Meet Our Member

The IESNYC spotlights a member each month whose volunteerism, perspective or personal story helps advance our goals, piques our curiosity, and makes the IESNYC become a more vibrant and diverse lighting community. We value their expertise and thank them for volunteering their time and energy for the betterment of the section and NYC Lighting Community. #the_iesnycmom

February 2024

Martin van Koolbergen, AIA, IALD
Partner
KGM Architectural Lighting

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
I was working at an architecture firm in NYC during the late 1990s designing both churches and Payless Shoe Sources (one of which was better at paying bills). An opportunity arose at the end of 1999 that found me uprooting and moving to Los Angeles. Fully recognizing the limits of my architectural design skills, and understanding that I hated flashing details, I started looking at what other design industries inspired me. Designing furniture was one choice, but I knew that would be a hard path, so I started looking at what it meant to be a lighting designer.

In liturgical architecture, spaces are defined by light – creating serenity and intimacy in a private chapel, or mesmerizing visitors in the most voluminous of naves. I knew that lighting design was something worth pursuing, plus a steady paycheck was better than the alternative! On the only trip I made to LA before moving, I was given the name of Joe Kaplan. He had a 15-person firm and recently had designed both the spectacular Bellagio Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. The connection was instant, and I was hired on the spot.

From day one I realized this would be a different career. I went from designing churches to developing the lighting for 40,000 sqft homes and mixed-use projects in Tokyo. I learned during this time that it really is up to the individual to craft their passion within the industry. The path I chose leans toward the high-end hospitality and sports entertainment sectors. (Who knew?) And it has allowed me to travel the world, see some spaces that would never be accessible otherwise, and provide designs for projects in dozens of countries and all over the United States. I would have never thought 24 years ago that I would go from designing shoe stores to collaborating on various NFL stadiums and high-profile projects, all while becoming a multi–award-winning partner at the same firm that gave me my initial chance.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
My first involvement with the IES was in Los Angeles, since that’s where the first 12 years of my career were spent. The IES sponsored a lighting class back in the day that allowed me to “fill in the gaps” in my lighting knowledge that I wasn’t able to learn doing production work as a designer. When I moved to NYC, my involvement with the IESNYC grew when our fledgling branch of KGM won our first Lumen Award, and then a few years later I was given the opportunity to become a judge for the same program. Judging the work of peers in the industry was difficult and rewarding at the same time – you can see the passion in each entry. That said, the amount of work that the IESNYC puts into the yearly judging is to be commended!

Q: How do you see your role as “member of the month” of the IESNYC?
I see my role as a mentor to those who are starting to learn about the profession. Attending various events and bringing that knowledge back to the office, promoting the innumerable educational materials that the IES offers, and sponsoring events are all ways to be an effective member. There has certainly been a blending of the science of technology with the artistic development of lighting in the years I’ve been in the profession. Through the IESNYC, we get to strengthen ourselves and each other by continuing that dialogue.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
The IESNYC works hard to include everyone in the dialogue, from students just starting on their path to those who are ready to hang up their photometer. There is also no shortage of activities available for those interested, ranging from fun talks and tours of recent projects to more factual topics that deep dive into a specific aspect of the business.

The connections that the IESNYC has with its affiliates are terrific. We do better as a team, and the IESNYC gives us all the opportunity to be just that!