September 2016

Nathalie Faubert
Senior Associate
CBBLD 


Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
When I was studying for my bachelor’s degree in interior design at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now known as Philadelphia University), I had to take a mandatory lighting class. I enjoyed the class, but did not think much about it since I didn’t know that there was a lighting design profession. After working for four years in architecture in Haiti (where I am from), I decided to go back to school for my master’s degree. I wanted to study in the para-architectural field, but not architecture. While researching universities, I came upon the lighting program at Parsons. I remembered the lighting class I had taken a few years back and how interesting it was. I attended Parsons and the rest is history … I have been with CBBLD since graduating from Parsons. Now I am also an instructor of Lighting I at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID).

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
While at Parsons, I joined the IESNYC student chapter. After graduating, I did not renew my membership for a few years, but I still attended IESNYC events. I found the events interesting and educational, and it was also a way to meet other professionals in the industry. I became a member in 2009.   

Q: How do you see your role as member of the IESNYC?
Over the years, I have been involved with the Programs and Lumen committees. I am still part of the Lumen committee and happy to give my time to an event that has been organized so well by Megan Carroll and Adrienne Schulman. It is the event that the lighting community looks forward to attending yearly.
Last year, we held our first Moonlighting Exhibition. It’s an event that I wanted to organize for years. After pitching it to the IESNYC and DLFNY, they agreed to sponsor it and it was a success. Moonlighting 2 will be held in September with the support of IESNYC, DLFNY, and this year, IALD NYC. I am hoping that it becomes a yearly event, just like the Lumens since it is so well received by the community. The amount of entries doubled in 2016.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
IESNYC has two assets. One, the material that is available to members and non-members, from educational programs to publications (Handbook, RP, etc.). Two, the members that are part of the New York lighting community, who inspire each other continuously.