Architects and designers worth their salt acknowledge that lighting design — when thoughtfully executed — can greatly enhance their projects, from focal interior walls and temporary installations to massive structures and façades. Perhaps that’s why the annual Lumen Awards, founded by the Illuminating Engineering Society’s New York City chapter (IESNYC) to celebrate excellence in lighting design, has become an increasingly significant awards program in our industry. In fact, a record-breaking number of lighting and design professionals (nearly 900 reportedly) attended the 49th annual Lumen Gala in Manhattan last month to honor 10 projects at three levels.