Your Interview Pinar Onat

Introduce yourself (name, company, position, country) and tell us how you got into lighting design (including education/qualifications).

I am Pinar Onat, the founder of PERO Lighting, based in Istanbul, Turkey. I studied Urban Design and Landscape Architecture for my bachelor. 

Following my Bachelor's degree in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture from Bilkent University, I pursued my passion for lighting design. Subsequently, I completed my Master's education in Architectural Lighting Design at Hochschule Wismar. I have delivered lectures and led workshops on lighting design at various universities.

Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, I enhance my projects by incorporating both technical expertise and aesthetic values.

I have contributed to numerous global projects mostly in the Middle East encompassing hospitality, office, museum, retail, residential, commercial, leisure, and landscape designs. I continue to work in both architectural lighting design and light art.

Tell us about your work – is there a specific type of project you like to work on or an area you specialise in and why?

My work is not defined by scale or typology. For me, every project holds value as long as it has a story to tell.I enjoy working across different scales, from intimate interior spaces to large urban environments, because each architectural detail has the potential to create a meaningful sensory experience. What excites me most is discovering the unique character of a place and translating that into light. I do not limit myself to a specific project type. Instead, we are drawn to projects that feel inspiring, thoughtful, and open to dialogue. Every architecture has its own rhythm, context, and emotional layer, and this is what keeps my work constantly engaging and evolving.

What project are you most proud of and why?

Mostly, I am very pleased and proud of the application I have seen and the positive feedback I have received directly from customers, since this allows me to start the next project stronger. However, what made me most proud was the completion and implementation of the lighting design process for the Maiden's Tower in Istanbul. Because it has a great history, and I am a person who loves to draw inspiration from history.

What is the biggest challenge that you have overcome in your career?

I often find myself working on around 8-10 projects at the same time. Knowing that this will cause me stress, I immediately start a workout routine and find myself on the basketball court or doing some other sport. This works very well for me. Of course, the team also contributes greatly, and we try to overcome everything with a good work plan. 

How does light inspire you?

Light inspires me as a sensory tool rather than a visual one. It shapes how a space is felt before it is fully seen. I approach light as a layer that connects architecture, material, and human behavior. I am inspired by light’s ability to guide movement, create calm or tension, and build an emotional narrative without being noticed. For me, good lighting design is intuitive, restrained, and meaningful.When light responds to its context and to the human senses, it becomes timeless.

What is your message for other Women In Lighting?

I have always argued that mistakes are valuable because they show us what not to do and help us get closer to good design. Lighting is not only a technical matter, but also an interpretive one. Lighting can make or break architecture.