Hamrah Ghashghaei is an Award Winning And Independent Architectural Lighting Designer

About

I design light as an integral part of architecture—transforming spaces after dark through precision, hierarchy, atmosphere and human experience.

I am an award-winning Architectural Lighting Designer, CLD, IALD Professional Member and MIES, with 17+ years of experience in architectural lighting design and consultancy across Iran and international markets.

My work spans hospitality, commercial, residential, cultural, heritage, façade, landscape and public-space projects at multiple scales. I collaborate with architects, developers, interior designers, landscape architects and project teams from early design through implementation, covering lighting strategy, concept and visual hierarchy, photometric analysis, luminaire and optical specification, controls, detailing, coordination and site implementation.

What defines my practice is the connection between design thinking and technical depth. With a background in Electrical Engineering and expertise in lighting science, photometry, optics, glare control, controls and international standards, I approach each project as both designer and technical problem-solver. The goal is not simply to illuminate architecture, but to decide what should be revealed, what should remain quiet, how people experience space, and how light can establish a distinct identity after dark.

Continuous learning has always been integral to my professional journey. Alongside practice, I have pursued advanced study, professional education and independent research in light, architecture and technology. This path led to my admission to the PhD program in Architectural Engineering at Penn State University in 2022, with a fully funded Research Assistantship focused on daylighting and integrated lighting and shading controls. I chose professional practice and creating through real projects over an academic career, while keeping research and learning integral to my work.

I also research AI & Lighting, exploring how emerging technologies can advance research, analysis, visualization and design development without replacing the knowledge, judgment and responsibility of the designer.

Beyond architectural projects, I collaborate with lighting manufacturers as a design and product consultant, translating real project needs, application challenges and market gaps into better optics, performance, integration and product solutions.

I am open to selected international projects, design collaborations and lighting consultancy partnerships where light contributes meaningfully to architecture.

Creating Experiences through Light.

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Awards

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

The Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) certification is the first global, evidence-based credential in architectural lighting design. It is awarded to professionals who demonstrate proficiency across seven key domains of lighting design: leadership, collaboration, synthesis, science, human experience, business, and sustainability. This certification recognizes advanced expertise and a commitment to excellence in the lighting design profession.

2017 Winner (ILDC Lighting Design Awards)
Tehran, Iran

2019 Honorable Mentions in Heritage Lighting (LIT Lighting Design Award)
USA

2021 Honorable Mentions in Workplace Lighting (LIT Lighting Design Awards)
USA

Professional member of International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD)
Chicago, USA Since 2016

Main Member of Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
New York, USA Since 2012

Member of Illumination Award Committee (IESNA)

New York, USA Since 2015

[Hamrah Ghashghaei working steps ]

Our Working Process

01

Concept Review

This is where the creative bit comes in. How can we make this look different but still stylish and timeless? Anything new on the market to help achieve this? Then loads of scribbles and sketches and see if it pleases the eye. If so, then its on to the next phase.
02

Full Concept Report

Now we add our light layers to the ID renderings to assist them in selling the concept to the Client. Probably the most difficult phase as we have to get across to the Client how they can expect the end result to look like and many people cannot visualize so it has to be good.
03

Lighting Calculations

Here we prove that our ideas work and if we need to bounce up levels or can reduce levels to save money yet still maintain the atmosphere. If as an Interior designer or architect, you want your ideas checked by professionals to ensure your ideas work then we are pleased to do that as an independent consultant. Gives you peace of mind!
04

Documenting the design

We follow the RIBA stages for our documentation and includes reflected ceiling plans, low-level layouts, control looping, typical details, elevations and sections.
05

On-site technical Support

Arguably, the best part of the job. Does it look like we envisaged? Were the correct lights delivered with the correct specs? Do we need to tweak things because we were not told that a massive bank of Palm trees have been planted or the color of the guest rooms have changed from light to dark? [ouch] There are so many last minute changes wee need to check.