Lutron congratulates Jonathan Speirs and Associates Ltd on a brilliant achievement.

At this year's 19th Annual International Design Awards program, the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) bestowed its highest honour, the Award of Excellence, upon Jonathan Speirs, Gavin Fraser and Carrie Donahue Bremner of Jonathan Speirs and Associates Ltd.

The team's innovative work on the Gateshead Millennium Bridge integrated pioneering construction with a unique lighting design. Creating the first tilting bridge of its kind in the world and a visual spectacle unrivalled in the North-East of England.

As a result the team were able to add to an already impressive list of awards, which includes the Royal Fine Arts Commission Building of the Year, the IESNA International Illumination Design Awards 'Award of Distinction' and the Outdoor Design Trophy, for the lighting, in the Scottish Design Awards.

Jonathan Speirs and Associates Ltd wanted a highly sophisticated lighting control solution for the Millennium Bridge, Lutron's GRAFIK Eyes[R] 4000 was chosen as part of the integrated system because of its advanced dimming and switching capabilities. The results speak for themselves as the bridge cycles effortlessly through a spectrum of colours.

At weekends the bridge may shimmer from green to blue to red. On weeknights it glows with more traditional colours. The resultant display is beautiful and the engineering behind it is equally breathtaking.