I hold a degree in Audiovisual Media from UPC, and my professional career has been centered on lighting design for cinema, fiction, photography, comercials, and theater. As a “Gaffer”, I have designed lighting for fiction sets, studios, photo shoots, and nighttime exterior locations, bringing both technical expertise and creative vision to every project.
I have had the opportunity to collaborate on national and international projects, working alongside top cinematographers, which has enriched my experience and deepened my understanding of lighting as a tool for expressing emotions and visual storytelling.
After completing a master’s degree in Lighting Design in 2023, I began working as a lighting designer in the architectural lighting sector, where I continue to develop projects that seek to balance aesthetics and functionality.
I keep exploring new ways of transforming spaces and narratives through light.
GENIS SERRA LIGHTING DESIGNER
01 KÀLIDA FOUNDATION
Interior lighting | Academic project
Illuminate the Kàlida Foundation building, designed by Benedetta Tagliabue was an abitious project. This building, close to the modernist Sant Pau Hospital, was conceived as a warm and welcoming refuge that provides support to people affected by cancer without the need for an appointment or medical referral.
The building’s architecture reflects this philosophy of care and well-being, with an open, fluid, and enveloping structure that invites serenity and connection with the surroundings.
Therefore, the challenge of the lighting project was twofold: to respect the style and essence of the building—maintaining its transparency, permeability, and organic motifs—while creating a warm, soft, and intimate atmosphere
The lighting had to be harmonious and inviting, avoiding harshness and enhancing a sense of comfort and closeness that would reinforce Kàlida’s mission: to offer a safe and pleasant space where users feel supported and accompanied
COZY CORNER
DINNING ROOM
KITCHEN VIEW
MULTIPURPOSE ROOM
GROUND FLOOR
The 3 Layers of Kàlida
Kālida Foundation, Benedetta Tagliabue, and Josep Domènech i Montaner share a common thread that connects them throughout history: placing people at the center of their projects
Both in architecture and spatial design, their work is characterized by a humanistic approach, where light, material, and form intertwine to generate well-being and emotion
This lighting project echoes that legacy, focusing on the individual as the unit of measurement for space. Inspired by the three dimensions that shape human beings—body, emotions, and soul—it proposes a three-layered lighting system that complements each other to bring depth, warmth, and meaning to the building.
01_Ambiance: The Body
This represents the physical and tangible dimension of space This layer creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, providing a uniform lighting base that defines volumes and frames the architecture. Its function is to offer visual comfort and generate a sense of well-being through balanced and harmonious illumination.
02_Focal: The Light of Emotions
The second layer introduces nuances and contrasts to enrich the sensory experience. Through strategically placed directional lighting, it highlights decorative details, creates intimate settings, and enhances the functionality of spaces. This is a light that interacts with textures, furniture, and materials, adding dynamism and expressiveness.
03_Singular: The Light of Essence
Beyond functionality and aesthetics, this lighting layer seeks to express emotion and identity. These are precise, carefully placed lighting interventions that reinforce the atmosphere and character of the space. These light sources may accentuate the beauty of certain architectural elements or establish subtle connections with nature and the surroundings.
This lighting proposal not only meets technical criteria but also brings a poetic and sensory dimension to the space, turning light into a key element of the human experience within the building.
LIGHTING PLAN FIRST FLOOR
02 BOFILL BLOCK
Masterplan | Academic project
This academic project aimed to establish clearly defined lighting guidelines, which were integrated into a master plan designed for the illumination of Bofill block or “Illa Bofill”, located in the municipality of Sant Just Desvern.
This area encompasses two of the most iconic buildings of contemporary architecture: Walden 7 and the Cement Factory, both designed and built by renowned architect Ricardo Bofill
Although both buildings share Bofill’s authorship, they have distinct characteristics and functions that directly influenced the lighting design.
On one hand, Walden 7 is a residential building known for its labyrinthine architecture and a design that fosters a unique sense of community among its residents.
On the other hand, the Cement Factory has undergone a transformation, repurposing this industrial structure into the headquarters of Ricardo Bofill’s architecture studio.
The primary goal of this lighting project was to provide “Illa Bofill” with a lighting strategy that was not only functional but also symbolic, while respecting the unique essence of each building.
01 WALDEN 7
FÀBRICA
EL MIRADOR
PL. DE LA PAU
N340 06 AV. DE LA INDÚSTRIA
“VOID” seeks to highlight and reimagine the geometric voids characteristic of Ricardo Bofill’s works, particularly in Walden 7 and the Cement Factory.
Through strategic lighting, “VOID” uses light and shadow to create vibrant contrasts that emphasize shapes and negative spaces.
This inversion lights the voids, transforming them into visual protagonists that interact with the solid structures, offering a new perception of architectural geometry and depth.
In this concept empty spaces take on a life of their own, redefining the spectator’s experience within these iconic architectural works.
Heritage lighting project NUR L+D | Cortes, Navarra, 2024
Cortes is a municipality in the south of Navarra that is part of the Camino de Santiago. The Castle of Cortes stands at the highest point of the town, visually dominating the urban core. Today, it is one of the main cultural and heritage attractions in the area
The castle previously had a metal halide lamp installation, which consumed a significant amount of energy. The installed power reached nearly 6 kW, with no control over the luminous flux. This resulted in unnecessary energy consumption and made it difficult to manage the lighting based on actual needs.
The project update aimed to reuse much of the existing electrical infrastructure, minimizing installation costs and avoiding a negative visual impact on the architecture. The new design focused on more efficient and sustainable systems, providing higher-quality lighting with better control.
The new lighting design for the Castle of Cortes enhances its nighttime visibility and historical significance while respecting the night sky and natural surroundings, following sustainability principles.
WALL GATE
WALL FROM STREET VIEW
AERIAL VIEW
CASTLE TOWER
Lighting in Levels
In the lighting concept for the Castle of Cortes, the design was structured around the three architectural levels of the castle, respecting its visual hierarchy and relationship with the surroundings.
01. The First Level – The Tower
As the tallest element and a key visual reference, the tower needed to stand out within the project. To achieve this, specific projectors with a 2700K color temperature were used, providing a warm and enveloping light that enhanced its majesty and historical significance.
02. The Second Level – The Main Façade
The main façade was illuminated with a uniform and warm wash of light highlighting its architectural details while ensuring a smooth transition toward the castle walls. This subtle contrast added depth to the lighting composition, reinforcing the building’s prominence.
03. The Third Level – The Street and Castle Walls
For the lower level including the street and walls a slightly cooler color temperature was selected. This choice created a delicate contrast with the upper levels without causing excessive separation. At the same time, it harmonized with the public lighting tones in the square and adjacent streets, ensuring the castle blended naturally and seamlessly into its urban context.
Through this approach, the lighting design for the Castle of Cortes not only enhances its architectural beauty but also strengthens its identity and significance in the nighttime landscape
STREET LIGHT LOCATION
OLD luminaires LOCATION
CAN PEDRALS LIBRARY
Heritage lighting project NUR L+D | Granollers 2024
The façade lighting project for Can Pedrals is part of the Granollers Lighting Master Plan aimed at enhancing the city’s architectural heritage through light.
Can Pedrals, a building of great historical significance, features a unique medieval façade with large windows that emphasize its character. The lighting strategy has been designed to enhance its identity and highlight its most emblematic architectural elements.
The project includes the illumination of two façades, the window openings, and a modern cornice which serves as a distinctive feature in the overall composition.
Beyond reinforcing the historic character of Can Pedrals this project contributes to creating a balanced and harmonious nighttime atmosphere integrating lighting as a key tool for architectural heritage appreciation.
WINDOW
CORNICE VIEW FROM STREET
AERIAL VIEW
Key Architectural Features
For the lighting of the historic façades of Can Pedrals, several strategies were defined to enhance its presence and heritage value.
On the one hand, for the main façade facing Plaça Josep Maluquer, a general wash of light was chosen to ensure uniform illumination of the surface, taking advantage of its wide and panoramic visibility. A color temperature of 3000K with RGBW technology was selected, allowing for color projection on special occasions.
To maintain a controlled budget and ensure efficiency, the fixtures were installed on the existing public lighting columns, discreetly integrating into the surroundings.
The second strategy focused on highlighting the façade openings, both to give them prominence and to create subtle contrasts with the main body of the building. Fan-shaped luminaires were used to light the window frames and create an attractive play of light. With a color temperature of 2700K, a subtle chromatic contrast was achieved, enriching the perception of the façade and its depth.
Finally, to add an additional layer of dimension to the building, the cornice located on Carrer Espí i Grau was highlighted. Although it is part of a later renovation, this architectural element is distinctive and highly visible from the ends of the street. Through lighting, its integration into the overall architectural composition was emphasized.
