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History
Frank LaGiusa, Chair of the first Edison Award program, recalls, "The whole program was really an expansion of GE Lighting's belief that providing examples of innovative applications was the most effective way to encourage good lighting. The Edison Award provided a way to honor and publicize the talents and expertise of professional lighting designers, along with the pioneering applications that they developed."
The idea for this new lighting competition was launched in 1983 and was open "to any design in which the GE Precise MR16 lamp helped to bring the achievements of man to light." In the years followed, to achieve even more efficient and effective lighting, designers have embraced new technologies and have incorporated into their "toolkits".
Over the history of Edison Award, projects have included impressive facade and monument lighting, daring retail schemes, dramatic restaurant renderings, and serene houses of worship.
Designers have awarded for lighting aquariums, theaters, bridges, offices, libraries, malls, hotels, airports and wineries. Yet, the criteria by which they have been judged (Functional excellence; Architectural compatibility; Effective use of state-of-the-art lighting products and techniques; Appropriate color, form and texture revelation; Energy effectiveness; Cost effectiveness) have stood the test of time, and have provided equitable evaluation for all.
Every year, there are many wonderful projects that earn Awards of Merit or Awards of Excellence. Judges have often found it difficult to select only one Edison Award winner, but it has often been noted that this is a strength of competition. Special recognition is given to those who have won the Edison Award more than once:
- Michael Souter – 1984 and 1987
- Frank Florentine - 1986 and 1989
- Janet Lennox Moyer - 1985 and 1997
- Ross De Alessi – 1990, 1993, 1996, and 1999
In the 25-year-old history of the award, the competition has not only grown enormously but also recorded great changes in the entire lighting industry. No wonder it is attracting more and more designers into the program who are coming up with lighting miracles.
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