46|PROTAGONISTA lighting viewpoint; we strive to make the architectural work stand out. What is your most recent project? We are building a corporate building in Mexico City. It is classified, it will be registered as Platinum Leed. It has a technical difficulty because, in the building, there is an area created by architect Caspe,that is a classified work so it cannot be touched. We have to treat it with upmost respect when dealing with it. The new building that is being constructed in that same area, by architect Teodoro Gonzaléz de León, is a tower with a daring design because it leans towards the void 50 meters. It sits on the ground as an inverted pyramid and to illuminate it, complying with the demanded LEED certification, and at the same time, enhance the architecture of very pure, very clear shapes is challenging. Obviously, this compels us to play with both sides, as I do, so the space has functionality and at the same time respects the aesthetics of the architectural work. Tells us about a lighting project that you have not done but would like to do. I do not know. Fortunately, we have done from mausoleums to airports, I really could not say...there is so much to do. You have worked in Mexico, Japan, United States of America, Dominican Republic, etc. Do you conceive lighting as different from country to country? Of course, lighting is similar to culture, it is an integral part of culture, then obviously, culture permeates lighting. Standards for every region are different. In Asia, for example, I have found that people associate higher levels of lighting with opulence. Thus, densely populated spaces, are highly illuminated. Moreover, there is a tendency to mix in the capability of buildings to communicate through lighting which is exploited to the maximum. Buildings become screens, they change colors. Europe is much more moderate for various reasons. Socially, it is a more regulated society; it also is much more regulated in energy consumption. Buildings seem to be more sensible, more conservative. Nonetheless, there are many examples that work contrary to this parameter; but they are the exception to the rule. European cities are more conservative, more moderate in their use of lighting. Fortunately, many of them have architectonic historic monuments that are very relevant and there is great interest in making them predominant elements of the city. Thus, the lighting of public buildings is one of the elements we enjoy very much. In North America, energy efficiency is the paradigm in every project. Economic efficiency and energy efficiency in the development of projects are the most important values. In most cases, aesthetic values are being pushed into the background due to the need to fulfill the former two values. There are excellent projects were they manage to work out the technical part without neglecting the aesthetic part. Nonetheless, there is great restrictions in terms of energy consumption due to the existing economic situation. Fortunately, it seems that very important limitations are changing in terms of how much budget there is for any given lighting project. Energy efficiency is not incompatible with aesthetics. The key is in the partnership formed by the architect and the lighting designer. If this combination works, the result will be good. In your opinion, is there a culture of light in Mexico today? Yes, of course. It is a culture that is vibrant and on the increase; there is great interest in lighting. All the events that are happening every year are creating interest in lighting and many artists are using light as medium. And there is the city. I live in Mexico City, for example, but cities in general around the country have benefited from public lighting, in the streets, buildings and monuments, which have become more livable, secure and enjoyable spaces. People are truly interested in turning their cities, neighborhoods, streets and ultimately their houses in spaces that are more comfortable, beautiful and secure. Therefore, the citizen is interested in lighting. Citizens now go to expositions, showrooms, they enjoy buildings. Moreover, it is undeniable