Lighting Design

Lighting Design: An Art School Concept?

"Be an expert in your field. Ask questions, make suggestions and never be afraid of a challenge." - Robin Erwin, President of Erwin Electric

A graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology, Robin Erwin was primed for a career in printing or graphic design. In 1997, however, her career path too an abrupt turn as she began what has become both a challenging and rewarding career in lighting control and design via a company she launched with her husband, Doug, called Erwin Electric.

"At first, I was in charge of all of the office and administrative functions, while Doug ran all of the field operations," said Robin, President of Erwin Electric.

From the very beginning, though, she was always interested in the residential side of the business, particularly with regard to lighting. As she became more involved with the projects and worked more closely with builders and homeowners alike, she realized that she was able to assist with lighting control and design. She enjoyed the process of creating an electrical plan that was not only functional, but also aesthetically pleasing, a necessary skill when focusing on the high-end custom homes for which Erwin Electric is known.

"In many ways, I was employing the concepts of symmetry, balance and the philosophy that 'form follows function' that I had learned in art school," commented Robin.

She is also dedicated to her chosen path that she has been known to spend hours researching the perfect way to light a challenging space, just to make sure it is the right design and creates the perfect ambience for the homeowner. Today, Erwin Electric designs, installs and programs Lutron lighting control systems in most of their larger projects.

As President of Erwin Electric, Robin handles all aspects of the residential side, from initial estimates to well after final inspection. Of all of her work, though, Robin most enjoys conducting walk-throughs with the homeowner at the beginning of the rough-in.

"It's exciting to know that decisions we are making today will become part of the everyday life of the family who will live there," said Robin.

Robin insists on asking a lot of questions about how space is going to be used so they can be sure to have the proper wiring in place. Small details such as adding task lighting to a built-in study area or making sure that the refrigerator outlet is generator protected may not be noted on the blueprints, but it is these exact details that mean so much to the homeowners.

Always determined to provide the best solutions for her customers and builders, Robin stays abreast of all of the new technology trends in her industry. She is especially interested in the recent push toward green building and spends time researching opportunities that apply to her area of expertise.

"Today, there are more options than ever to build green," said Robin. "LED lighting will soon replace compact fluorescent as the 'must have' in energy-efficient lighting. Photovoltaic systems are also offering homeowners an alternative to the utility company's electric meter. It's a very exciting time for our industry and there is so much left to learn."

Under Robin's leadership, Erwin Electric has become a company of choice in the Tampa area. In fact, the company was listed in the Tampa Bay Business Journal's "Fast 50" list based on overall sales growth from 2005-2007. During this time, Erwin Electric has grown from 20 employees to its current staff of over 60. This has allowed them to take on larger and more challenging projects and opened doors to many new opportunities.

"We are so proud of our fantastic team of estimators, project managers, electricians and office staff that meet every challenge head on and exceed our expectations," said Robin. "We are fortunate to have such a great group of people who share our vision.

"I may have traded in my sketch pad and marker renderings for blueprints and a scale ruler," said Robin, "but my design school instructors would be proud to see how well their lessons are being put to use in a field that is quite different from where I thought I would be."

Lesley Boyd (2008, December). Lighting Design: An Art School Concept?
Suncoast Builder/Architect vol. 17(7), 10-12.