We are thrilled to announce our latest firm promotions, continuing our commitment to growth and leadership within Lam Partners. Read all about our talented designers below, and learn a few interesting facts, too!
CHRIS HOYMAN, MIES
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Chris comes from a technically based education in Architectural and Illuminating Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University. His solid engineering foundation is tempered with an understanding of aesthetics and architectural design.
1. When did you know lighting design was for you?
First year of college, through some introductory courses and an Architecture professor who became a mentor of mine.
2. What are three words you’d use to describe Lam Partners?
Collaborative, Educational, Dedicated
3. What would you be doing for a career if you weren’t in lighting design?
I’d be a chef – food is my other love.
4. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Charleston, SC – they have a wonderful bar and restaurant scene, and a great food culture.
5. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I really like plants, flowers especially.
AMBER HEPNER, LC, ASSOCIATE IALD, LEED AP BD+C
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Amber studied architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology, where she earned both a Bachelor and Master of Architecture degree. As an emerging designer, she wandered into lighting design at Lam Partners, and was instantly intrigued.
1. When did you know lighting design was for you?
For me I didn’t know what lighting design was until I came to Lam. I was trained in architecture, wandered into Lam, and thought wow this is cool! So, it was after I started working here that I started to understand how integral lighting is to the architectural design process, and how much lighting matters to people and the spaces we live in.
2. What are three words you’d use to describe Lam Partners?
Energetic, Clever, Collaborative
3. What would you be doing for a career if you weren’t in lighting design?
Dog Ranch or Park Ranger
4. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Too many great places to count!
5. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I really like ice cream!
CATHERINE LESKOWAT, ASSOC. IALD, ASSOC. IIDA, LEED AP ID+C
ASSOCIATE
Catherine believes in designing for humans, and finding the beautifully simple solution to a design challenge. Every day is a chance to collaborate with other creative minds and leverage an understanding of light and human factors to create healthy built environments that bring delight to users.
1. When did you know lighting design was for you?
I picked up a coffee-table book of a lighting designer’s portfolio at the library when I was 16 or 17 and saw a spread showing 4 different lighting scenes in the same space. I already loved photography and architecture, and lighting makes both of those successful without drawing attention to itself.
2. What are three words you’d use to describe Lam Partners?
Approachable, collaborative, nerdy.
3. What would you be doing for a career if you weren’t in lighting design?
I would be a mechanic, maybe an airplane mechanic like my little brother. Or a therapist. (Don’t think too hard about it, lighting is practically the center of a venn diagram between the two of those: hands-on problem solving and hyper-engaged communication.)
4. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Basque Country – because my host loved their home country like a religion! Which I believe might not be uncommon for Basques, and isn’t so surprising when you experience it yourself!
5. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I really wanted to be a yard guy when I grew up, really just the leaf blower. I also am really into trance lately, I’m going to an Above&Beyond concert in Prague in October!
PENN WHITLOW
PROJECT DESIGNER
Penn is enthusiastic about uniting light, creative design, and technical engineering to arrive at exceptional architectural formgiving. He received a Master’s Degree in Architectural Engineering from Penn State, and has a special interest in the role that lighting design plays in energy saving techniques within buildings.
1. When did you know lighting design was for you?
As soon as I started looking at architecture through the lens of lighting design, I realized just how important quality lighting is and how often it is misunderstood. It’s the most essential but least tangible part of built environments, and determines how we perceive and experience the world. Once it dawned on me that lighting is a formgiver for everything, not just architecture, I knew this was a field that I wanted to explore.
2. What are three words you’d use to describe Lam Partners?
Passionate, encouraging, & eclectic
3. What would you be doing for a career if you weren’t in lighting design?
I’d be a potter. Or a ski lift operator. Likely both.
4. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Akureyri, Iceland because the landscape looks like the moon and beer flows like wine.
5. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I’m the proud new owner of a very old surfboard and spent the summer attempting to tame the waves of the North Atlantic, with varying degrees of success.
