Selma Benmakhlouf is currently in her fifth year at the Pennsylvania State University, studying Architectural Engineering. In summer of 2017, Selma plans to graduate with a Bachelor’s of Architectural Engineering degree (B.A.E.), with a focus in lighting design and electrical systems. Selma is passionate about the ability of lighting to highlight the work of the architect while impacting the overall ambiance of a space.

 

Throughout her education Selma’s passion has driven her to find opportunities to apply what she learns in the classroom to the real world. Over the years, Selma has had four different internships in architectural, structural, electrical and lighting design that exposed her to various fields in the professional industry. 

 

Selma’s first internship relating to the lighting/electrical field was during the summer of her third year where she interned at AECOM in Arlington, VA. She acquired a greater understanding in electrical engineering by aiding engineers to design electrical systems including circuiting, panel board schedules, and electrical distribution. This past summer she worked in Los Angeles, CA with Francis Krahe and Associates where she had the opportunity to prepare lighting budgets, specifications, concept presentations, and lighting reports. She also used a number of softwares for illumination calculations for different projects as well as creating renderings to provide the owner with the lighting design of a space.

 

Selma was the recipient of the Howard Brandston Student Lighting Design Award with Hanan Alhashimi. The competition encourages and recognizes students who demonstrated and presented an original solution to a supplied design problem. In addition, being involved with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and also the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) has given her opportunities to meet with professionals around the United States and be exposed to the newest technology and solutions within the industry.