BSLA Fieldbook BSLA 2015 Spring Fieldbook | Page 68

BSLA

/ MEMBER

LUKAS J. STURM, ASLA
FROM LANDSCAPE TO LIGHTING

A

fter receiving a degree in Landscape
Architecture from the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, I was incredibly
fortunate to work at some noteworthy
firms in the New York and Boston
markets. Then the path I was on
took an unexpected turn, and
landed me in a specialty I
knew little about.

I was three years out of
school, working in Boston,
and had just completed
a landscape project I was
very proud of. Except for one
thing: the lighting. I realized that
I understood very little about and had not been
involved in the design of the lighting, and it did
nothing to enhance the overall project. It didn’t
integrate with the landscape or further the
design concept, leaving the project feeling less
than it could have been. I realized that my own
landscape architecture education had taught very
little about lighting, its transformative qualities,
and the ways to integrate it into the landscape
design. This absence of lighting knowledge
seemed to permeate the landscape architecture
profession: lighting was often an afterthought in
the design process; it was rarely used to further
the concept. Lighting design was often given to
sales representatives to implement, ensuring
little continuity between landscape and lighting
designs. I decided that to continue as a Landscape
Architect, I wanted first to understand lighting
better, to ensure that my work felt cohesive. I

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left my job as a Landscape Architect
and began what was supposed to be a
1-year hiatus at a lighting design firm
to pursue a better understanding of
lighting and its use in the landscape.
The plan was that after completing
this year, I would be equipped with a
better understanding of the discipline of
lighting and be able to apply these skills
as a practicing Landscape Architect.
Instead, just as I am passionate about the
kinetic nature of landscapes, I became
fascinated by the art and science of light,
so much so that I never ended up leaving
the lighting profession. Ultimately, I
have found immense fulfillment in the
ability to integrate these two design
disciplines and in getting to work with
some of the most talented designers.
Over the last 15 years, I have worked as
a lighting designer in the Boston area.
In 2012, I fulfilled a long-time dream
and cofounded Lumen Studio, Inc., an
architectural lighting design firm. Our
studio works on civic, institutional,
commercial, and residential projects,
both interior and exterior. I have
had the honor of having my work
recognized locally, as the recipient
of the Boston Society of Architects,
Harleston Parker Medal for the Boston
Public Library Courtyard (2003) and
internationally, as the recipient of the
Illuminating Engineering Society of