Meet Laura Ashley
Hello! I'm Laura Ashley, Owner, Founder and Designer of Silaw Lighting Design, LLC, a small boutique lighting design company based in Southeastern Virginia. Silaw means "light" in Ilocano, which is the Philippine dialect my family speaks. The name is meaningful - a tribute to my family and my passion for lighting.
I'm excited to share my story with you of how I landed in this unique industry of lighting.
My Story
Laura Ashley grew up in Virginia Beach, where her creative roots began early. She started piano at five and violin at six, and her mom — always on the lookout for opportunities — spotted a newspaper article announcing auditions for the newly formed Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra under conductor Robert Ian Winstin. Auditioning wasn’t as intimidating as she expected, though walking in wearing a Laura Ashley dress and hearing the conductor belt out “LAAAAAA” in response to her initials (L.A.A.A.) left her unsure of what she’d gotten herself into. That moment, however, changed everything.
Through VYSO’s international concert tours, Laura experienced cities, cultures, and architecture around the world. The contrast between ancient and modern spaces captivated her and sparked a deep curiosity about the built environment.
When it came time for college, she knew she wanted to blend her love of music with her interest in architecture. She attended The Pennsylvania State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering with a focus on Building Electrical Systems Design and Architectural Lighting Design. For her, the connection was natural: music is a form of storytelling, and lighting is another medium for expression — a way to shape atmosphere, emotion, and experience within a space. Lighting became the place where her technical curiosity and artistic instincts met.
Professional Experience
Laura Ashley brings extensive experience in architectural lighting design, contributing to successful projects across the United States, including LEED and WELL environments. She maintains strong working relationships with lighting agencies and design teams locally and nationwide, supporting coordinated, design‑driven project delivery.
She has been a long‑standing member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), serving in multiple leadership roles over the years, including President, Vice President, Emerging Professionals Chair, and District 3 Vice Chair.
Silaw Lighting Design, LLC
Independent lighting design projects completed as Owner and Principal Lighting Designer of Silaw Lighting Design, LLC..
Workplace
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Pierce Jewett Office Tenant Fit-out, Richmond, VA
Civic + Cultural
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Next Step to Success, Norfolk, VA
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Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk, VA
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First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, VA
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Westmoreland State Park, Montross, VA
Sports + Recreation
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William A. Hunton YMCA, Norfolk, VA
Prior Experience - Representative Experience
Projects completed as part of multidisciplinary lighting and electrical design teams prior to founding Silaw Lighting Design, LLC.
Health + Science
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Regeneron Landmark Campus Site Lighting, Tarrytown, NY
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
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Quest Diagnostics, Clifton, NJ
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Allegheny Health Network Wexford Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
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Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta North Druid Hills, Atlanta, GA
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VCU New Kent Emergency Department, New Kent County, VA
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Northwell Health Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY
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CNMC Inventa Sports Medicine, Silver Spring, MD
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Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, DC
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Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital Emergency Department, Kitchen & Servery Expansion & Renovation, Lancaster, PA
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Shattuck Hospital Replacement Building, Boston, MA
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Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Tacoma, WA
Mixed-Use
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515 West 18th Street, New York, NY
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950 South Capitol, Washington, DC
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664 Pacific, Brooklyn, NY
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1900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA
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Strathmore Square Building 3A & 3B, North Bethesda, MD
Residential
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515 West 18th Street, New York, NY
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Waterline Square, New York, NY
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950 South Capitol, Washington, DC
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50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY
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470 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
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664 Pacific, Brooklyn, NY
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CitizenM Hotel Boston, Boston, NY
Workplace
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WSP Arlington Office, Arlington, VA
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LMI Tenant Renovations, McLean, VA
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Regeneron Landmark Campus Site Lighting, Tarrytown, NY
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General Dynamics, Falls Church, VA
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1180 Peachtree Lobby Renovation, Atlanta, GA
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Informa 605 3rd Avenue, New York, NY
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KIMC Office Space Remodel. Arlington, VA
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Amazon B20 COE, Seattle, WA
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SCOR 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY
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Gates Medical Research Institute Renovation, Cambridge, MA
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555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC
Retail
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515 West 18th Street, New York, NY
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Tysons Galleria Redevelopment, McLean, VA
Academic
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Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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216 Massachusetts Avenue, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (WELL project)
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555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC
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Arizona State University Los Angeles Herald Examiner Building, Los Angeles, CA
Civic + Cultural
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Route 34 Underpass Beautification, New Haven, CT
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South Sound 911 Public Safety Communications Center, Tacoma, WA
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General Services Administration Facility, Madawaska, ME
Hospitality
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89 Guest Concert Hall, Boston, MA
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Arizona State University Los Angeles Herald Examiner Building, Los Angeles, CA
Sports + Recreation
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Wells Fargo Center (Phase 4E), Philadelphia, PA
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Old Dominion University eSports Room Lighting, Norfolk, VA
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Red Bulls Training Facility, Morristown, NJ
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Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, NV
We're always looking for new and exciting opportunities!
Let's connect.
Phone
757-932-5931
