Member of the Month

November 2021

Hervé Descottes, MIES
Lighting Designer and Founder
L’Observatoire International

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
I was very intrigued by mixing RGB (Red, green and blue). When I was 14, I made an installation in my bedroom and played with the shadows — changing from one bulb to another and their effects when switching different bulbs at different times.

Later on, I had an extremely interesting experience in the middle of the woods at night when I lost my source of light. Suddenly my perception became much higher and I could see much more than just what I captured into the beam of my flashlight.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
I got involved with IESNYC very early on when I was curious about the world of lighting around our planet.

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the IESNYC?
Being an active member is being able to share your ideas and vision about the constantly evolving world of lighting, lighting design, the lighting industry and being able to present one's vision on what I love, which is lighting. I am always extremely happy when I can share my passion and hope I can inspire other generations to work in the industry. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
IESNYC’s best assets are their great awards program, events and supporting the community. IESNYC supports new designers by presenting and sharing their projects in a variety of ways. It’s a complete, active, engaged organization that’s in touch with the community and educating them.

Editor’s Note: Hervé Descottes founded L’Observatoire International in 1993 in New York City. He has collaborated with many of the world’s most accomplished architects and has garnered awards from many prestigious organizations including IESNYC Lumen Awards: The Vessel (2020), Longwood Gardens and The Grill at the Seagram Building (2018), Steel Stacks Campus (2017), Haras Strasbourg (2014), Cité du Surf et de L’Ocean and The High Line (2012), which was part of “OHNY@ Night with the IESNYC” series of talks/tours. In 2008, he was named Chevalier (Knight) of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture for his work in lighting design. You can learn more about Herve at in conversation with Cindy Allen at the Interior Design Innovation Conference in 2019.

Photography by Silja Magg