Architectural Lighting and Design Worldwide


Lighting to reveal scope, space and form, using the best technology to achieve a functional, creative and environmental result. An enlightening discussion with Herve Descottes, an Architectural Lighting Designer and Principal of L'Observatoire International, Inc.







Guests

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Hervé Descottes, Architectural Lighting Designer and Principal
L’Observatoire International, Inc.


In 1993, Hervé Descottes established the lighting design and consulting firm L’Observatoire International in New York City after eight years of design practice in Paris, France. Personally creating the lighting concepts for all projects designed by L’Observatoire International, Descottes oversees project development through project completion.

The design team at L’Observatoire International works at the architectural, urban and landscape scale, investigating how lighting can best be employed to reveal scope, space and form, and using the best technology to achieve a functional, creative, and environmental result.

The team is composed of an international array of professional lighting designers, architects, interior designers, visual artists and graphic designers. Under the direction of Mr. Descottes, the team works worldwide on a variety of public and private projects, including museums, cityscapes, landscapes, commercial spaces, hotels, restaurants and residential houses, with architects, e.g., Steven Holl, Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Jean Nouvel, firms, e.g., Arquitectonica, and artists, e.g., James Turrell, Jenny Holzer, Marc Couturier and Vito Acconci.



Awards

2009: Commendable Achievement, Exterior Lighting from Architectural Lighting Magazine’s Sixth Annual Light and Architecture Design Awards for Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in New York City.

2008: Principal Hervé Descottes was named Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture.

2008: Yellow Pencil Award from the British Design and Art Direction (D & AD) in the environmental/installation design category for the Pink Project, New Orleans.

2008: Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for Theory World Headquarters and Retail Flagship in New York City.

2007: Award of Excellence from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for the Buffalo Bayou Promenade in Houston, Texas.

2006: General Design Award of Honor from the America Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for Columbus Circle in New York City.

2003: Award for Collaborative Achievement in Design from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
2003: Award for Excellence in Design from the Art Commission of New York City for the exterior lighting of the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City in New York City.


Bibliography

Ultimate Lighting Design: Projects by Hervé Descottes/ L’Observatoire International teNeues, 2005


Exhibitions

Design Life Now, National Design Triennial 2006
Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, Dec 2006 – July 2007


Mr. Hervé Descottes may be reached at info@lobsintl.com