40|PROTAGONISTA What is Light for Luis Lozoya? Light is the tool I use every day to build my professional work. It is a way of expressing myself and at the same time it represents the only part of architecture that is intangible; it is only perceived through our eyes. It is not an object, it cannot be touched. This is the main reason I was attracted to working with lighting, even though I was an architect. You studied architecture at the “Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México” (Autonomous National University of Mexico). What is the ideal relationship between Lighting and Architecture? One of symbiosis. I believe that architecture is an art form that, at the same time, has to fulfill a practical function. At the end, lighting defines spaces, makes them visible, be it day or night, and by making them visible we perceive them, and through perceiving them we enjoy architecture. In my opinion, the alliance between architecture and illumination is fundamental and innate. It is not something that can be added, is inherent to the architectural process. I believe that most architects aspire to achieve the alliance between these two elements; between architecture and the way light impacts in the architectonic work. In my opinion, the role of lighting is becoming predominant because of the need to comply with energy efficiency in the interior of a building and to create healthy living spaces for its users. In 1994, you founded “Estudio Luz+Forma” (Light+Form Study), in Mexico City and you were a pioneer in introducing lighting design as a profession. Have you done much teaching? Has there been more effort to promote the culture of lighting? Well, I think the biggest struggle, at the beginning, was convincing the architects and project developers that the lighting designer was an important component for their buildings. At the time, architects were the ones in charge of every aspect including lighting. In Mexico it was not a specialization as such so, at the beginning, the first thing that had to be done was convince the potential clients that there was a need to consult with someone that had expertise in this field. Subsequently, I have tried, as much as possible, to keep in touch with the “Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México” (UNAM), because it is my Alma matter. I feel I am in debt with this institution for the education they gave me and I have tried, as much as possible, to convey what I have learned. Is this a way of giving back all you have learned to the university? In a way, yes. Luis, are you satisfied with the results of what you have sowed in terms of culture of lighting? Very satisfied. It has been a long process, with its highs and lows; some situations have derived from the conditions of the market and the country I work in. I have learned from the process and I strive to keep learning every day. This has brought an improvement in my professional development as well as in the product of that development. As I was saying to a friend I have been working in projects with for 15 years, our projects are becoming more complex; we strive for more. This comes from the personal development I feel I have achieved. There is an interesting expression that describes what I want to say sometimes: “I would like to be once more, who I was when I wanted to be who I am”. I would like to have that hunger, that yearning, that curiosity. Now, my curiosity is different. Many of the questions I have, lead me to more questions. I would love to go back to the beginning, to that point of origin. At the beginning it was challenging and by working out these doubts, these