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DETAILS HIGHLIGHTS


Projects that you would like to change: I’ve been reminded several times lately that on large projects-designed 4-5 years ago and just now going into construction-that if I had it to do over, I’d use fewer fluorescent and metal halide sources and more LEDs.


Projects you admire:


One of my favorite buildings is Steven Holl’s Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University, a tiny gem of a building where daylight and colour combine in a low- tech but sophisticated way to create a palpable spirit within. I remember my visit after it opened. The priest there was so excited, he was literally dancing.


Projects you dislike:


I dislike buildings where colour is used gratuitously, for the sake of exploiting a technology. If it’s used, it must tell a story the viewer understands. The ‘wow’ of colour changing light gets old fast, particularly if it’s a permanent installation.


Lighting Hero:


I’ve never liked the word ‘hero’ because I think it puts a person on an unrealistic pedestal and implies something near perfection. That said, I am grateful to many mentors in my career, the first of whom was Jules Horton. I’m not sure I could list all the things he taught me, but respect for your colleagues-the importance of the team and following your curiosity-were near the top.


Notable projects:


Left and Above The ACT Theatre in Seattle, Washington, Candela produced the interior lighting design during the renovation of the historic building.


that balances energy reduction with quality installations,” Fong says.


Another IALD initiative that she supports is developing an international standard for a professional credential. She observes confusion about the difference in the existing identifiers in the lighting profession such as IALD, LC, IES, NCQLP and several others. “Establishing this credential would provide clarity for those who provide professional lighting design services and those who provide other services within the lighting industry. Eventually,” she hopes, “large purchasers of design services such as the GSA (the U.S. government’s General Services Administration) will require that a credentialed lighting designer be part of its projects’ design teams.


Fong cites three major on-going challenges: personal, as a lighting design professional, and as a firm leader. “On a personal level, balancing the needs of my family with the needs of my company has always been a challenge. Most companies don’t relate to a sick child, or dinner that needs to be on the table, or homework that needs supervision. Our clients have deadlines they expect us to meet. Fortunately I have a very under- stating husband who has done more than his fair share in raising our children.” The speed of change that has enveloped the lighting industry is another challenge.


“I wish I could dedicate a block of time everyday just to learning about the newest advances in the industry,” she admits. “I’m in the position of having to be aware of our firm’s activities from the 30,000-foot- view as well as being immersed in some of the everyday minutia of getting a project designed and built,” Fong says. ”I’m a stockholder in Sparling, a corporation with a Board of Directors, a different responsibility from a sole proprietorship or a small part- nership. While I have a lot of autonomy, I can’t act unilaterally. I’m fortunate that all stockholders are also employees of the firm, so the emphasis on working for the good of the team underpins everything we do.” Her lighting team she describes as really terrific designers on whom she depends dai- ly to deliver the high-quality design that has been the firm’s image since its founding. “Like many professional service businesses in the last few years, Sparling and Candela have dealt with providing excellent service to our clients with constant pressure to reduce fees, keep up with new tools to de- liver our work, train our staff, and attract top talent. I’d like to say that we’ve solved those problems. but it’s an ongoing process. I tell myself it’s good to have challenges. Otherwise, what fun would it be to come to work?” www.candela.com


• Ladder Creek Falls, Newhalem Washington. How often in your career do you have the opportunity to light a historic waterfall? The colour here is not gratuitous but relates to the original 1928 lighting scheme when electric light was still considered a new invention.


• Border Crossings, Blaine, Washington and San Ysidro, California. Technically challenging, as the managing agency stressed providing excellent visibility on many different levels. For the San Ysidro project, it’s a Design Excellence project with a net-zero energy goal.


• Uniqlo Flagship, Shanghai. Like all retail the design expectations are high, time is short and everything has to come together at the last possible second. This had the added challenge of being a half-a-world away.


• Pacific Science Center, IMAX addition. Seattle, Washington. The Imax pavilion is an orb that is partially contained in a glass box that ‘floats’ in a neon ‘moat’ The detail is continuous inside and outside the building. It’s held up well over time.


Most memorable project:


My children. If you knew them, the answer would be obvious. Of course, you are really asking about my professional career and I don’t know how to answer that because it’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. I’ve loved most projects even though they sometimes drove me crazy…just like my real children!


Current projects:


Boeing 737 Studio, Everett Washington; Microsoft Office Building Renovation, Redmond, Washington; Amazon Office Building, Seattle, Washington; Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Bed Building, Santa Clara, California; University Village, Seattle, Washington; Tiger Trails at Safari Park, Escondido, California.


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