Peter Hugh, President
Peter enjoys applying his interests of philosophy, psychology, and biophilia to interpret architectural ideas. A favorite quote of his by Sekito Kisen in Sandokai: "Light and darkness create an opposition, yet depend on each other just as the step taken by the right leg depends on the step taken by the left." This delicate balance is evident in many of the firm's designs. After 35 years in lighting design, Peter adeptly employs a process of putting himself into the space, visualizing how the people who ultimately use the space will function and enjoy their surroundings, and he likes to use light to evoke emotions.
Peter maintains professional affiliations with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). After serving as IES Section President for the D.C. and Chicago sections, Midwest Regional Vice President, and Midwest Regional Director, Peter is currently Vice-Chair of the IES Hospitality Committee and is the inaugural Chair of the IES DEIR Committee. Additionally, in 2023, Peter founded The Lighting Advocacy Congress, a new entity that offers a forum for all the various parties interested in furthering DEIR in the lighting industry.
peter@hughlightingdesign.com
Peter enjoys applying his interests of philosophy, psychology, and biophilia to interpret architectural ideas. A favorite quote of his by Sekito Kisen in Sandokai: "Light and darkness create an opposition, yet depend on each other just as the step taken by the right leg depends on the step taken by the left." This delicate balance is evident in many of the firm's designs. After 35 years in lighting design, Peter adeptly employs a process of putting himself into the space, visualizing how the people who ultimately use the space will function and enjoy their surroundings, and he likes to use light to evoke emotions.
Peter maintains professional affiliations with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). After serving as IES Section President for the D.C. and Chicago sections, Midwest Regional Vice President, and Midwest Regional Director, Peter is currently Vice-Chair of the IES Hospitality Committee and is the inaugural Chair of the IES DEIR Committee. Additionally, in 2023, Peter founded The Lighting Advocacy Congress, a new entity that offers a forum for all the various parties interested in furthering DEIR in the lighting industry.
peter@hughlightingdesign.com
Mahalia Santiago-Wajda, Vice President
A senior designer and project manager, Mahalia brings a sense of project empathy and attention to detail to her projects. Her degree in Interior Architecture allows her to provide a balance of human needs with the architectural aesthetic. Mahalia's talent for weighing a project's decorative and functional lighting needs has ensured an uncompromising environment in the many spaces she has designed over her 18- year tenure with the firm.
Mahalia maintains professional affiliations with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). A mom to two young daughters, outside of work Mahalia finds herself on lots of Target runs and looks forward to sneaking in naps when she can. She enjoys watching rom-coms and horror movies and has a weakness for sushi.
mahalia@hughlightingdesign.com
A senior designer and project manager, Mahalia brings a sense of project empathy and attention to detail to her projects. Her degree in Interior Architecture allows her to provide a balance of human needs with the architectural aesthetic. Mahalia's talent for weighing a project's decorative and functional lighting needs has ensured an uncompromising environment in the many spaces she has designed over her 18- year tenure with the firm.
Mahalia maintains professional affiliations with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). A mom to two young daughters, outside of work Mahalia finds herself on lots of Target runs and looks forward to sneaking in naps when she can. She enjoys watching rom-coms and horror movies and has a weakness for sushi.
mahalia@hughlightingdesign.com
Hugh Lighting Design, LLC is a registered Small Business and certified Minority Business Enterprise by the State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago. The firm is also registered with the Illinois Board of Elections and an approved sub-contractor to the U.S. General Services Administration.