Interview with Raquel Gutiérrez
-Well, the first question: Your birth years and where you were born.
Raquel: Madrid 27/11/1990
Nacho: Madrid 22/03/1990
-Raquel, what did you study (and also Nacho), and in your case, why? Why did you decide to study what you did…? What attracted you?
Architecture; we met while studying at CEU. Raquel: later, I transferred to ETSAM and spent a year in Milan, where I could specialize further at the Design School of the Politecnico di Milano. Meanwhile, Nacho went to Taiwan to complete his education.
I have always been attracted to lighting (Raquel). My grandparents were involved in the distribution of lamps in the 90s, and I had always liked it. It’s anecdotal, but when I started my degree, I studied some renowned architects (Peter Zumthor, David Chipperfield) who worked with light, particularly a brand I was passionate about: Viabizzuno. It was then, in my first year of college, that I began working part-time (in the summer and afternoons) on the assembly line of a lighting company. From there, I became an intern during my college years, which I always balanced until my return from Milan, at which point I dedicated myself to full-time work while also completing my final project.
-And now: when and especially why did you create Polight?
After working in the sector for 12 years, we decided it was time to put our experience and perspective at the disposal of all the architectural studios and end clients who wanted to appreciate a change in conventional architectural design. As the years go by, we have realized the importance and complexity of lighting at both professional and personal levels.
-You have revolutionized (as mentioned in the brief press release about Polight) the lighting industry… why? How?
It may be a bit ambitious, but the fact that we launched ourselves as architects into such a specialized sector may have generated a lot of interest. Additionally, we are present in many types of circles, as we work on everything from housing projects to universities, museums, retail, etc., which makes it easier for us to be recognized more quickly.
-Art, architecture, and energy efficiency… How do these three areas merge?
The fusion of art, architecture, and energy efficiency is a fundamental aspect of our company. First, art and architecture are essential elements in lighting design, as they influence the aesthetics and functionality of spaces. We strive to integrate artistic and architectural elements into our lighting projects to create unique and captivating visual experiences.
On the other hand, energy efficiency is a key component in all our designs. We are committed to using lighting technologies and products that minimize energy consumption and reduce environmental impact. This involves the careful selection of efficient light sources, the use of intelligent control systems, and the integration of sustainable solutions in our projects.
In summary, we merge these three areas by integrating art and architecture into our lighting designs while committing to maximize energy efficiency in all our solutions. This combination allows us to create visually impactful, functionally efficient, and environmentally friendly spaces.
-Tell me a bit about some of your high-end lighting projects: of course, your intervention at Arco and others…
Among the public projects that will be unveiled in the coming months, we can mention that we are working for a retail brand that has trusted us; it is one of the firms under the LVMH group. We are also working on the lighting project for the new university belonging to the HM Hospitals group alongside Camilo José Cela or another of the UFV campuses. We have many private residential projects both in Spain and abroad that we have yet to publish.
-For you, what is light? What does it mean to you?
Light, as I explain when I teach students who are starting to become interested in this discipline (ETSAM and CEU San Pablo), is a building material that must be considered a fundamental element when making a project. It is another ingredient.
-Energy, efficiency… the best thing would be to take advantage of natural light… How do you achieve and seek that energy efficiency in your projects?
In our projects, we aim to maximize energy efficiency using various approaches, and integrating natural light is a fundamental part of our strategy. We recognize the value and benefits of natural light, not only in terms of energy savings but also regarding the quality of lighting and the well-being of the occupants.
-And regarding the aspect of art: how do you ensure that a light (a ‘simple’ luminaire) becomes an artistic element?
In our approach, art and lighting go hand in hand, and we constantly seek ways to merge functionality with aesthetics to transform a simple luminaire into a work of art. To achieve this, we adopt several approaches, from the creative design of the selected luminaire to the materials that comprise it.
When projecting, it is crucial to consider the technology of the fixture. For example, LED lighting allows a wide range of color and control options, enabling the creation of dynamic and surprising lighting effects that add an artistic touch to spaces.
-Of the projects you have completed, tell me about one in particular that has made you especially excited (due to its complexity, magnitude, detail, atmosphere, etc.).
The most exciting project we have been able to develop was our own offices. We radically transformed the space into a light workshop/laboratory. Being something personal, it was equally challenging and thrilling to achieve all the lighting effects we had in mind.
Light is intangible at many times, and making it visible and accessible to all audiences was and still is a challenge. Every day we change the studio, adapting to the needs and requirements we have in mind for each project.-And, a project you are currently working on (or in the future) that can be discussed, of course.
Right now, we are working on the lighting for boats. This wasn’t on our radar, but when we received the commission for the first one, it posed a challenge. We had never done it before, and it was fascinating to see how a relatively small space transforms with light. Lighting it differently than how it is typically conceived (with light points in the ceiling) was a challenge that will come to light in the coming months.