Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to show the video from the Tesla Award Presentation at LEDuation.
First Special Citation Awarded for Innovative Lighting Controls
The National Lighting Bureau is pleased to announce the winners of the 6th Annual Tesla Awards. The projects being recognized support the organization’s mission of advancing lighting excellence and innovation in lighting design, advancing best lighting practices to create an inviting, healthier and more sustainable future. The awards ceremony will take place on March 18 at 4 pm Eastern time during LEDucation in New York City, booth PF7. The ceremony will be hosted by NLB chairperson Mary Beth Gotti and NLB Executive Director Tom Butters. Judges for this year’s program are: Dawn DeGrazio, LC; Terry McGowan, LC, FIES, Director-at-Large NLB; Mark Roush, FIES, LC, MArch; Andrea Wilkerson, LC; and James Yorgey, PE, LC, Director-at-Large NLB.
This is the first year that a project is being recognized with a Special Citation for Innovative Lighting Controls, co-sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association.
Awards of Excellence

Kutak Rock – Denver, CO USA
Vannessa Rae Pederson, Alina Ritz
Stantec

The Palace Theatre – New York, NY USA
Paul Marantz, Hank Forrest, Carla Ross Allen, Zachary Pearson
Fisher Marantz Stone

Yale Peabody Museum Renovation & Expansion – New Haven, CT USA
Stephen D. Bernstein, Michael Hennes, Jiyoung Lee, Clara Samudio
Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design

PDX Airport Main Terminal Expansion – Portland, OR USA
Charles G. Stone II, Zack Zanolli, Abby McDougal
Fisher Marantz Stone
Daylighting Design: ZGF Architects in collaboration with Fisher Marantz Stone
Engineering, Controls and Integration: PAE/LUMA
Awards of Merit
BMO Convention Centre – Calgary, Alberta Canada
Shannon Romes Glover, Denise Fong, Lauren MacLeod, Seth Ely, Nishat Tasnim
Stantec
Dynamic Canopy Lighting DMX Integration and Programming: Eos Lightmedia
The Healing Space at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center – Richmond, VA USA
Francesca Bettridge, Michael Hennes, Nira Wattanachote
Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design
OKTA – NYC Experience Center – New York, NY USA
Claudio Ramos
Electrolight
One Sansome Conservatory – San Francisco, CA USA
Claudio Ramos
Electrolight
Special Citations
National World War I Memorial and Pershing Park – Washington, DC USA
Special Citation: “for its careful attention to creating a strong visual statement for an important U.S. memorial”
Zack Zanolli, Amy E. Leder
Fisher Marantz Stone
Princeton University Geo-Exchange Plants and Garage – Princeton, NJ USA
Special Citation: “for a sculptural lighting experience with fabric that transforms the common parking garage”
Enrique Garcia-Carrera, Kristina Jajalla, Laetitia Stephanos
Fisher Marantz Stone
Vanderbilt University – Rothschild & Carmichael College
– Nashville, TN USA
Special Citation: “for reinforcing the architectural aesthetic through the sensitive design and modernization of historically inspired luminaires”
Jim Baney, Travis Shupe, Scott Tobin, Jess Baker, Brian Wiley, Peter Lee
Schuler Shook
Special Citation
for Innovative Lighting Controls Design & Implementation

The New Valley Hospital – Paramus, NJ USA
Karen Murphy
Camaryn Dennen
HDR
Quote from LCA’s Webster Marsh:
“The New Valley Hospital in Paramus, NJ exemplifies excellence in lighting controls, seamlessly integrating innovative design, thoughtful implementation, and quality end-user experiences. This project stood out for its forward-thinking approach and responsiveness to unique owner and user needs. We are proud to recognize it with the Special Citation for Innovative Lighting Controls.”
With great appreciation, the National Lighting Bureau acknowledges all participants of the 6th Annual Tesla Awards. Congratulations to all Tesla Award winners for their commitment to promoting excellence in lighting.
About the NLB
The National Lighting Bureau is an independent, IRS-recognized not-for-profit, educational foundation that has served as a trusted lighting information source. The Bureau provides its services to the public free of charge, thanks to the generous funding of the organization’s sponsors which include professional societies, trade associations, labor unions, manufacturers, and agencies of the U.S. government.