In Memoriam: Howard Brandston

Lighting legend Howard Brandston, formerly of New York City and Claverack, N.Y., died on Friday, February 24 from Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 87 years old.

Howard graduated from Brooklyn College in 1957 and later founded H.M. Brandston & Partners in New York City in 1966, one of the first architectural lighting design firms (now Brandston Partnership or BPI). Over a career spanning 50+ years, he became one of the most recognized lighting designers in the world. He completed more than 2,500 projects globally and is best known for the relighting of the Statue of Liberty in 1986.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Melanie (Manning); his brother, Andrew; and his children Perry, Lori, Sarah, and Raj; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The sad news was relayed to the lighting industry, by Robert Prouse, Howard’s long-time business associate and retired partner at Brandston Partnership Inc., who wrote, “It is my sad duty to tell you all that Howard Brandston passed away peacefully this afternoon, after a few days in hospice care. For those that didn’t know him, he was a towering figure in architectural lighting design. He was a founding member of the IALD, Past President of the IESNA, and recipient of MANY awards. Memorial service tentatively scheduled for NYC in May.”