Available Light Phoenix's Western Expansion Continues

	Rachel Gibney

Available Light announces that its new Phoenix studio continues its western expansion beyond Los Angeles, first announced in April 2022. Available Light is an internationally recognized lighting design firm specializing in museum, architectural, trade show/special event lighting design. The new ventures join existing AvLt studios in Boston, New York, and Raleigh.

Founded in Boston in 1992, Available Light is celebrating 30 years of creative achievement and design innovation by focusing on regional growth. "When we reached our 25th anniversary, we commissioned a monograph to celebrate our achievements," says Steven Rosen, founder and president, "At 30, we've reinvigorated our practice with a strategic growth plan that lets us meet and support our clients at their doorstep."

Phoenix is a city with a burgeoning health care industry that calls for architectural expansion where scientific research, patient care, and academic study can be conducted. AvLt's Phoenix studio will be led by associate principal Rachel Gibney, Assoc. IALD, MIES, LC. Gibney, who trained as a theatrical lighting designer, is an Arizona native who has been part of the AvLt team since joining the firm as an intern nearly a decade ago. Says Gibney, "From aesthetics, to well-being, to sustainability, we look forward to collaborating with owners, architects, designers, consultants, and contractors to create the best possible architectural and experiential outcomes for everyone who encounters the spaces we light."

"Rachel rapidly climbed the responsibility ladder at AvLt," says Rosen. "Over time, she's deeply absorbed our aesthetic, culture, and design process. At the same time, her desire to enhance our technical skills -- generating computer daylighting studies, developing virtual real-time 3D presentations, studying the affect of light on humans, and more -- has made Rachel a real boon to the firm. From higher ed STEM complexes to museums, Rachel uses light to tell meaningful and compelling stories with lasting impact. Rachel's design skills and collaborative spirit will greatly benefit our clients."

"I'm excited to expand Available Light and offer our lighting expertise in life sciences, commercial and other industries in the Phoenix area," says Gibney. "In addition to more directly serving clients in the Southwest, we now have an opportunity to contribute to the professional networks that underpin other related regional design industries."

Committed to professional development, Gibney is active in two IES standards committees: Education, Library, Office Lighting and Theater, Film, and Television Lighting. She has also been deeply involved in Women in Lighting + Design (WILD). A lifelong advocate of teaching and learning, Gibney teaches the Revit/BIM application to theatrical design students at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the Studio School of Design. She holds a BFA from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Gibney has won several industry and design awards.

Recent AvLt projects include the National Museum of African American Music, Amherst College New Science Center, the James Mandell Building at Boston Children's Hospital, and an exhibition at the RSA international conference.