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SERVICES

Kugler Ning Lighting is a top, award-winning, New York City architectural lighting design firm. The majority of our clients and projects are located in the New York City area, but our work spans North America and abroad. We collaborate with owners, architects and designers to enhance visual hierarchy and bring focus to each project with lighting.

We provide lighting design services for:

Sustainable Projects

Workplace

corporate
law
media
technology
videoconferencing

Lifestyle

event spaces
hospitality
residence
restaurant
retail and showroom

Real Estate Development

commercial
residential
amenity
lobby
masterplan design

Exterior

facade
park
plaza
site

Public and Private

historic restoration
museum and gallery
religious institution
school and university

We offer a full scope of services from schematic design through the construction phase. In addition to luminaire specifications, shop drawing review and lighting drawings, our services include production of meticulous working details for custom fixtures and mock-ups. Staff skills include AutoCAD, AGI, and Revit. Our team approach allows us to produce cost effective designs in a timely and efficient manner.

PEOPLE

Principals, studio directors, senior associates, project managers, and designers combine their creative energies to produce award winning lighting designs. Backgrounds in architecture, interior design, and theater provide our staff with a unique knowledge base. Senior staff members have a combined total of over forty years’ experience in the lighting profession. Acutely sensitive to client requirements, our designs synthesize architecture and performance. The proposed team will work closely together and will collectively be responsible for design, documentation, and construction administration.

Kugler Ning Lighting is certified as a Minority Owned Business Enterprise in New York State.

JERRY KUGLER

PRINCIPAL, FOUNDER IALD / IES

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Jerry Kugler founded the company in 1983. He has received over twenty awards for his work and has lectured throughout the country. Mr. Kugler’s designs have been featured in numerous architectural and lighting publications. He has served as an International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) awards committee chairperson and as a judge for the New York section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). Mr. Kugler is a corporate member of IALD, member of IES, and associate member of the AIA. He taught lighting design to graduate students at Princeton University – School of Architecture from 1987 to 2006. Mr. Kugler has also taught at Parsons / New School. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a master’s Degree in architecture. In 2019, Mr. Kugler received an honorarium at Washington University known as the “Laskey Charrette.”

Jerry is currently overseeing Bank of America Pavilion and Carnegie Hall Café both located in New York City and Raclin Murphy Museum of Art located in Notre Dame Indiana.

Jerry was recently the recipient of the 2018 National IES Award of Excellence and the 2018 IESNYC Award of Merit for his work on McKim, Mead & White Main Dining Room Restoration in New York. He is also the recipient of the 2017 National IES Award of Merit for his work on SONY Corporation of America located in New York City and the IESNA 2015 Award of Distinction for Yale Sterling Memorial Library Restoration, New Haven, CT.

JACKSON NING II

PRINCIPAL, PRESIDENT IES

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Jackson Ning II began his lighting career at Emory University where he studied theatrical lighting, set design and sound design. The theater provided a hands-on experience to learn the emotional effects of lighting, dynamics of changing light and the effects of colored light.

After he received a BA in Economics from Emory, Jackson, born and raised in NYC, returned home to design and manage architectural lighting projects. Current projects include offices for Bank of America and Deerfield both located in New York City and Resorts World Casino Expansion in Queens.

Jackson was recently the recipient of the 2020 National IES Award of Merit for his work on Intersect by Lexus, NYC. He was also the recipient of two 2018 National IES Awards of Merit for his work on Four Seasons, Houston and Samsung 837, NYC. Additional awards include two 2017 National IES Awards of Merit for his work on Time Inc. Headquarters, NYC and Paul Hastings offices, NYC and a 2016 National IES Award of Merit for his work on One Hotel South Beach, Miami.

AMBER MORIARTY

PRINCIPAL IES

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Amber Moriarty joined Kugler Ning Lighting in 2006 after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Cazenovia College, where she studied interiors and architectural lighting. Amber became Principal in 2017. She has managed the day to day workflow of the studio and has also been the lead project manager for multiple projects, such as Carnegie Hall Masterplan and Facade, Paul Hastings NYC Offices, Nomura Holdings Americas NYC Headquarters, Temple Beth-El, Chappaqua and Proenza Schouler Soho.

Amber has been presented numerous lighting awards throughout her career. She recently received the 2024 National IES Award of Merit for her work on Dream Charter School. Amber has also received the 2017 National IES Award of Merit for her work on Paul Hastings, the 2015 IESNYC and IESNA Award of Excellence for Carnegie Hall Façade, and the 2014 National IES Merit Award for Proenza Schouler Soho.

MICHELE CLEMENT

PRINCIPAL

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Michele Clement moved to New York City after graduating from LSU with a Bachelor’s in interior design to pursue a career in architectural lighting design. Michele has been a leader in the industry for over 20 years, devoted to incorporating the technical and scientific aspects of lighting to an aesthetic consciousness within her projects. In 2023, Michele relocated to Florida and opened a KNL office in Miami. Some of her recently completed projects include Fotografiska NYC, Tribune Tower in Chicago, TD Securities at 1 Vanderbilt, MR C Residences in Miami and UPenn Meeting and Guest House.

Michele was a visiting professor for the MFA program for Lighting at Pratt Institute. She is a past recipient of National IES Lumen and IALD Awards for recognition of her previous projects prior to joining KNL in 2015. She recently received the IESNYC Lumen Award of Excellence, LIT Award and National IES Award of Excellence for Fotografiska NYC.

ASHLEY MOENCH

PRINCIPAL

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Ashley Moench graduated from Cazenovia College in Upstate New York with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design in 2007. Shortly thereafter, she moved to New York and joined Kugler Ning Lighting as a designer. Over the past 16 years, Ashley has worked her way up in the company, becoming a Principal in 2017. She has had the privilege to work on a variety of projects – corporate offices, flagship stores, five-star hotels, high-end residential homes, and experience centers – which have both increased her knowledge base and appreciation for this specialized craft. She recently completed Four Seasons Hotel and Mara Restaurant in Minneapolis and a law office in New Jersey. She is currently overseeing Morgan Stanley Headquarters in New York, Hospital for Special Surgery in New Jersey, as well as corporate offices across the country for Corient Holdings.

Ashley recently received the 2024 National IES Award of Merit for her work on Dream Charter School. She has also received an IESNY 2023 Lumen Award Citation for her work on Willis Tower Repositioning, and National IES Awards of Merit for a number of projects in New York, including Samsung 837, Paul Hastings LLP, and Proenza Schouler SOHO.

BURR RUTLEDGE

PRINCIPAL IALD / IES

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Burr Rutledge is passionate about transforming architectural spaces and the human experience with the creative use of light. After more than fifteen years in practice in New York City, he joined Kugler Ning Lighting in 2013 and became Principal in 2017. He holds a Master of Science Lighting and a Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Burr served for over ten years on both the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Energy and Sustainability Committee and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) technical papers committee. Burr is currently overseeing a variety of projects, including the historic facade, exterior amenities, and ultra-luxury residential spaces at the Landmarked Waldorf Astoria in New York City; a premier jazz venue in Harlem; and a bourbon experience center in Kentucky.

Burr was recently the recipient of the 2024 LIT Design Award of Merit, 2023 IESNY Lumen Citation, and 2023 IES National Award of Merit for the Willis Tower Repositioning; the 2021 National IES Award of Merit for renovation of the Benjamin Franklin library at The Penn Club New York City; and the 2021 IESNY Award of Merit and the 2020 National IES Award of Merit for a Confidential Financial Headquarters that included a cutting-edge dynamic lighting system designed for enhanced circadian performance. Other notable projects Burr has contributed to in his career have included lobbies in Rockefeller Center and in the Chrysler Building, a rooftop garden terrace at Radio City Music Hall, and renovations within the U.S. Capitol and its grounds in Washington, DC.

MELANNIE MCCLOKSEY

PRINCIPAL, OPERATIONS

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Melannie McCloskey moved to New York City and joined Kugler Ning Lighting in 2013 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Northern Arizona University. Over the years she has worked on a wide variety of projects, including 443 Greenwich, a residential development in Greenwich Village, workplace floors for New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, Laduree in New York City and Washington DC and Illumina Experience Center in San Diego, CA.

She became focused on the business aspects of lighting design and in 2015 became Marketing Director. In 2019, Melannie made the move back to southern California, where she grew up.

In 2021 Melannie became Principal and took charge of Operations for KNL. She manages the RFP process, qualifications and contracts. Melannie also handles invoicing and accounts receivables. For marketing, she oversees project photography, award submissions, press releases, social media, and the company website.

ANNA AMES

SENIOR ASSOCIATE, STUDIO DIRECTOR

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Anna Ames embarked on her lighting career at NYU Tisch Production and Design Studio, graduating with honors and a BFA in Drama with a focus in lighting in 2015. She seamlessly transitioned into architectural lighting design to pursue her passion for using light to create captivating and beautiful spaces that people live and work in.

In 2018, Anna joined KNL and became a Senior Associate, Studio Director in 2024, drawing upon her nine years of industry experience to ensure the success of notable projects. Throughout her tenure at KNL, Anna has demonstrated an aptitude for project management and an ability to foster seamless communication channels both internally and with external project design teams.

With experience comprising over 25 successfully executed projects, Anna is known for her meticulous attention to detail in all project phases. Presently, she spearheads two monumental corporate office fit outs, each over 400,000 square feet, while concurrently overseeing the progress of ten additional projects at various stages of development.

Anna was recently the recipient of the 2021 National IES Award of Merit for her work on The Penn Club Benjamin Franklin Room located in New York City.

CLIENTS

Our prestigious clients include:

AWARDS

Throughout the firm’s history, we have been presented with numerous lighting and design awards.

More Awards

Buffalo/WNY AIA Design Award 2017 Interior Design Magazine 'Best of' Winner for Hotel Transformation 2017 SARA NY Design Award 2017 National IES Merit Award 2017 AIA New York Interior Architecture Merit Award 2017 National IES Merit Award 2016 Hotel Interiors Winner of 2016 Hospitality Design Award's Luxury / Upscale Public Spaces Beach Hotel Global Winner of the Americas & International Property Award 2016 KNL-2015-IESNYC4 KNL-2015-IESNYC3 KNL-2015-IESNYC2 KNL-2015-IESMerit KNL-2015-IESExcellence3 KNL-2015-IESExcellence2 KNL-2015-AIA2 KNL-2014-IntDesignMag4 KNL-2014-IntDesignMag3 KNL-2014-IES2 KNL-2014-AIAPhilly KNL-2008-AIARegional KNL-2005-GEEdison KNL-2003-IIDA KNL-2003-IESLumen KNL-2002-IIDA KNL-2002-IESLumen

HISTORY

Our company was founded in 1983 by Jerry Kugler. Born, raised, and still a resident of Brooklyn, Jerry is passionate about architecture. Under Jerry’s leadership, our firm has collaborated with acclaimed architecture and design firms to help shape New York City as we know it today. His recent work includes the masterplan and façade lighting for Carnegie Hall, as well as several developments around the World Trade Center site including the glass entrance Pavilion and the Wintergarden at the World Financial Center, now known as Brookfield Place. Other noteworthy projects include Zuccotti Park, the Nomura Headquarters and Yale University’s historic renovation of the Sterling Memorial Library.

Jackson Ning II joined the firm in 2003 and became Principal in 2007. Jackson’s talent for management has helped grow the firm to the size that it is today. The firm is organized to maintain high quality designs on projects of all sizes and to remain nimble to meet demanding schedules. Some of Jackson’s noteworthy projects are the LEED Platinum, Hearst Tower Offices, the Nobu restaurant in Doha, Bayer Headquarters, the Proenza Schouler Store in SoHo, and the Skylark Rooftop Bar and Lounge.

OUR APPROACH

Lighting renders all materials visible. We shall engage the design team and set expectations for how lighting can support the look and feel of a project. We shall identify lighting opportunities that enhance the architecture, finishes and products and help the lighting fulfill its function over the life of the project.

Ownership: There is no market that is as sophisticated, demanding and unforgiving as the New York City market. We work hard to integrate, share ownership and responsibility at all levels of staff within our studio so that we can provide a highly technical design that is consistently well-executed.

Collaboration: We understand the concepts and details of other designers’ work and can apply their goals creatively to a choice of appropriate lighting design solutions.

Integration: We find that design success occurs when lighting integrates seamlessly into the environment and spaces are memorable and feel effortlessly illuminated.