Helen Diemer named President of The Lighting Practice

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Helen Diemer, Principal

Helen Diemer has been named president of The Lighting Practice, a lighting design firm headquartered in Philadelphia, with an office in Dallas, Texas, announced Al Borden, founder and principal of the company.  

Started in 1989, The Lighting Practice specializes in sustainable lighting for public spaces, retail, healthcare, hospitality, and education environments.  The firm has created the lighting design for notable Philadelphia projects, including City Hall, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Avenue of the Arts, PECO Crown Lights, and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as national and international assignments.  Currently, Diemer is leading the team responsible for the sustainable lighting design of the U.S. Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C.

Diemer, a Fellow of the International Association of Lighting Designers (FIALD), and a LEED Accredited Professional, has more than 25 years experience designing lighting for public, corporate, retail, healthcare, hospitality and education environments.  She first joined The Lighting Practice in 1994 as an Associate, and has been a Principal of the firm for 13 years, since 1996.  As a result of the change in ownership, the firm will seek certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

“Helen has made significant contributions to our clients, to our company and to our industry,” Borden said.  “I’m extremely proud of her accomplishments.  As we prepare for our 20th anniversary this month, it is especially thrilling for me to realize this company, which began as a personal consulting business, has transitioned into a 15-person firm doing exciting and innovative lighting design for clients around the world,” he said.  “Helen’s leadership is the next chapter in the company’s growth.”

“This is an exciting time to be in the field of lighting design, as we work side-by-side with architects and contractors to create sustainable spaces for projects ranging from iconic public buildings and healthcare facilities to universities and retail centers,” Diemer said.  “Al has created a great place to work, and a terrific team, whom I’m grateful now to have the opportunity to lead.”

In addition to being a Fellow, Diemer is past president and former board member of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).  She is also a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNA), International Dark Sky Association (IDA), Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC), The American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).  She is an associate member of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and business partner of the Delaware Valley Association of Physical Plant Administrators (DVAPPA).

Through her participation in professional association committees, she has contributed to industry publications and standards, including IESNA’s Recommended Practice for Merchandise Lighting.  As a former chair of the IALD’s Energy Committee and a member of the IESNA Energy Management Committee, she was involved in development of the lighting energy requirements of ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, the basis for most state energy codes.

She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree from the Pennsylvania State University and has lectured and authored articles on a variety of lighting design issues.  Several of her projects have been recognized with the International Illumination Design Award’s Award of Merit.

In October, she will be a presenter at the 7th Annual Design on the Delaware Conference & Trade Show in Philadelphia, speaking on the use of LED technology in lighting design.  The program is hosted by the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), along with a consortium of 25 professional organizations.