Award-Winning Lighting Design for Gallo Azul: An Interview with Gustavo Avilés
At the IALD Enlighten Americas Conference, I spoke with Gustavo Avilés of LIGHTEAM,Gustavo Avilés. He earned the Award of Excellence for his work on the Gallo Azul lighting design in Mexico City. This project, centered on tailoring high-end men’s clothing, required an innovative lighting solution to enhance the visual experience of both the materials and the space.
Lighting for High-End Tailoring
“Gallo Azul is dedicated to tailoring clothes for men,” Gustavo said. The business customizes suits in Mexico and then sends them to Italy and Romania for cutting and sewing. The garments return to Mexico for final fittings. “When you’re working with these kinds of materials, it’s essential to have beautiful lighting,” he explained. “Lighting must highlight the texture and quality for both the customer and the tailor.”
Gustavo Aviles receives an Award of Excellence at the IALD Enlighten Americas Conference. Photo courtesy of IALD
Ensuring Superior Color and Texture Reproduction
Given the high-end nature of the clothing, the lighting had to showcase the fabric’s texture and true colors. Gustavo emphasized the importance of “beautiful lighting with nice contrast, soft tones, and high texture reproduction.” To achieve this, he used LEDs with a 95 CRI. “The light is soft and slightly warm, at 2900K,” he noted. This balance created a glare-free environment that enhanced both the colors and the texture.
Simple but Effective Controls
Despite the project’s complexity, the client preferred simple lighting controls. “The client wanted to manage the space as he liked, so we used a basic control system,” Gustavo said. Although straightforward, the system still incorporated energy-saving features and high-quality control. This approach aligned with the client’s vision for a space he could manage manually.
Collaborating with Architect Hector Esrawe Studio
The project’s architect, Hector Esrawe, is well-known for his detailed and meticulous work. “He’s always demanding and has a sharp eye for detail,” Gustavo explained. Hector’s influence ensured that every aspect of the project, including lighting, aligned with his vision for the space. This collaboration made the lighting design an integral part of the overall aesthetic.
Read about the Touro University lighting design by Anita Jorgensen