2024 40 Under 40: Christoph Gisel, IALD, 39

As a lighting designer, Gisel has worked on projects across Berlin, New York City and Austin, Texas, to improve public spaces and give marginalized communities a sense of safety and equity. Gisel has worked on significant projects like the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge for the New York State Thruway Authority and Brooklyn Bridge Plaza that demonstrate his key values of freedom and curiosity. Gisel’s mission on these projects was to define the future of New York City from a public lighting perspective by designing public spaces that would give communities the freedom to be themselves and feel safe. After his time in New York, Gisel moved to Austin, where he works as the office leader for Arup. His time in Texas has allowed him to explore the impact of lighting design beyond supporting people and to focus on diminishing light pollution. Most notably, his project with the city of Sunset Valley to reimagine a commercial and transportation corridor, Brodie Lane, uses lighting that does not disrupt animals or the natural environment. Gisel also volunteers for the Dark Sky Society in Texas, where he provides input to communities that seek to adopt dark-sky friendly codes. Outside of work, Gisel spends a lot of time in nature and enjoys exploring national parks and the greenery around him in Austin. His move to Texas also brought him to rowing and he enjoys taking moments on the lake as a self-care practice and an opportunity to connect with nature while still enjoying Austin’s urban setting.

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