Brian Orter on The Press

Building LA

I've always been fascinated by the transformative power of lighting in architecture. Lighting can change the mood and feel of a space, yet it's often an under-appreciated element in design. Today, I'm joined by Brian Orter, a renowned lighting designer and the founder of Brian Orter Lighting Design (BOLD). Brian shares his passion for storytelling through lighting and his perspective on converting the historic Los Angeles Times printing press into a modern office space called The Press.

In our conversation, we explore Brian’s unique approach to lighting design that celebrates the history of the space while creating an atmosphere of discovery, personality, and emotion. Whether a project is an office, restaurant, or nightclub, Brian's "imperfect perfection" philosophy aims to evoke unexpected beauty with an environment that encourages memories and romance.

We also discuss Brian's unconventional introduction to the industry, leadership philosophy, team dynamics, and BOLD's bi-coastal presence in New York and Los Angeles. We touch on BOLD's origins and mission to nurture lighting design careers while fostering a respectful and collaborative studio environment.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• Brian's early introduction to lighting through high school theater
• The shift from theater and nightclub lighting to founding a multi-disciplinary company
• Brian's emphasis on storytelling and collaboration
• Distinctions in design approaches between New York and LA
• Natural lighting in LA neighborhoods like Venice and Santa Monica
• The history behind The Press, a creative office space
• Applying hospitality principles to diverse projects
• Designing spaces that cultivate meaningful connections, emotions, and romance
• Brian's successful and unsuccessful interactions with architects
• BOLD's enthusiasm for the future of LA

Resources Mentioned:

• Check out EYRC maintains industrial detail for office campus built in a former LA Times facility

Guest Info:

• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
• Learn more about BOLD on www.boldllc.com

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