Luciforma is an architectural lighting design studio based in New York City.
About the Studio
Luciforma is an independent architectural lighting design studio based in New York City and Milan. The studio was founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife design team James Conathan and Valeria Mirarchi.
The name Luciforma is the union of the words Luci (meaning “Light”) and Forma (meaning “Form”) recognizing light’s ability to define form and dictate one’s entire visual perception of space.
James and Valeria, grew to appreciate the indissoluble relationship between light and space during their educations and experience in architecture and visual arts. This led them to pursue further studies in lighting design in Stockholm, Sweden where they met in 2009. After years of experience at high profile lighting design firms in Milan and New York City, they established Luciforma based on their shared comprehensive and holistic approach to light and architecture.
Our Design Philosophy
Light is an intangible medium capable of visually elevating any experience.
We believe that lighting can tell the story of a project. Through in-depth research and analysis of the site, coupled with consistent collaboration with the design team, we create a comprehensive narrative that unifies the entire project.
Our goal is to elevate an architectural project to achieve the highest quality of design. Our designs thoughtfully emphasize architectural elements, materials, textures, and finishes, with meticulous attention to detail. The result is a lighting approach that is not only respectful of the architectural concept, but also meaningful to those who will experience it for years to come.
The Value of a Lighting Designer
What value can a lighting designer add to my project?
Lighting can be the difference between adequate and unforgettable. Precious materials, beautiful furniture, and other feature elements cannot be fully appreciated if the lighting is not perfect.
Although lighting plays such a critical role in the success of a project, it is often overlooked or improperly executed. We will be involved with your team’s coordination process every step of the way, from conceptualization through completion and beyond, to ensure a smooth and thoughtful implementation that is true to the design intent.
Luciforma is an independent lighting design studio - what does that mean?
As independent lighting designers, we select light fixtures because they are right for your project. We are not incentivized by lighting manufacturers, suppliers or anyone else to select a specific brand or product.
We continuously research, test, and compare lighting products and apply this extensive knowledge to every one of our designs. The interests of our clients and collaborators come first and we will always recommend and design for what is best for your project.
Why would I hire a lighting designer when a lighting brand or agency has offered to do the design for free?
A single lighting manufacturer does not typically carry all the typologies of luminaires to meet the needs of any given project.
Although a manufacturer or agency may offer high quality fixtures, they are ultimately incentivized to sell their products which may result in getting a lot more than you actually need.
It is our job as independent designers to select lighting products from as many sources as needed to fulfill the design requirements of the project. We compare pricing and evaluate the performance of all specified products to guarantee the highest value and best quality for your budget.
