The Lighting Practice is thrilled to announce that Associate Rochelle Spahn has been named to the inaugural 40under40 North America Class of 2018. The program identifies the most talented and promising individuals working in the lighting design industry in North America.
Rochelle Spahn, MIES, Associate IALD, is a force within our organization and the lighting community at large. As an Associate with The Lighting Practice, she actively seeks opportunities for growth to educate herself and others, increasing her value to our team and clients. Rochelle’s attention to detail as a designer is evident in her project work with Target Streeterville, State Farm Atlanta Hub, and Philadelphia’s East Market. Her confidence and dependability are the qualities that catapulted her from Designer to Project Manager to Associate within three years.
“I’m elated and humbled,” Rochelle said when asked how she felt about the recognition. “I am proud to join the ranks of 40under40 North America’s Class of 2018!”
This year marks the inaugural year for Lighting magazine’s 40under40 North America awards. The program selected 19 men and 21 women from 31 practices who are “…raising the bar on the creativity and quality of projects across the world.” The lighting designers recognized by 40under40 are North American representatives of a new generation taking lighting design forward in the 21st century.
“We received an overwhelming response from the profession,” said Ray Molony, chairman of the 40under40 North America selection panel. “We had over 120 young professionals from across the USA, Canada and Mexico nominated and the calibre of nominees was incredibly high. The selection team was looking for achievement above and beyond normal professional practice, with an emphasis on extracurricular achievement and efforts to build and support the profession and its development.”
Rochelle’s journey to become a lighting designer started with dance and theater at a very young age and culminated with a degree in architecture. Through the study of architecture, Rochelle developed a passion for lighting and its ability to enhance the intention of space, accentuate the purpose of the architecture, and carry the personality of the building.
Rochelle works tirelessly in the industry, putting in the time and hard work. She is self-motivated purely for the passion of the work. Rochelle shares her knowledge of lighting design as an adjunct professor at Drexel University and by volunteering to organize conferences and events through the IES, IALD and CREW.
“I continue to learn about the latest technologies, techniques and research to inspire and inform others,” explains Rochelle.
Congratulations to Rochelle and the rest of the lighting designers who were named to this year’s Class of 2018!