Page 12 - Designing Ways 264

TRADE WINDS

Interview with Paul Pamboukian

Director of the Pamboukian Light Design studio

aul studied music in Cape Town and 3: Which project or product would you
London and after a brief career as a like to create in the near future?
P musician moved on to the theatre We are always developing new custom Paul Pamboukian
where his first job was on the opera stage luminaires for different purposes, so it’s
as an assistant stage electrician. He worked an ongoing process
his way up the theatre ranks to becoming a of recycling and saves the municipalities
theatre lighting designer and head of lighting 4: What would you like to see in the future fortunes in labour and operating costs.
at the State Theatre in Pretoria. In 1990 he regarding various aspects of recycling
established Paul Pamboukian & Associates, and how countries can work together to 5: What is the main Idea / Inspiration
an independent architectural lighting design achieve set goals on recycling? you would like the audience to glean
studio and since then, the company has In South Africa, municipal recycling from the Italian Design Day and design
completed in excess of 400 projects. initiatives are virtually non-existent. Thank or recycling ideas from them?
Paul is passionate about the performing goodness for the waste pickers who can be The main gist of the morning’s talks
arts and architecture and design. seen on our streets, dragging heavy loads centred around the fact that new initiatives
of bottles, paper and plastics to the nearest in making our planet sustainable and the
1: What is your philosophy on design recycling centers with primitive carts. role that design can have in this, is a very
To always surpass the expectations of These people should be supported by local necessary function of reinventing our life
the Client. municipalities who could provide subsidies styles and thinking out-of-the-box. Issues
and incentives in the form of improved such as homelessness and immigration
2: Where do you find inspiration? equipment such as proper wagons, safety affecting our cities brought to light the
I find inspiration in observing natural jackets, storage pods in each suburb where fact that over-population and exploitation
light – the colours of daylight through the with basic facilities as this informal sector of our planet’s resources needs realistic
daily cycles, shadow, highlight & moonlight. provides a very necessary function in terms solutions. This is design.

Sentle Nell Sentle Nell

Chief Sustainability Officer,

Enel Green Power SA

With a view to translating the solutions
envisaged by designer into everyday life,
a representative of Enel Green Power
will underline the role of the company in
providing South Africa with electricity
and lights from renewable sources, in
the context of the current challenges of
energy transition in the country, that
South African Government is committed
to promote.

12 Issue 264 • dw