Up Close With Glenn Heinmiller

By: SHIRLEY COYLE, LC

It’s best not to make assumptions about Glenn Heinmiller, Partner and Principal at Lam Partners. Glenn’s BA in Theater from Wesleyan University might make one assume theater was his entry point into architectural lighting design, but the path is more nuanced.

“Like a lot of architectural lighting designers,” Glenn said, “you scratch the surface and find an old theater guy (or girl)…I’m one of those. But, it really goes back to my childhood. My dad, trained as an engineer, worked for GE – but in advertising, public relations – so creative endeavors. My mom was an actress and television weather reporter, so that’s the theater part.”

Glenn grew up in a 1952 modernist house his parents built in Schenectady, NY with “very innovative lighting – all kinds of T12 fluorescent valences and homemade fixtures that my dad built, and this GE low voltage control system. I had all that influence, and was interested in technology.

As a pre-teen I would set up light shows for my sister’s parties in the living room – light pulsing to the music. Theater was a way I could apply that interest, so I got into theatrical lighting.”

Moving to Boston after college, Glenn worked as a stagehand and theatrical lighting designer but quickly got involved with laser show production. “It was a crazy industry, doing allnighters, being out of town 100 plus days a year.” Feeling the need for a transition, Glenn started poking around in architectural lighting.

He explained, “It was someplace I could bring my lighting experience and knowledge. I took a continuing ed night class, taught by my now-partner Paul Zaferiou, while still designing

On issues facing the lighting design community, Glenn expressed two concerns. First, the impact of technology speeding up the creative process of design. He elaborated, “For the last ten plus years, technology has allowed us to work very fast. For any creative process, when you compress the time allowed to do the project too tightly, you don’t have the time to go home at night, sleep, get up the next morning and realize ‘Wait a minute, there’s a better way to do this.’ What we’re trying to do internally in our firm is to make the production of documentation work more efficient, so we have more time for the creative process.”

Glenn’s second issue of industry concern: “The industry has always been starved for sufficient research – fundamental and application/practical research. Circadian lighting is an example. People have done incredible research, and we’re finally getting to the point where we have acceptable metrics, but it’s still kind of vague and nobody knows what to do. It should be a valueadded concept that designers can sell, and that manufacturers can sell, with evidence.”

Reflecting on success, Glenn offered two indicators that he finds meaningful, “One is professional recognition from my peers, and knowing that I’m established in this industry and recognized as a competent lighting designer, as well as being involved in building a business.”

He continued, “Twenty-plus years ago, I’d go to Lightfair and sit in a presentation by Naomi Miller, Jim Benya, Randy Burkett, Nancy Clanton or others, and think, ‘Wow, if only I could do that – these are the gods, they are awesome.’ Fifteen years later, I’m doing a presentation at LightFair (not as awesome as theirs). Now I’m a Fellow of IALD, and I get to sit at the table with these people – and they treat me like a peer!”

Glenn’s second indicator of success “is more local – it’s been very satisfying to me, that I get to work surrounded by supertalented, great people. I learn from everybody. Ten years ago, I was more involved in the management of the firm and was the point person for recruiting. We all learned how important it was to find the right people. They are the ones who inspire us today.”

Asked what advice he would offer to those new to the lighting design community, Glenn is firm, saying, “Don’t ever stop learning. You went to school for lighting, got the degree, got the job – that doesn’t mean you know everything. Don’t just do your job and go home. There are so many other things you can do –go to the IALD conference or a local meeting, get involved with the IES. My biggest contribution has been getting involved with the energy codes (LEED rating system, WELL Building Standard) – I learned so much along the way!”

Clearly enjoying pushing the bounds of assumptions when asked what he does for fun, Glenn smiled, “People who know me a bit think of me as a fairly quiet guy, but I am a big fan of NHRA Professional Drag Racing – which is a very red neck, gearhead kind of thing. You’re watching the cars go from standing start to 340 mph in a thousand feet, in under four seconds. In person, it’s a visceral experience, sensory overload.” Look for the unassuming Glenn Heinmiller next April at the four-wide drags at the Charlotte Motor Speedway! ■