SAE Lecture Series: Matt Franks, "A Journey Through Light: Daylight, Electric Light, and the Illumination of Cultural Spaces""

Please join the UO Portland Architecture Program on Monday, October 26 (5:30pm) at Highland Hall for a talk by Matt Franks, Associate Principal and Senior Lighting Designer at Arup. This event in the School of Architecture & Environment’s Fall Lecture Series is free and open to the public.

DESCRIPTION

Museums have long grappled with a fundamental tension: the desire to experience art in natural light and the need to protect it from harm. This talk explores how architects, curators, and lighting designers have navigated that challenge, creating some of the world's most memorable museum spaces. Drawing from several notable museum projects, we’ll examine the evolving role of daylight in shaping the museum visitor experience.

BIO

Matt Franks is an Associate Principal and Senior Lighting Consultant with Arup, where he leads lighting and daylighting design for projects that enhance the architectural character of space, support occupant wellbeing, and advance sustainability goals. With more than 25 years of experience, Matt has delivered award-winning projects across the cultural, education, workplace, civic, and healthcare sectors.

Recognized for his expertise in museums, galleries, and arts and culture facilities, Matt has led lighting and daylighting design for internationally recognized projects including the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Glenstone, the Corning Museum of Glass, Harvard Art Museums, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. He combines deep knowledge of the effects of daylight and electric lighting with advanced simulation and analytical techniques to develop lighting approaches that are seamlessly integrated with architecture.

[Photo: Iwan Baan; Glenstone: Thomas Phifer and Partners]