Celebrating Excellence in Lighting Design: The Inaugural Beacon Awards
On 9 October 2024, the lighting industry convened at Sony Hall, a speakeasy in New York City, for the inaugural Beacon Awards, hosted by the Designers Lighting Forum New York (DLFNY). This ceremony recognized outstanding achievements in lighting design, honoring individuals and companies whose contributions have significantly advanced the field. As the lights dimmed, the spirit of innovation, creativity, and community illuminated the evening.
The Birth of the Beacon Awards
Charles Pavarini III came up with the original idea for the DLFNY to host their own awards. This idea gained momentum when he collaborated with Donna Sumner, Sirun Olivia Potenza, Randall Pavarini, Carl Everett, and Brian Smith. Their collective mission was to create a platform that celebrates and elevates lighting design throughout the New York lighting community and beyond.
Honoring Visionaries Across Categories
A distinguished panel of presenters awarded honors across various categories, showcasing a diverse range of talent within the lighting industry. Categories included Hospitality/Retail, Historic/Cultural, Exteriors, Product Innovation, and Residential. Notable figures such as Dan Blitzer, Donna Sumner, and Brian Smith highlighted their commitment to the profession as they presented awards.
Lighting as Art: A Tribute to Creativity and Innovation
The evening underscored the artistry inherent in lighting design. In his welcoming speech, Charles Pavarini III quoted Ellen DeGeneres, encapsulating the essence of lighting: “In the beginning, there was nothing. God said, ‘Let there be light!’ And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see a whole lot better.” He also referenced Rogier van der Heide, who said, “Lighting design is not about the number of lights or the lumens they emit. It’s about the story they tell.” This perspective reinforces that lighting goes beyond illumination; it creates experiences, influences moods, and defines spaces.
Lana Lenar Lighting Empowerment Scholarship
A remarkable addition to the ceremony was the introduction of the Lana Lenar Lighting Empowerment Scholarship, a grant supporting full-time students pursuing lighting design. Named to honor a significant contributor to the industry, the scholarship aims to uplift the next generation of lighting designers. Funding is directed to programs at esteemed institutions like Parsons School of Design and the New York School of Interior Design. Proceeds from the evening’s events directly supported this scholarship, reflecting the industry’s dedication to fostering new talent.
Jeeyoung Park of the Lighting Workshop accepted an Award of Excellence and became emotional as she reflected on her close relationship with Lana, who was her senior designer 23 years ago. Jeeyoung shared, “She supported me in so many ways, and I think she supports me to this day up in heaven. Lana, thank you so much for everything. I love you and I miss you.”
2024 Beacon Award Winners
Award of Excellence in Commercial Lighting Design
Project: The Spiral
Lighting Designer: FMS
The Spiral features individually planted terraces, ensuring each floor opens outdoors, creating hanging gardens and cascading atria. At night, the structure glows with a four-story lantern, acting as a beacon for the Hudson Yards neighborhood.
Award of Excellence in Exterior Lighting Design
Award of Excellence in Exterior Lighting Design
Project: Signature Bridge
Lighting Designer: HLB
This double basket-handled arch structure comes alive at night with dynamic uplighting, programmed for over 25 celebratory scenes reflecting changing seasons and holidays. The illuminated glass oculus along the pedestrian path offers an inviting respite for travelers.
Award of Excellence in Historic/Cultural Lighting Design
Project: David Geffen Hall
Lighting Designer: FMS
The design accommodates opera, dance, and film, ensuring artistic vitality for future generations. Undulating walls are illuminated asymmetrically, emphasizing the highlights and shadows of sculpted beechwood. Custom light-pendants signal audiences to be seated.
Award of Excellence in Hospitality/Retail Lighting Design
Project: Chasing Rabbits
Lighting Designer: Focus Lighting
The lighting design celebrates playfulness with relaxed sophistication. Guests journey through rooms, each with unique lighting signatures. Halo-lit floating mirrors create a bold focal point, while the library exudes elegance with warm tones and built-in millwork lighting.
Award of Excellence for a New York Project
Photo credit: Feinknoph Photography Brad Feinknoph and Lauren K. Davis
Project: Penn Station 33rd Street Entrance
Lighting Designer: HLB
The renovation integrates modern general and accent lighting with a custom dynamic ceiling that reveals seasonal content. This design guides travelers through a revitalized, luminous environment, blending color and movement with architectural lighting statements.
Award of Excellence for a New York Project
Project: Rockefeller Center Concourse
Lighting Designer: Lighting Workshop
Renovations evoke original Art Deco design with curved cove details and custom light fixtures, illuminating rediscovered skylights and creating a natural flow with abundant ambient lighting.
Award of Excellence in Residential Lighting Design
Project: Meadow Pavilion
Lighting Designer: Loop Lighting
Nestled in a gently sloping landscape, the pavilion acts as a glowing lantern for a guest house. Inside, soft internal luminescence highlights art and sculpture, while outdoor landscape lighting enhances the arrival experience.
Award of Excellence in Product Innovation
Product: Prim™
Designer: Peerless Lighting
This luminaire utilizes top-down flash methodology, a recessed backlit lens, and indirect batwing distribution to deliver softened illumination and superior glare control, balancing functionality with comfort.
These projects and products were selected by a jury of seven design professionals, including Clodagh, Shaun Fillion, Elvira Gershengon, Paul Gregory, Barry Richards, Sara Schonour, and Atilla Uysal, representing the fields of lighting design, interior design, architecture, and education.
Honoring a Legacy
The 2024 ICON Award posthumously honored Caroline Rinker, a pillar of the New York City lighting community. Recognized for her commitment to advancing the impact of lighting, Caroline was a partner at O’Blaney Rinker Associates, a former president of DLFNY, and a co-chair of LEDucation. Her legacy lives on through her support of the Beacon Awards and other lighting organizations.
An Evening to Remember
As the event concluded, attendees departed not only with crystal awards but also with a renewed sense of purpose. They had witnessed the convergence of technical skill, artistic vision, and a shared passion for lighting. The Beacon Awards stood as a beacon of inspiration, guiding the industry towards a luminous future.