Barbara Horton
Horton Lees Brogden
Lighting – both daylight and supplemental light play a pivotal role in architecture. HLB’s approach is a holistic one that integrates the aesthetic and technical aspects of each project and carefully plays with the form, function and finishes…
What is the role of your service or specialty in the development of today’s leading architectural ideas?
Lighting – both daylight and supplemental light play a pivotal role in architecture. HLB’s approach is a holistic one that integrates the aesthetic and technical aspects of each project and carefully plays with the form, function and finishes to reveal the architecture.
We provide a comprehensive scope of services conceptual to implementation: including daylighting, sustainable design, lighting controls.
What are the latest innovative developments that you are working on?
Each and every project allows our designers some aspect of innovation. We proactively design with energy conservation in mind, utillzing proven technologies when appropriate into our projects. Typically our design innovation comes out of a specific need for the project. Challenges such as designing a new building with zero-net energy for a land port of entry requiring vasts amount of lighting for security are the exciting projects that demand our most creative design sense and knowledge base to provide a solution for the client.
How can consultants and collaboraitve firms push the boundaries of what is possible in advancing innovative design and architecture?
Critical thinking is needed during the early stages of a project. The most effective solutions for us is when we have been part of the building site location, orientation and massing. This is most important when fully utilizing daylighting opportunities combined with supplemental light and controllability.
Explain how your expertise was used in and contributed to the success of a particular project?
Every project benefits from the expertise of a lighting consultant. The very nature of our business is unique and demands success for people to function and enjoy their work place, or areas for entertainment, or their place for relaxation. Even with the advanced technology at our disposal, we are thrilled when we solve a problem with a simple, low cost solution that adds value to a project. One that comes to mind was using reflective elements on the roadway of a drive area for a rural corporate park instead of expensive bollards to line the driveway. Adjacent uplights in trees served to light the long distance view artfully while the vehicle headlights flashed across the roadway reflectors to mark the drive. It was a great success and virtually no cost or maintenance.