Lighting expert Robert Singer emphasizes the vital role of effective lighting design in both residential and commercial spaces. He believes that exceptional lighting creates an emotional engagement without revealing its secrets. "Good lighting is not something you can see, it’s something you feel,” says Singer, who founded his firm, Robert Singer and Associates, in 1981 and has nearly forty years of experience in the industry.
Singer describes home lighting design as an art form, distinct from engineering plans. He explains that understanding both light and its absence is crucial for creating drama and depth. "We design as if we are painting a picture with many layers of light to bring depth, dimension and drama to a room,” he states.
His cutting-edge techniques not only ensure overall illumination but also highlight architectural features and artwork while enhancing outdoor living spaces. Singer skillfully uses fixtures to define areas in larger rooms, creating visual focal points for art collections. He has a talent for making ceilings appear to float and for designing walls that seem to extend into the ceiling.
Recently, Singer worked on a contemporary home in Beverly Hills, where the soft glow through floor-to-ceiling windows creates a lantern-like effect at night. In outdoor spaces, unique lighting emphasizes the house’s structure and enhances patios. Inside, custom millwork and luxurious finishes are showcased through a blend of linear and recessed LED lighting.
He implements hidden LEDs in handrail niches, providing both stairwell illumination and nighttime guidance. Special bulbs in a master bedroom closet help reveal the true colors of clothing, showcasing the importance of using lights with a high Color Rendering Index.
Singer and his team are members of the International Association of Lighting Designers and the U.S. Green Building Council, and they hold LEED certifications. They recognize that in today’s market, being technologically savvy is key. "Today, everything is 100-percent LED,” he notes, emphasizing the need for lighting products to be compatible with advanced control systems that are user-friendly.
Raised in New York City, Singer initially pursued economics and theater design at Stony Brook University. He became interested in lighting while working on theatrical designs for bands, eventually leaving college to study with a notable designer in New York. He gained experience in commercial venues like restaurants and hotels before shifting focus to residential projects after a significant opportunity in Aspen, Colorado.
Singer recounts, "It wasn’t long before I had 16 projects going on in Aspen.” Transitioning his business to focus on residential design, he later opened a branch in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Though he remains busy with projects in Colorado and Arizona, much of his work now comes from clients in California, New York, and Montana. Many affluent clients actively seek out homes designed by Robert Singer.
"When you do something of high quality, people get it and they are willing to spend the money for design,” he asserts. Singer believes that well-executed lighting design not only elevates the aesthetic of a home but also enhances the overall spirit of its inhabitants.
