Congratulations to the design team of Dennis Vogel, Keith Irtenkauf and Sonia Noble of Illuminating Concepts for winning the 2005 GE Edison Award. The personalized Steuben crystal award was presented to the designers for their project, The Guardian Building Renovation, by GE Consumer & Industrial - Lighting at a gala dinner reception May 29, 2006 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The Guardian Building in Detroit, Michigan is one of the most significant and striking Art Deco skyscrapers in the world. Its recent, extensive renovation returns this landmark building to its original glory and prominence on the Detroit skyline. The lighting design respects the historic nature of the building, while highlighting its architecture and unique finishes.

In the lobby, luminaires with GE ConstantColor® CMH® 150-watt and 70-watt T6 ceramic metal halide lamps indirectly illuminate the vaulted ceiling and enhance the rich colors of the tile. Concealed Q250 PAR38 flood lamps further enhance the appearance of the travertine stone. Architectural details, reliefs and mosaics are highlighted with GE 39-watt T6 CMH® lamps.

On the mezzanine lobby level, existing 250-watt and 400-watt metal halide downlights are retrofitted with GE 39-watt PAR30 and 100-watt PAR38 CMH® lamps and ballasts. Glass block diamond ceiling panels glow with concealed 70-watt PAR38 CMH® lamps. The historic mural and painted linen ceiling are lighted with 39-watt T6 CMH® luminaires fitted with UV filters.

In the elevator corridor, custom concealed Q250 PAR38 halogen luminaires replace existing 250-watt and 400-watt metal halide ceiling fixtures. Custom wall brackets contain two different light sources: GE Q150DC halogen lamps uplight the tiled, stepped ceiling, providing a soft glow; and 26-watt Quad Biax® compact fluorescent lamps gently illuminate art glass panes and provide fill light. Both custom luminaire designs blend with the architectural themes and reveal the beauty of the space. To conserve energy and extend life, halogen sources are connected to a central, time-controlled dimming system.

The lighting design superbly reveals the grand architecture and style of the renovated Guardian Building. The tasteful combination of state-of-the-art ceramic metal halide technology with halogen and compact fluorescent sources provide cost-efficient operation and simple maintenance.

A prestigious panel of five judges selected this year's entry for its superiority in the following categories: functional excellence; architectural compatibility; effective use of state-of-the-art lighting products and techniques; appropriate color, form and texture revelation; energy effectiveness and cost effectiveness. This year's judges were: Jim Benya, PE, FIES, IALD, LC, IEEE, Benya Lighting Design; Nancy Clanton, PE, FIES, IALD, LC, LEED AP, Clanton & Associates; Dick Erdmann, GE Consumer & Industrial, Lighting; Morgan Gabler, IALD, IESNA, Gabler-Youngston; Pamela Hull Wilson, IALD, IESNA, PHW.