2025 Beacon Award Winners Celebrate Excellence in Lighting Design
Charles Pavarini III Kicks off the 2nd Annual DLFNY Beacon Awards with Jennifer Mason
The 2025 Beacon Awards honored outstanding achievements in lighting design, recognizing projects that blend creativity, technology, and sustainability across commercial, cultural, exterior, retail, residential, hospitality, experiential, and product categories. The event was packed and host, Charles Pavarini III, explained to me that they exceeded their attendance number.
It was a who’s who of the lighting design community in New York.
ICON Award–Fisher Marantz Stone
Jules Fisher and Paula Martinez-Nobles of FMS Receive the ICON Award at DLFNY Beacon Awards
During the 2025 Beacon Awards in New York City, Charles Pavarini III opened the ceremony by presenting the ICON Award to Jules Fisher, Paul Marantz, and Charles Stone of Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS). His remarks recognized the trio’s extraordinary influence on architectural lighting design since founding their firm in 1971.
“And now we would like to begin this ceremony with the ICON Award. We’re honored to present the 2025 ICON Award to Jules Fisher, Paul Marantz, and Charles Stone — the co-founders of Fisher Marantz Stone, who have built and led the firm since its founding in 1971.
Over the years, FMS has made significant contributions to the environment and to the practice of lighting design, both here in New York and worldwide. This award is reserved for a special individual, firm, or company whose commitment advances the impact of lighting within the New York design community.
These three industry leaders were selected by the Beacon Awards Committee and approved by the DFNY Board because they embody what it means to be both a beacon and an icon to their employees, clients, collaborators, and future generations of designers.”
— Charles Pavarini, presenting the ICON Award at the 2025 Beacon Awards
Jules Fisher Backstage at the 2025 DLFNY Beacon Awards
Accepting the award was founder Jules Fisher and President Paula Martinez-Nobles. Jules was treated as a true celebrity during the event with people lining up to say hello and to congratulate him.
Commercial Interior — Transamerica Pyramid Center
L’Observatoire International
Credit: Courtesy SHVO
Following an extensive renovation, the tower’s interior lighting establishes a clean, defined, contemporary look. A dynamic LED system enables the pyramid to transform day to night, from plaza to pinnacle. Jury Comment: The lighting is understated and not overdone, and the pedestrian experience is warm and inviting.
Cultural Institution — Al-Mujadilah: Center and Mosque for Women
Buro Happold
Credit: © Iwan Baan
Donna Sumner Presented the Award to the Buro Happold Team
Donna Sumner of Acuity Brands introduced the award, noting, “In Islam, light is a metaphor for spiritual guidance and righteousness.” She explained that nearly 6,000 conical skylight perforations diffuse daylight into the main prayer hall of the world’s first purpose-built contemporary women’s mosque. As daylight fades, integrated white luminaires recreate the same uplifting ambiance, symbolizing enlightenment and empowerment. The project celebrates women in Muslim society and marks a moment of cultural progress. The Beacon Award for Cultural Institution Lighting Design was presented to Buro Happold for Al-Mujadilah: Center and Mosque for Women.
Exterior — Princeton University Geo-Exchange Plants and Garage
Fisher Marantz Stone
Credit: Todd Mason/Halkin Mason Photography
As part of the University’s Net-Zero program, the garage’s undulating, mesh-façade is lit by concealed uplights, creating a reversal of daytime lights and shadows. The glowing stair-tower and uplit canopy enhance the garage’s visual appeal while minimizing light pollution, while interior integrated lines of light serve as cues for public circulation. Jury comment: They achieved sustainability through intelligent lighting design closely integrated into architecture and materiality of the project.
Retail — Printemps New York
L’Observatoire International
Credit: Peter Dressel for Printemps New York
The lighting design of the store accentuates the store’s fusion of contemporary Parisian aesthetics and restored Art Deco features, most notably in the landmarked Red Room. It not only respects the building’s architectural legacy but also introduces a modern narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive shopping experience that bridges past and present. Jury comment: The mixology of lighting solutions in the various spaces in amazing.
L’Observatoire International Received Two Awards at the 2nd Annual DLFNY Beacon Awards
Jenny Ivansson of L’Observatoire International accepted the award saying, “Thank you. We’re very honored to be standing on the stage… we tried to create this retail experience walking through a department where it’s about lifestyle, about choices, about hanging out and shopping.”
Residential — A Whimsical Landscape Glows from Within
Source Light Design
Credit: Jesse Coletta
A lush ecosystem transforms into an intimate nighttime experience where wildness meets curated light. Small-scale fixtures softly illuminate pathways and trees, while campfire-inspired fixtures glow to highlight key waypoints. Fixtures softly illuminate vertical elements, letting native plants envelop the viewer. Jury comment: This is a poetic project, and we appreciated the restraint and respect for the natural environment.
Hospitality — Café Carmellini
Focus Lighting
Credit: Ryan Fischer
I had the honor of presenting this award to Focus Lighting, whose design captures the timeless glamour of New York’s gilded age. The team sought to evoke the grandeur of classic city dining through lighting that feels both opulent and inviting.
Elaborate decorative fixtures take center stage, supported by layers of meticulously composed architectural light that together create a symphony of brilliance. Working hand-in-hand with fabricators, the designers ensured each piece balanced beauty with functionality. Hidden sources and nuanced color temperatures animate the materials, infusing the entire space with warmth, elegance, and quiet drama.
Jury comment: Excellent reimagination of classic art deco and there is great depth and variety creating lighting drama.
New York Project — Black Rock
Lighting Workshop
Credit: Colin Miller
Black Rock, the only skyscraper designed by Eero Saarinen, underwent a redesign to modernize the building, yet maintains the architect’s aesthetic. The landmarked building, also known as 51West52, with its famed monolithic façade, now has renovated lobbies, concourse, and amenity suites. Jury comment: Light and architecture are equals. They are in sync and reinforce each other.
Experiential — Los Círculos
Marvel
Credit: Cameron Blaylock
This site-specific installation is inspired by communal celebration in the public square, a cultural tradition deeply embedded in the neighborhood’s Latin American diaspora. Soft illumination from undulating circles transforms two public spaces, creating an inviting space for interaction while increasing nighttime visibility. Jury comment: This is a fun, joyful, and it defines the space through light.
Special Citation for Social and Ecological Sustainability — Maasser El Shouf
Light Reach Network and Light for Lebanon (an initiative of Phoscope)
Credit: Courtesy Light for Lebanon
This historic, rural village has long lived in dire light poverty. It now has a solar-powered outdoor lighting design scheme that facilitates kids’ play and cultural festivities after dark. It will also boost the local economy by expanding tourism beyond daytime. Jury comment: We felt this worthy project warranted a citation for its outstanding work.
Architectural Product Design — Tria System
Filix Lighting
Credit: Vedran Maric
Zarina Hamdard from Filix Lighting Accepted the Award
This system allows lighting fixtures, sensors, and branding elements to be placed and adjusted on pathways to urban boulevards, giving light designers a future-proof alternative to traditional poles. Available in three sizes, the product is easy to install and marine-grade coated anodized aluminum ensures long-term durability. Jury comment: This one pole is multi-useful, ensures sustainability, and is timelessly modern. We first saw this product in Dubai earlier this year.
Decorative Product Design — Polina
Focal Point
Credit: Courtesy Focal Point
Available in two sizes as a pendant or wall sconce, this product combines high-performance acoustic control with architectural-grade illumination. It also offers unlit acoustic companions for design flexibility in workplaces, hospitality, and education. Jury comment: Nice integration of acoustics and lighting that allows for flexible design configuration.
Go Deeper: Review the 2024 Beacon Awards
Charles Selander and Charles Pavarini Pose for their Mugshot at the 2024 DLFNY Beacon Awards