LIGHTING FOR LIVING: INTERVIEW WITH LEADING LIGHTING CONSULTANT NOHA MOHSEN

As you step inside the Zamalek space inhabited by Enlighten, your eyes are drawn to intimate niches and corners that tempt to you explore further. The wealth of subtle details, artwork, colors and textures stimulates your senses as you venture inside.

“But what about the lighting”, you might ask? Yes, the light is present, as winter sunlight gently bathing the spacious roof terrace with its morning rays. It is also present in the striking dark sculptural glass lamp that fascinates with its almost primordial design. But the lighting is something felt, rather than seen, with disparate elements used to accent the imposing architectural details of the lofty-ceilinged showroom cum workspace.

Noha Mohsen fits easily into this setting. Exuding a relaxed, vivacious self-assurance and an effortlessly understated chic, she is welcoming and charismatic, truly in command of her domain. As we chat, her knowledge and insights come shining through.

Noha, how would you define your approach when starting a project?

NM: At Enlighten we have come up with what we call the “Enlighten formula”, which is a mix between architectural lighting and influential lighting, which is commonly known as decorative lighting. The architectural lighting gives the space a soul. The understanding of a space needing a soul is something that people hadn’t previously thought about. The influential lighting embodies the essence of the character of the space. Our formula combines both, with the ratio depending on a couple of factors. It depends on the function and designated purpose of the project, and also on what the designer has done. We avoid making the architectural lighting the star. You have to apply your creativity and experience to every project. We are with our clients every step of the way, throughout the design inception and any changes, until they step into the finished project. This is our ethos. Lighting does change the way you live, and when you walk into your home, business or office you should feel that it was designed and customized for you.

What you want to achieve is a space that when a person walks in, they should feel at ease and want to spend more time in. Good lighting should make an impression and evoke an emotional response. If I have done my job correctly, what catches your eye should be the influential lighting rather than the architectural lighting. You should walk into a space and see the painting and the beautiful flooring. By using light you can make a low ceiling appear higher, or appear the increase the length of a room by drawing the eye to a certain point; you can even extend the impression of daylight outside.

How has lighting evolved in recent years?

It has evolved in terms of the available options and the technicalities. Although at first the color wasn’t great, LED has now become the norm for lighting. The innovation of the product has changed the industry to the extent that whereas it was previously something handled by architects and interior designers, it has now become a field of its own. This is now becoming widely accepted. Ten years ago a client might have asked what you could do for them beyond simply placing a spotlight or two on the ceiling. I believe we have helped Egyptians change their perception of lighting; there has been a major evolution in people’s understanding of its importance.

Has lighting become a priority in any build now?

In the past it was a factor left to the end of a project. Money was put into a decorative item, like a status symbol chandelier, or two. Now it is realized that lighting doesn’t just start from the decorative element. There needs to be a balance between architectural lighting and decorative lighting. A big part of my job is to create lighting that showcases the structural and design features created by the architect and interior designer. But again, when you have too much light in a space you get a ‘flat’ feel, without the nuances of light and shade. The placement and type of lighting needs to be taken into consideration very early in the planning stage, even though you need to be flexible as design plans change or develop.

Of course, lighting needs vary according to the designated use of any space. Residential lighting differs tremendously from the requirements for commercial, corporate, retail and entertainment spaces. In the past, people were less interested in the lighting for their offices. There has been a huge change as the world has become more concerned with corporate image and corporate culture, as well as a more scientific approach to workplace lighting. Productivity is directly impacted by the type, placement and strength of lighting in any office. It can be function related according to each room, although generally shared areas like corridors should have uniform lighting. There is a misconception that less interior lighting is needed during the hours of daylight. That is counter-intuitive, as in reality, you actually need to increase interior light source to match the level of external light to balance it.

Residential lighting needs to have a totally different approach, as you must create spaces that serve multiple and varied activities and states of relaxation. Lighting also has to be task related, whether you are reading a menu in a restaurant, or in your dressing room at home. You must feel comfortable with the amount and positioning of the light source.

Why is it so important to figure lighting into any design budget?

It is so integral to the overall outcome of a project, even though this may not be apparent until the end of the build. It doesn’t mean you are adding costs by having the services of a lighting professional. In the past people thought they could manage to do their own interior design, then they came to the realization that it was better to use an experienced interior designer. It is now the same with lighting. Actually, even architects and designers can overestimate the amount of lighting required, so a lighting consultant can use a budget more efficiently and to greater effect.

Is lighting influenced by passing trends?

I don’t follow trends from a design viewpoint a lot, because when you think about lighting, especially architectural lighting, this is not something you are going to change in a few years. You must, of course have an ‘eye’ and taste. Primarily, you must be able to express the client’s taste and the vision of the architect and interior designer, while applying the science of lighting throughout. With the experience of working with leading designers both in Egypt and for projects abroad I have developed a good understand and working rapport that allows us to coordinate to achieve the best result.

How can people improve their lighting choices?

There is a rule the noted lighting designer Mario Nanni about the presence of light and the absence of the light fitting. You should see light, but not the source. There should be no glare, and rather than drawing attention to the light fixture, you should be drawn to the effect, or the item it is lighting. He says it is crucial to only use lighting where necessary, not to over light, taking influential elements into consideration as well.

You also should mix up the heights and sources of different lighting features, and make sure they are well distributed. This is a more modern approach than having a central chandelier, or using several chandeliers, sconces and table lamps. With cove lighting, you need to ensure that light comes down into the space, and overall, you need to minimize the types of fittings used.

Dimmers are extremely important, they allow you to meet the changing needs of the day. As it darkens, a little goes a long way. It is also interesting to note that studies have shown that women tend to increase the level of lighting when returning home at the end of the day, while men prefer to settle down and relax in dimmer surroundings.

When purchasing lighting, people may be worried about outlaying more for LED. They need to look at the long term savings that come through lowered bulb replacement requirements, and greatly reduced energy consumption.

On a more personal level, what do you love most about your work?

I love being creative with the creativity of the diversely talented architects and designers that I am privileged to work with. I love that I am being continuously challenged. And I love that we have created a new understanding of lighting design in Egypt.

Noha Mohsen
Leading Lighting Consultant