Los Círculos Wins Beacon Award

We’re honored to announce that Los Círculos has received the Beacon Award of Excellence for Lighting Design of an Experiential Project. Now in its second year, the Beacon Awards honor outstanding achievements in lighting. At the ceremony at Sony Hall on October 29, we celebrated this remarkable achievement and toasted to the ten other winners.

The jury noted that Los Círculos “is a fun, joyful installation that defines the space through light.” Jury members included Kana Ahn, CetraRuddy; Chris Cooper, SOM; Erin Dreyfous, Studio DXD; Ellen Fisher, PhD/NYSID; Mary Ann Hoag, Mary Ann Hoag Lighting Design; Jackson Ning, Kugler Ning; and Eileen Pierce, Pierce Lighting Studio.

On view through July 2026 at Plaza de las Americas and David Friedland Square, Los Círculos is inspired by how people form circles for dancing, celebration, and gathering. This multi-site lighting installation aims to increase a sense of joy, unity, and belonging in Washington Heights. Los Círculos is designed by Marvel and produced by Community League of the Heights (CLOTH) and Van Alen Institute, in collaboration with a coalition of neighborhood organizations and design experts.

The full project team includes:

• Producers: Community League of the Heights, Van Alen Institute
• Designer: Marvel
• Lighting Designer: Buro Happold
• Structural Engineer: TYLin
• Fabricator: A05 Studio
• Community Partners: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, United Palace
• City Partners: NYC Department of Small Business Services, NYC Department of Transportation, NYC Department of Parks