Proxima's IES Global Illumination Award of Lighting Control 2025 - Kelowna Bernald Block

Proxima Lighting Solutions is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Global Illumination Award of Merit by Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) for its Bernard Block Façade Lighting Control project in Kelowna, BC. 

About the Project 

Commissioned in September 2024, the Bernard Block is a mixed-use complex in downtown Kelowna featuring a 34-story residential tower, a 17-story office building, and a 6-story podium. Proxima Lighting Solutions was responsible for designing and delivering the façade lighting control system. All fixtures were supplied by Proxima’s sister company, Premier Custom Lighting and Décor. 

The system features a range of lighting elements, including color-changing spotlights, uplights, and wall washers that reflect indigenous-inspired themes. These elements work together to create a visually engaging landmark while maintaining strict controls on light trespass and energy use. 

Design and Features 

The lighting control system supports both routine and special event scenarios. It is programmed to reflect seasonal and cultural themes, such as red and green for Christmas or green for St. Patrick’s Day. The system is operated by a trained team and includes remote programming capabilities for major events. 

A modular Distributed Control System (DCS) was implemented to manage cabling, drivers, dimmers, relays, and local control panels. It includes real-time and astronomical scheduling to minimize manual intervention and reduce energy consumption. 

Award Significance 

The Global IES Illumination Awards celebrate outstanding projects that exemplify originality, technical achievement, and strong visual impact in lighting design. Typha was recognized for its innovative integration of technical solutions, artistic enhancement, and sustainable design practices, reviewed by an expert jury of lighting professionals from diverse disciplines.