“In every artwork that I create, I consider energy consumption and environmental impact.  My studio is dedicated to employing high-efficiency LED products to minimize energy consumption and light pollution that may negatively affect surrounding ecosystems. In many of my projects including Illuminated River, high-efficiency LEDs were used to replace traditional lighting fixtures reducing both energy usage as well as light spill. My studio has collaborated extensively with environmental agencies who have helped us craft and deploy efficient and environmentally conscientious light sculptures. In addition to being energy-conscious, my studio is actively involved with local environmental NPOs including the Billion Oyster Project, which is working to improve the ecology of the New York Harbor.”  - Leo Villareal 

CO2 OFFSET PROGRAM

Leo Villareal Studio is dedicated to offsetting the carbon emissions that are produced by day-to-day studio operations including air and car travel, electricity consumption, studio heating, and materials.  Each year, the studio estimates its carbon emissions and offsets its carbon footprint by purchasing carbon credits through Gold Standard Foundation, a vetted, non-governmental emissions reductions organization based in Geneva. Developed in 2003 by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Gold Standard certifies and supports hundreds of community- based green energy projects.

In past years Leo Villareal Studio has supported the following green energy projects to offset its CO2 emissions:

The studio wishes to thank Peter Halley for asking us to participate in his carbon offset program and introducing us to the Gold Standard Foundation. In Fall 2019, Peter started a project with the ultimate goal of convincing the entire art world to become a carbon neutral industry by asking his colleagues to offset carbon emissions to combat global warming. 

ILLUMINATED RIVER 

For Illuminated River, which encompasses nine bridges crossing the Thames in central London, Leo Villareal Studio engaged smart LED technologies to replace out-dated and inefficient lighting on the bridges, providing a more sustainable solution for lighting the river at night. Removing metal halides and halogens and employing efficient LEDs with custom fittings has reduced both energy consumption and light spill onto the river, providing a better environment for Thames flora and fauna.  Switched on shortly after sunset and turned off at 2:00 AM, the artwork for each bridge uses no more energy than household appliances. 

 
 

THE BAY LIGHTS 

The Bay Lights is a 1.8 mile wide and 525 feet high LED light sculpture that contains 25,000 high-efficiency LEDs.  At full power, each LED node draws 1 watt per hour. Due to its modulating content and brightness, however, the artwork only uses only 20% of each LED’s power capacity. The entire artwork, which runs from dawn to dusk, uses approximately 50 kW per night. This is equivalent to the daily amount of energy consumed when running a central air conditioning unit during warm months. The first two years of the Bay Lights were supported by carbon offset projects.