March 20, 2025
We recently assisted in the lighting design for the offices of one of our favorite clients, Graphite Design Group located in Seattle, WA.
The design challenge also proved to be the inspiration to work with the existing architecture and columns and we were able to unify the space with a playful irregular arrangement of light fixtures. The final design created the ideal work environment for Graphite’s designers, providing ambient light that would blend seamlessly with the natural daylight illuminating from the large windows surrounding the perimeter of the office space.
March 20, 2025
Oculus Light Studio principal, Archit Jain, recently participated as a panel member for LightShow West 2017 in the discussion of The Do’s and Don’ts of Working with a Commercial Lighting Designer. All topics were covered from
We thought this was such an important discussion to have that we should offer up our own advice on the topic here! It is an important role on a project, being a lighting designer, and neither you as the client, nor us, the lighting consultant, wants the work to fall short of expectations, and as in any relationship, great communication is what makes things work!
So please take a read… and get to know your fellow lighting designer, just a lil’ bit better…
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March 20, 2025
If you’re in the architectural/interior design industry, you may have previously shrugged off the need for a lighting designer and said you could just do it yourself. The question is, do you understand the importance of hiring a lighting designer?
Having a professional lighting designer on your team and having them involved all the way through the design process is important, as you will have better success. A lot of problems can sneak in later down the line in the design phases, especially during Construction. It can be tempting to accept a contractor’s VE suggestions to save on construction costs, only to later regret those decisions when nothing seems to be working right. Getting the right dimming on the LEDs is tough and a lighting designer will have the knowledge to make sure everything is working as requested.
If you live in California, the Title 24 energy codes are more stringent than anywhere else in the country, so you may not be able to use the lighting specifications or quantities of fixtures that you were originally researching. Lighting designers will take time to make sure all specifications and fixtures meet code requirements, no matter where you live.
Now you know! So the next time you start putting together the potential team for your next big architectural project, you’ll make sure to include a lighting designer so that you won’t have to deal with the hassle and pain of an incomplete lighting design.
March 20, 2025
Oculus is excited to announce that our firm has won five prestigious lighting design awards this summer!
St. Louis Aquarium has won a 2021 IES Lumen West Award of Merit as well as an IES Illumination Award of Merit! For this aquarium project located in a historic train station, guests travel from the grand hall, to river exhibits, to the ocean surface and into the depths. The lighting design brings this journey to life, transitioning from warm colors mimicking dappled sunlight over river exhibits, to cool colors at the ocean tanks, where bluer tones evoke the feel of being deep in the ocean.
Amazon Nitro ended up winning the 2021 IALD International Lighting Design Award of Merit as well as IES Illumination Awards of Merit for both interiors and exteriors! Occupying an entire downtown block, this twin tower project features a 40’ tall ceiling over a public walkway cutting through a private development. Inspired by a murmuration, a phenomenon of starlings flying in complicated yet coordinated patterns, the lighting generates an artistic composition of impressive scale. This dark-sky friendly, long-lasting LED lighting scheme is seamlessly integrated into the ceiling and relates directly with the interiors. Inside, architecturally integrated lighting reveals textured finishes and adds distinct, visible elements in all individual spaces. The project celebrates the integration of architecture and light while creating an architectural landmark in the city.
March 20, 2025
Nestled in the basement of a grand, light-filled cathedral, St. Callistus Chapel at Christ Cathedral offers an intimate sanctuary for up to 250 people. It also houses a columbarium, serving as the final resting place for bishops and funerary urns.
The lighting design fosters a serene atmosphere that enhances spiritual reflection and worship, emphasizing sacred elements that evoke reverence and connection. To achieve this ambiance, multiple custom fixtures were designed using standard products from different manufacturers.
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March 6, 2025
About Us: Oculus Light Studio is an award-winning lighting design studio based in the Culver City area of Los Angeles, CA, with a satellite studio in Seattle, WA. We are passionate about great lighting design and how it can enhance the visual environment. We believe in collaborative design and enjoy working on a variety of project types. Oculus offers an engaging, informal, and inclusive work environment, a 9-80 schedule with alternate Fridays off and work-life integration. Other perks include frequent catered lunches and a part-time office dog. Look us up on the web, Instagram, and Linkedin!
The Position: Oculus is offering a paid hybrid (in-person and remote) full-time summer internship open to any student of lighting design, architecture and allied studies (engineering, building science) in our Culver City office. During the course of the internship, the intern will have the opportunity to work directly with professional lighting designers on current lighting design projects and be introduced to a wide variety of lighting design activities, including design, calculations, documentation, client presentations, site visits and coordination, and marketing.
January 27, 2025
We are pleased to announce the promotion of Batuhan (Batu) Tumba to Associate at Oculus Light Studio.
Batu has been with Oculus for 3 years, with a key role in a variety of projects. These have included educational, multi-family, healthcare, office TIs, specialty studios, and studio lots. His expertise in Dialux and Revit has been a huge asset to our team.
Batu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning and Architectural 3D Visualization from Turkey and a Master’s Degree in Architectural Lighting Design from Hochschule Wismar, Germany. When he’s not at work, you can find him enjoying playing the guitar, hiking, or going on road trips.
Join us in congratulating Batu on his well-deserved promotion. We’re excited to see what he’ll continue to achieve at Oculus Light Studio!
October 24, 2024
Last week, the Los Angeles Business Council celebrated its 54th Annual Architectural Awards, and Oculus is thrilled to announce that three of our projects have received awards.
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The Culver Studios
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Ranch Lot Studios
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9000 Wilshire
The Culver Studios was awarded a Community Impact Award. This iconic 100-year-old studio lot features 13 sound stages, offices, and outdoor event spaces, along with a range of amenities. In partnership with Gensler, Oculus provided lighting for the core and shell of five new multi-story digital media buildings, as well as enhancements to the plaza, event space, parking, and other outdoor areas.
Another studio project, currently under construction, also received a Community Impact Award. The Ranch Lot Studios in Burbank is set to be the largest under development in LA County. Our lighting design covers the core and shell of a five-story creative office space, production support offices, 16 sound stages, backlot facilities, and the entire 30-acre site. Oculus is working with Krismar Construction Co. and Worth Real Estate Group to meet LEED Gold standards for this project.
9000 Wilshire won a Workplace Award. In collaboration with Neil M. Denari Architects and HLW, this project is not only LEED Platinum certified but also holds WiredScore Gold and Fitwel certifications. Its striking purple facade—symbolizing a tailored suit—and a beautifully illuminated planting wall create a memorable presence at night, enhancing its identity from the street.
Congratulations to all the teams involved in these projects!
Note from Leslie
August 23, 2024
By Leslie Crapster Pregont
I still remember when I was 5 or 6, going with my Girl Scout Troop to the local theater for a tour. We were invited backstage, and I was given a lighting gel to hold in my hand. The feeling of the crinkly blue square in my hands is forever embedded in my memory. That experience for me was the first step on a lifelong journey navigating my way through performing arts, theater, lighting, and eventually, architectural lighting.
Note from Stephanie
July 3, 2024
By Stephanie Freedman
Stephanie Freedman, Oculus’ Marketing and Business Manager, put in many hours of work with the Lumen West Event Committee organizing this very successful show. We are so proud of her work assisting the local lighting design community.
The annual lighting design gala of Southern California, the Lumen West Awards were a grand success this year. Tickets were completely sold out two months before the event and nearly 100 projects were submitted for consideration. A total of 33 awards were presented, including 24 awards of merit and 7 awards of excellence.
Oculus proudly received an Award of Excellence for the Google Visitor Experience project in Mountain View, CA. By the end of 2023, this project stood as the largest new construction project to achieve the Living Building Challenge’s (LBC) Materials Petal Certification, a significant accomplishment in its own right.
From a personal standpoint, I had the pleasure of serving on the Lumen West committee for the second consecutive year. Drawing from my background in event planning, it was a rewarding experience to contribute to an organization highly valued by colleagues.
June 3, 2024
Located in Century City, HPS’s new law office blends inviting hospitality with modern professionalism. Beyond a lighting strategy that enhances both aesthetics and functionality, the project prioritizes sustainability. At the heart of the design, we made a conscious decision to incorporate a majority of light fixtures manufactured in Southern California. By supporting local manufacturers and artisans, we ensured superior quality and craftsmanship while minimizing the environmental footprint and boosting the local economy.
April 25, 2024
Oculus Light Studio is thrilled to announce that seven of our projects have been nominated for this year’s 2024 Calibre Design Awards.
Still currently in the design phase, and nominated in the Unbuilt/On The Boards category, is the Century City Cultural Pavilion. We look forward to the completion of this project as we envision attending future galas like Calibre in a venue that we contributed in designing!
Nominated in the Work Medium category:
- Universal Music Publishing Group’s lighting scheme designed in collaboration with Gensler, includes a line of light that traces its way through the project uplighting the wood ceilings and dynamic atrium lighting that can be customized for live impromptu performances.
- 9000 Wilshire, a project in collaboration with Neil M. Denari Architects and HLW, has an eye-catching purple facade (a tailored suit was the metaphor), and the beautifully illuminated planting wall draws attention from the street scale, creating a strong identity at night.
March 22, 2024
About Us: Oculus Light Studio is an award-winning lighting design studio based in the Culver City area of Los Angeles, CA, with a satellite studio in Seattle, WA. We are passionate about great lighting design and how it can enhance the visual environment. We believe in collaborative design and enjoy working on a variety of project types. Oculus offers an engaging, informal, and inclusive work environment, a 9-80 schedule with alternate Fridays off and work-life integration. Other perks include frequent catered lunches and a part-time office dog. Look us up on the web, Instagram, and Linkedin!
January 22, 2024
Oculus is proud and excited to announce that two of our coworkers have been selected as 2023 cohorts of lighting design’s global 40 under 40. Congratulations to Sarah Wang, Assoc. IALD, Associate Principal and Joel Weston, Assoc. IALD, Senior Associate.
Both Sarah and Joel are our long-time colleagues, with Sarah soon to celebrate her 10-year anniversary and Joel recently celebrated 8 years.
Oculus, along with Sarah and Joel would like to thank the distinguished panel of judges: Adam de Guara, Andrea Hartranft, Andrew Bissell, Charles Stone, Maneck Tandon, Sakina Dugawalla-Moeller, and Suzan Tillotson.
Thanks also to Light Collective for organizing the competition and FILIX Lighting for sponsoring.
Wishing Sarah and Joel much continued success at Oculus and congratulations to all the winners!
November 29, 2023
Oculus is honored and excited to announce well deserved promotions!
Sarah Wang as our first Associate Principal
Sebastien Payannet to Associate
Stephanie Chou and Leslie Crapster-Pregont to Senior Designer
“When we started Oculus, we knew that developing designers and helping them reach their fullest potential would be critical to the success of the firm. As we increase our reach in our second decade, it has been a rewarding experience to mentor the growth in these individuals and we look forward to seeing their further development as leaders and designers making an impact in our field and in the wider AEC industry.”
– Scott Hatton and Archit Jain, Founding Principals
Note from Yu Jung
August 29, 2023
By Yu Jung Lee
Jumping into my summer internship at Oculus Light Studio was like opening a book I always wanted to read. The experience here bridged the gap between theory and practice for me. I’ve always loved to see how design can impact our everyday lives. After a few lighting courses, I knew I wanted to learn more and my interest grew stronger. Oculus gave me that great opportunity and a lot more.
July 28, 2023
This summer Oculus’ Archit Jain and Leslie Crapster-Pregont volunteered at SoCalNOMA’s Project Pipeline Summer Camp where they worked with kids aged 10-18. The camp is designed to help spark interest in the architectural field to underrepresented communities here in Southern California, so they may consider pursuing careers in the field.
The lighting module for the camp included lighting guides, a mini-lighting expo with 8 lighting product representatives with custom-designed spec sheets, and a lighting demo room which included daylighting, color, and beam spread demonstrations.
July 13, 2023
The Oculus team would like to introduce the newest addition to the team at our Seattle studio, Lydia Michael. Lydia recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s of Science in Building Science, where she developed an appreciation for all aspects of the built environment.
Lydia discovered the artistic application of lighting through her digital illustration work, where she experimented with how lighting could change the tone and mood of scenes. The combination of these interests motivated Lydia to pursue Lighting Design, and join the Oculus team. After falling in love with the unique balance of nature and city that the Pacific Northwest offers, Oculus’ Seattle Studio seemed the perfect fit for Lydia.
June 27, 2023
The 2023 Lumen West Awards were held at The Novo at LA Live in Downtown Los Angeles on June 24, 2023. This year we celebrated 50 years of The Illumination Awards with a record-breaking number of awards!
Oculus is proud to have won two Awards of Merit for Interior Lighting Design, including Confidential Technology Company with ShubinDonaldson and CSULA Student Services Building where we collaborated with ZGF.
