HLB Lighting Design celebrates the career of Faith Baum, Principal at HLB, as she announces her retirement. Faith has been a thoughtful and strategic leader of the firm since 2019 and has made numerous contributions to the architectural lighting design industry throughout a career that spans over 35 years.
Faith landed in architectural lighting design almost by accident. Led by a passion for theater and theater lighting, she discovered architectural lighting through a colleague and fell in love with the permanence of lighting design. She took classes at Parsons School of Design and started her career working at The Mintz Lighting Group – beginning as an entry- level designer and ending as an Associate before starting her own firm, Illumination Arts, with longtime friend and colleague Ken Douglas, Senior Principal at HLB. In 2018, Illumination Arts joined HLB, which, according to Faith, “gave all of us opportunities to focus on our passions and what we do best”.
During her career, Faith has completed iconic projects all over the world, enhancing the lives of millions of people
who interact with them daily. Some of her favorite projects include Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge in Worcester, Massachusetts, Veterans Glass City Skyway in Toledo, Ohio, National Audubon Society Headquarters in New York City, SUNY Cortland Student Life Center in Cortland, New York, and Lowry Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Retiring from a profession and company I love is bittersweet. I’m thrilled to be on the precipice of an adventure, not knowing exactly where it will take me. But I’ll miss the joy and excitement of working with my friends and colleagues at HLB, meeting new people, and collaborating on beautiful projects.”, says Faith of her new chapter.
Faith will continue to work with HLB in a part-time consultant role for the next year and will continue to provide meaningful contributions to the firm through select mentorship and marketing activities as she focuses on completing her years-
long investment in fellow teammates and principals through the sharing of her incredible knowledge and expertise. Her commitment to mentorship will continue to light the way for the next generation of lighting designers, both within HLB and beyond.
About HLB Lighting Design
Founded in 1968, HLB Lighting Design is the largest women-owned, independent architectural lighting design firm in the world. We specialize in creating compelling holistic lighting experiences that redefine the way people interact with the built environment. Our longstanding legacy of excellence, combined with our multiple boutique studios, gives us the ability to deliver the most transformative client experience in the industry.