Virtual Lighting Design Community

About Virtual Lighting Design Community

Where is lighting headed next? Every fortnight, the four founders of the Virtual Lighting Design Community pick the stories shaping the world of light and argue about what they really mean. Ingmar Klaasen (The Integrator), Martin Klaasen (The Strategist), Katia Kolovea (The Communicator) and Amardeep M. Dugar (The Scientist) come at every story from a different angle: the science, the business, the client and the bigger picture. Expect honest disagreement more often than polite consensus. From time to time, a special guest joins the table. Each episode draws on The Pulse, VLDC's weekly feed of lighting and AI news. That means new research, new technology, and the claims the industry makes about health, sustainability and artificial intelligence, tested against what actually matters to the people who design, specify and make light. Along the way you'll hear what's happening across the community: the events worth knowing about, the members worth meeting, and where the conversation goes next. For lighting designers, architects, interior designers, consultants, manufacturers, researchers, educators and students, and anyone curious about light. Light Headed is made by the VLD Community, the free global community for everyone who works with light. Join free at vld.community. Inform. Innovate. Inspire.

Publisher

VLD Community

Category

arts · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jun 2023

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

78 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   A new VLDC, and three stories we couldn't agree on

   Is CRI telling us what we actually see? Should AI be refereeing product substitutions? And can lighting really help people living with dementia? In the very first episode of Light Headed, the four founders of the Virtual Lighting Design Community take on three stories from The Pulse, and don't agree on any of them. Ingmar Klaasen (The Integrator), Martin Klaasen (The Strategist), Katia Kolovea (The Communicator) and Amardeep M. Dugar (The Scientist) join from Perth, Athens and Chennai. THE NEW VLDC We start with the platform itself. VLDC has been reorganised: a simpler layout, a Knowledge Library sorted by topic, a member directory you can search by role, expertise, region and availability, an events space covering the whole industry rather than just our own calendar, and a new monthly Member Spotlight. Amardeep explains why one shared events calendar matters in an industry this fragmented, and why the last six years were really the beta test. STORY 1: IS CRI TELLING US WHAT WE ACTUALLY SEE? A paper in Optical Materials argues that shifting a red peak from 620 to 630 nm drops CRI from 86 to 69, yet the light looks better. Amardeep makes the scientific case for moving beyond CRI to IES TM-30. Martin trusts his eye first and reaches for the science second. Katia asks the question underneath both: how do you explain any of this to a client? STORY 2: CAN AI JUDGE PRODUCT SUBSTITUTIONS? Paul Rodenbush argues AI belongs in the substitution process as a neutral comparison layer. Martin wants AI that explains its reasoning so designers learn from it. Amardeep points out that AI can find the closest product, but only the designer knows why the beam angle has to be two degrees. Katia worries about a generation learning to design with their judgement already outsourced. STORY 3: SMART LIGHTING AND DEMENTIA Penn State has won US$3.6 million to test, over five years with 300 residents in ten nursing homes, whether tunable lighting genuinely helps people living with dementia. Amardeep on the gap between what the market claims and what the evidence supports. Martin on why lighting designers are not doctors, and Katia on the fact that we prescribe anyway. We don't settle any of it. That's the point. Tell us where you stand and we'll pick it up next time. READ THE STORIES Is CRI telling us what we actually see? https://members.vld.community/c/world-news/is-cri-telling-us-what-we-actually-see (https://members.vld.community/c/world-news/is-cri-telling-us-what-we-actually-see) Can AI help project teams judge product substitutions? https://members.vld.community/c/ai-news/can-ai-help-project-teams-judge-product-substitutions (https://members.vld.community/c/ai-news/can-ai-help-project-teams-judge-product-substitutions) Smart lighting trial aims to help people with dementia https://members.vld.community/c/world-news/smart-lighting-trial-aims-to-help-people-with-dementia (https://members.vld.community/c/world-news/smart-lighting-trial-aims-to-help-people-with-dementia) MENTIONED Lux Futurum Forum 2026, Shenzhen · IES TM-30 · Colour Quality Scale (CQS) · Inside Lighting · US Lighting Trends · The Lighting Police JOIN FREE VLDC is the free global community for everyone who designs, specifies, makes and works with light. Join at members.vld.community Light Headed is free thanks to our Advanced Supporters: Signify, ERCO, WAC Lighting, Casambi, LEDS C4, Aero Light, Photizo and Lighting Recipe Studio. New episode every fortnight. Inform. Innovate. Inspire.

2. 

   23 Jul 2026

   Sahil Tanveer at Lux Futurum 2025 Shanghai: The AI Revolution and the Human-Machine Partnership

   The future of architecture is here, and it’s illuminated by the light of collaboration between humans and machines. Sahil Tanveer, speaking at the 2025 Lux Futurum Event in Shanghai, unveils the groundbreaking Photon Pavilion, an innovative space where AI and architecture coalesce to redefine our relationship with light and darkness. Sure to entice your curiousity about the fusion of technology and our built environment. In a world often polarised by the extremes of artificial intelligence—either as a saviour or a destroyer—Sahil offers a third perspective: that of a thought partner. He shares his visionary approach to creating the Photon Pavilion, a living structure that not only adapts to its environment but also interacts with its inhabitants. You’ll discover how AI agents embedded within the architecture respond to human needs, enhancing well-being and cultural experiences in real-time. Sahil breaks down the key elements of this project, including: - The concept of AI light agents that dynamically alter the pavilion’s ambience based on the emotional and physical states of its visitors. - The innovative applications developed to monitor and guide users’ light exposure, ensuring a harmonious balance between natural and artificial light. - The integration of cultural elements that allow the pavilion to light up for festivals autonomously, fostering community engagement and celebration. Why does this matter? As urban spaces grow increasingly saturated with artificial light, understanding how to create environments that respect circadian rhythms and promote health is crucial. Sahil’s vision for the Photon Pavilion serves as a prototype for cities worldwide, advocating for a Dark Sky Charter and redefining our approach to energy ethics. This episode is a great listen for anyone interested in the future of design and the ethical implications of technology.

3. 

   14 Jul 2025

   The Hidden Pillars of Successful Lighting Design Businesses | with Paul Nulty

   Send us a text What does it really take to run a successful lighting design business? Beyond the creative brilliance and technical expertise lies a complex web of business skills that many designers never anticipate when launching their own practice. --- Re-release of a presentation from our 'Business of Lighting Design' series from the first season on the VLD Community platform. To watch this presentation visit members.vld.community and head to the 'Season One - The Business of Lightin...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

81

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.