faces of the future - Illuminating Engineering Society

FUTURE LEADERS
LISA KRAMER
H.E. BANKS +
ASSOCIATES
SAN FRANCISCO
CAREER CAPSULE
• LC; LEED AP
• Intern, Fisher Marantz
Stone; lighting designer,
Auerbach Glasow French
and Flack & Kurtz
• Key projects: Apple
conference room
renovation, Cupertino, CA;
Four Seasons residence,
San Francisco; Shooting
Star Clubhouse,
Jackson Hole, WY; the
Hilton Hawiian Village Alii
Tower Suites Remodel
Art and science—to Lisa Kramer
these are the yin and yang of
lighting design. “Throughout
my life I have always had a great interest
in both the arts and sciences,”
she says. “Lighting design is one of the
few fields of study that combines these
two interests.” Kramer first discovered
lighting design while studying architectural
engineering at Penn State. “I
knew this was just what I was looking
for,” says Kramer, “and I have been
working in the lighting design field
ever since I graduated.”
Seven years later, Kramer has designed
lighting for an impressive roster
of clients, including Apple, Hilton, Williams
Sonoma and Pottery Barn. Along
the way, she has risen through the ranks
to become a senior lighting designer and
project manager at h.e. banks + associates.
With the thoughtfulness of a Taoist
philosopher, Kramer seeks to align
the art and science of light in her work.
“I love the combination of the technical
knowledge and creativity required
to achieve aesthetic and sustainability
goals,” says Kramer. “A great balance
between these two areas is required to
achieve a successful lighting design.”
Kramer has also learned to juggle
designing with the business aspects
of lighting design, such as client interaction,
proposals, scheduling and
budgeting. “I enjoy the opportunity to
handle a mix of both project management
and design responsibilities.”
A FEW KIND WORDS: “Lisa’s dedication
to advancing the lighting field is
enviable,” says Jody Pritchard, principal,
h.e. banks + associates. “Somehow
she carves out the time to participate in
public discussions like the new Title 24
legislation—something we all know we
should be a part of, but just don’t make a
priority in our busy lives. She also is constantly
seeking out classes, events and
speakers that help broaden her knowledge
about everything lighting related.
Her efforts not only benefit her own career,
but the rest of ours as well.”
DOWN THE ROAD: The future looks
green for Kramer, who plans to learn
more about sustainable design through
LEED AP continuing education courses
and put that knowledge to practical use
by “working on more LEED projects
or projects that have sustainability as
a major design element. I also hope to
bring higher sustainable design goals to
our residential projects and to continue
diversifying my responsibilities and increase
the client base of our firm, while
working towards IALD professional
membership.”
Elizabeth Hall
‘I really enjoy working on projects in which the client is looking for creative
solutions. I recently completed a residence in San Francisco where we
integrated numerous custom design details to conceal standard linear
fluorescent and LED sources’
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