by Paris Mahmoudzadeh, PhD, Architectural Lighting Designer, Leo A Daly
My path into lighting was not a straight line. I came from an architectural background, so lighting was always part of the conversation, but it was not initially my focus. Looking back, though, I think light had been quietly influencing my interests for much longer. I have always been drawn to it. My grandfather used to joke that I must have had some secret solar cells somewhere because I seemed to come alive whenever I was in daylight. That early appreciation for light eventually grew into a deeper curiosity about how it shapes our experiences, comfort, and well-being.
That curiosity developed further during my master’s in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design. While exploring topics for my thesis, I became interested in building automation and began researching how giving people control over lighting in their work environment influences performance and satisfaction. Without realizing it at the time, that project became my gateway into the professional world of lighting.
After my master’s, I started a Ph.D. focused on lighting at Eindhoven University of Technology. It was an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into lighting research and confirmed that I wanted to build my career around understanding how people experience light. Life eventually took me in a different direction, and I moved to the United States, where I began a new Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering with a focus on lighting at Penn State. There, my research centered on lighting efficiency and human brightness perception, leading to several peer-reviewed publications, with additional work from my Ph.D. still in the publication process.
At the same time, I became increasingly curious about the practice of lighting design. Research was exciting, but I wanted to see how those ideas translated into real projects and better understand the challenges designers face every day. That curiosity led me to a lighting design internship with HGA, where I experienced the profession from a completely different perspective.
For a while, I felt as though I had to choose between research and design. Eventually, I realized that I did not. Research taught me how to ask better questions and uncover answers through evidence, while design gave me the opportunity to apply those ideas in environments that people actually experience every day. That realization ultimately led me to my current role as an architectural lighting designer at Leo A Daly. Even now, I continue to follow developments in lighting research and look for ways to bring relevant findings into my day-to-day design work. I believe some of the most meaningful progress in our profession happens when research informs practice and practice, in turn, inspires new research.
One of the things I appreciate most about the lighting community is how generous people are with their time and knowledge. As I was navigating my path into the lighting profession, I had the chance to connect with professionals from around the world through conferences, conversations, and later through platforms like LinkedIn. Some of those connections came from reaching out with questions, and others grew naturally through shared interests in lighting. Those conversations helped shape my career and inspired me to give back in my own way.
I enjoy staying connected to the broader lighting and academic community, whether through guest lectures, sharing my research and professional experiences, participating in local lighting chapters and groups, or simply talking with someone who is curious about lighting. I am also happy to help friends and family with their lighting questions and, like many lighting professionals, cannot help but notice good and bad lighting everywhere I go.
“If there is one piece of advice I would give to someone entering the profession, it is this: do not be afraid to explore different paths. You do not always know what you will love until you experience it. Stay curious, ask questions, and do not hesitate to reach out to people. The lighting community is full of people who are generous with their knowledge, especially when they see genuine curiosity and eagerness to learn. Looking back, I am grateful that I never had to choose between being curious about research and passionate about design. Both continue to shape the way I approach lighting, and I hope to keep building bridges between them throughout my career.”
Paris Mahmoudzadeh, PhD
The older I get, the more I value encouraging younger professionals to find their passion, understanding that passion can evolve over time. I care deeply about helping people listen to themselves, trust their instincts, and have the courage to pursue the life and work they truly want.
Publications: The effect of center and surround luminance, visual angle, edge blur, and contrast polarity on overall brightness perception,” is now published online in Building and Environment!
This study investigates how variations in large combined stimuli—consisting of a central shape and its surrounding area—affect overall brightness perception, with potential implications for architectural lighting design.
