Graham Festenstein    Lighting Design

Graham Festenstein  

 

Graham started his practice in 2001 building a wide ranging portfolio of work in all aspects of lighting design and contributing to numerous award winning projects in the UK Ireland and the Middle East.

After studying Performance Arts at Middlesex University he starting his career as a lighting designer for theatre, concerts and events. He worked in London and across the UK as well as touring extensively in North America and Australia.

Prior to setting up his own practice he spent several year  as an associate for a London Lighting Design Consultancy, during which time he was responsible for projects ranging from major new museums through to urban regeneration schemes. Several of Graham's projects won nationally recognised awards, including the 'Community Lighting Category of the Lighting Design Awards', the 'Gulbenkien Museum of the Year' and Civic Trust Awards.

As well as his design consultancy Graham is actively involved professionally, regularly contributing to professional publications, seminars, workshops and conferences. He lectures for the, Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) Exterior Lighting Diploma on lighting strategies and masterplans, conservation and environmental lighting and has contributed to technical publications for both the ILP and CIE. Graham held the position of VP Architectual / Chair of the ILP's Architectural Committee for the best part of a decade. For a number of years he was a registered STEM ambassador promoting science, technology and engineering in schools and to young people.

In 2015 Graham founded and curated the LewesLight Festival which originally inspired by the UNESCO International Year of Light continued as an annual event drawing many thousands of visitors to the town until 2019. The free festival worked with artists and designers and collaborated with community groups, schools, colleges and universities to create illuminated installations in and around the East Sussex town of Lewes inspired by the town and its location within the South Downs Dark Skies Reserve.