Joe Snell, director at Snell Architects, is currently involved in a creative light artwork for Vivid Sydney, being held May 25 to June 11.

He was educated at the University of Sydney and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Copenhagen, and has been a finalist on 10 occasions in national design awards.

Snell spoke to Architecture & Design (A&D) about working with Vivid Sydney, using colour in architectural projects and why he hopes people react with a pack animal mentality when they view his light installation.

Can you tell A&D about the light installation you were involved with for Vivid Sydney? What was the inspiration?

The first goal was to bring a science to do with light to a lighting installation. Too often lighting installations are just attempting to be pretty or are only about celebrating the lighting technology itself. We worked with solar tracking technology experts Device Logic to create the movement and interactivity of the creatures. It is exciting to involve solar technology - a 'real' light technology - into the installation.

The second goal was to bring a sense of fun that the whole family could enjoy. I have been impressed with the family turnout to Vivid Sydney over the years and wanted to do something that the kids would love, yet also had another level of idea that the adults could engage with. Everybody can engage and recognise these highly symbolic creatures.

Snell’s 30 metre long glowing hot coal, titled ‘Ember’, was part of Sydney's VIVID 2011

What are you hoping people will feel and think when they view your light installation?

When a pack of animals all turn to look at you in unison, you can't help but feel their intelligence. The fact that they do not move their bodies - just their heads - shows their interest, yet lack of fear. There is something about a potential malevolence in their unflinching stare. However, after a while they return to their business. Do they really care? This installation is really about the viewer’s reaction to the creatures - it is more about you than them. Of course, the creatures are beautiful and when their heads turn it is captivating.

Do you think enough architects consider the impact of lighting in their designs enough?

I think they do attempt to. However, I would say that from my own experience I was not taught enough about lighting and its importance through my education. I have learnt about it on the job, so to speak. However, a lot has changed in the last five years so I hope that the universities have caught on. I think that lighting is a specialty field and I tend to use lighting consultants if the project can afford it.

Why do you think festivals like Vivid Sydney are important?

The world is starting to realise that creativity is a major currency of the future. As the creative hub of the Asia Pacific region, Sydney is at the forefront of that currency and continues to push boundaries to find its space on the world stage. Vivid Sydney has played a major role in helping Sydney take/create that mantle. It has certainly given me a great opportunity to create and engage directly with the community.

You’ve been a finalist in national awards for the use of colour. Can you tell A&D about the project you were a finalist for in this category and how you used colour?

Maurice Dry Cleaners was awarded a Commendation Award at the Australian Interior Design Awards 2011. The brand had two colours - blue and yellow. We created a soft grey background using recycled PET product that reminds you of the lint that you find behind your dryer door and then layered all the activity elements over it in bright yellow. The yellow elements included 800m of yellow clothesline and powdercoated perforated metals. The only blue in the store was the brand name in the window.

Do you think architects are using colour enough to convey their ideas and concepts?

I think that colour is difficult to use well. When it is used well it is unbeatable. Architects should use colour when they think it is appropriate. It is not a question of enough or not enough.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

We are working on a broad range of projects, including a 3000 sqm fashion headquarters in Sydney, a fixie bike service centre, bars in Surry Hills, Sydney and Circular Quay, a 2000 sqm crop installation in Brisbane, a range of retail in Sydney and Brisbane and a number of houses.