest
and client emotions to center stage.
interVieW BY Christina green

boutiquedesign.com september 2016

The biggest challenge is that we [lighting designers] are terribly
misunderstood. Everyone knows we make or break a project. But few
truly understand the nuance and hours it takes to achieve our work.
Almost everything we do isn't necessary to the structure of the
building. If it weren't for emotions and expectations lighting would
be a safety issue only. The technical challenge is making things sexy
while limiting wattage and meeting codes. But the greater challenge
is guiding our clients through understanding their return on investment, as lighting is expensive. I've often noticed the difference
between a $6 beer and a $12 beer is lighting and linens. 

MICHAEL DIMARTINO

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Boutique Design - September 2016

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