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What happens when light beams collide at high speed? They can transform into matter – possibly explaining how celestial bodies form. This mind-blowing scientific reality perfectly captures the spirit of our conversation with Daan Roosegaarde, the visionary lighting designer who, despite being kicked out of fine art school twice, found his calling in pushing the boundaries of what light can achieve.

In his discussion with Martin Klaasen, Daan weaves through the fascinating parallel between resistance to new ideas and Galileo's revolutionary assertion that Earth orbits the sun – a perspective shift that took humanity 500 years to accept (and we still say "sunrise" despite knowing better). Daan argues that similar perspective transformations are essential in lighting design, where challenging established viewpoints can unlock unprecedented innovation. By bringing together diverse minds at events like Lux Futurum in Shanghai later this year, the lighting community creates space for these paradigm shifts to occur.

The future of lighting extends far beyond illumination. We're merely "scratching the surface" of light's potential to heal, create new dimensions, and allow us to experience the world through entirely different perspectives – imagine seeing through a butterfly's eyes while remaining human. Daan's passion for continued experimentation stems from his conviction that these innovations will fundamentally transform our relationship with our environment and ourselves. As he prepares to take the stage in Shanghai, his message resonates clearly: changing how we perceive light might just change everything else.

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The divide between theory and practice in healthcare design couldn't be more evident than in lighting strategies for medical spaces. Through an illuminating exploration of two contrasting Hong Kong medical facilities, we discover how the same foundational goal—promoting health and wellbeing—manifests in dramatically different design approaches based on context, clientele, and purpose.

Most fascinating is how these case studies challenge our assumptions about "clinical" environments. The first project, Laguna City Medical Center, completely reimagines what a neighbourhood GP clinic can feel like. Located in a windowless basement serving diverse demographics, its designers rejected sterile lighting conventions in favour of bright, joyful spaces with curved elements and simulated daylight. The lighting strategy thoughtfully distinguishes between waiting areas (using indirect, warmer lighting to reduce anxiety) and examination rooms (featuring direct illumination with higher colour temperatures for clinical accuracy). This approach transforms what could have been a drab medical office into a space that actively contributes to healing.

The contrast with Cosmax Cosmetic Centre couldn't be more striking. This high-end aesthetic medical facility in Hong Kong's Central Business District serves an elite clientele seeking discretion and luxury. Rather than brightness, its lighting design employs dramatic shadows, minimal direct illumination, and carefully crafted privacy through light and darkness. Patients move through a choreographed journey from reception to treatment to recovery, with lighting that simultaneously guides and shields them from view—particularly important for celebrity clients who don't want to be recognised post-procedure.

What makes this examination so valuable is its reminder that good design isn't about rigid adherence to standards or benchmarks, but about understanding human needs within specific contexts. Whether creating an affordable neighbourhood clinic that radiates positivity or an exclusive medical sanctuary that prioritises privacy, thoughtful lighting transforms how we experience healthcare spaces. Ready to rethink what your medical environments could feel like? These case studies prove that with empathy and creativity, every healthcare space can be designed to truly support wellbeing.

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A passionate conversation with Andrew Bissel at Light Middle East reveals the growing frustration among lighting professionals fighting for recognition in the built environment. Wearing multiple hats as Ridge and Partners' lighting design head, a dark sky consultant for Red Sea Global, and past president of the Society of Light and Lighting, Andrew delivers a candid assessment of where the industry stands today.

Quote of the day:

“We need this participation of advocates, we need the certification for a business model and we need the legislation from government to drive certain industries, because they won’t drive themselves. But you also need the lighting professional.” — Andrew Bissel

This interview was recorded at Light Middle East in Dubai in 2024. Although it's been a little over a year, the insights and expertise Andrew shares are timeless and incredibly relevant today.

The discussion highlights a painful truth: despite decades of education and advocacy, lighting remains "the forgotten person around the design table." As Andrew bluntly puts it, "Every poor project didn't have a lighting professional." After years of polite education, he suggests the time may have come for lighting experts to more assertively claim their rightful place in the design process.

Perhaps most fascinating is the exploration of how the industry has evolved beyond separating "dark sky specialists" from regular lighting designers. Today's professionals simply practice "responsible design" as standard. The conversation takes a thought-provoking turn when addressing how lighting organisations themselves might inadvertently reinforce industry silos rather than breaking them down. Could integrating lighting professionals throughout built environment events rather than segregating them into dedicated sections be the way forward?

For anyone invested in the future of lighting design, this discussion illuminates both challenges and potential pathways to elevating the profession's recognition across architecture, engineering, planning, and beyond. Join us in exploring how lighting professionals can finally secure their essential place at the design table.

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