Gottesman Associates is an award-winning Lighting Design practice that has experience in most building sectors. Our projects include notable heritage/historic buildings, houses of worship, urban spaces, transportation, landscape, commercial, residential, retail, institutional, theatre, gallery, and custom luminaire design.
Gottesman Associates was founded by Deborah Gottesman in 1999 with the intent to provide lighting intelligence and advanced design solutions tailor-made to each project. A registered electrical engineer with an MBA in Real Property, Deborah's approach is informed by the wide ranging roles that she has held within engineering, design, manufacturing and educational settings.
"At Gottesman Associates, we balance all facets of light to reflect the lighting priorities that are unique to each client and project."
Collectively we have almost a century of experience in the lighting industry. We have been published and regularly teach at universities, colleges, and the building industry all around the world. Gottesman Associates drafted the explanatory material for the Lighting chapter in the Canadian Energy Code for Buildings (NRC, 2011), and was retained by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) for Daylight Design and the re-lighting of their headquarters with the goal of Net Zero.
We are passionate about good lighting, excited by difficult challenges, and driven by excellence. We work closely with our clients to bring their vision to light.
"We loved working with you and are recommending you to everyone"-J&K T.
"We rely on your expertise to get this done professionally. Based on your report and what I saw, everything you promised was achieved and we saw a huge difference. Our onsite people will be very happy with the new lighting and controls. Job well done!"-Songyang Hu, P.Eng., CEM, Energy Manager, Facilities Management at University Health Network (Toronto General, Western & Princess Margaret Hospitals)
"Gottesman made an effort to really understand the spaces, some quite complex, in order to optimize sunlight and integrate artificial light. The lighting design solution in each case is energy efficient, functional and attractive. Terrific work."-David Fujiwawa, Principal, David Fujiwara Architect
"Your lighting design has transformed our space into one of the preferred event venues in the GTA. We are thrilled with your work, not only did you deliver what you promised on time and on budget but you were also a pleasure to work with."-Lillian Cornfield, Director of Administration, Beth Tikvah Synagogue
"The relationship of the ceiling with the heritage space still impresses and that is in no small part due to the lighting."-Elie Newman, OAA, MRAIC, Principal, BNKC Architecture + Urban Planning
"Deborah is not only a talented lighting designer, but an engineer. Her firm's contribution to our project was an important part of its success."-Sheena Sharp, OAA, F.RAIC, Principal, Coolearth Architecture inc.
"Deborah's thoughtful and creative approach (to the site lighting for the John Street Roundhouse and associated buildings) has succeeded in both celebrating the heritage character (of this 1930's steam engine repair building) as well as creating a remarkably distinctive night time presence in Toronto's already well lit downtown."-Don Loucks, OAA, MRAIC, CAHP, LEED AP, Associate, IBI Group
"Deborah's professional input into the lighting design on the Union Station Revitalization Project helped us achieve the design excellence required for such an important heritage building."-Joe Moro, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP, Senior Design Architect, Norr Limited
"Gottesman Associates...really helped us in identifying lighting solutions that worked for us...geared to our specific needs and situation."-Ed Rubinstein, Director, Environmental Compliance, Energy & Sustainability at University Health Network (Toronto General, Western & Princess Margaret Hospitals)
"Deborah was a great help, her critical thinking and sense of the practical nature of lighting...demonstrated her devotion to quality."-John Corless, Vice President Store Planning & Construction, Indigo Books & Music Inc.
"You helped us maintain a good relationship with demanding clients tempering budget with technical acuity and aesthetics...results were pleasing, budgets were met and clients are happy. You made our work easier and we are grateful."-Les Mitelman, P.Eng., Executive Director, LKM & Partners Inc.
"I highly recommend Gottesman Associates for their professional approach in both design and guidance with installation, and thank them for enhancing our property and improving the security of our home."-S&D S., Pickering Ontario
"Gottesman Associates was a creative force behind our renovation and did fantastic lighting design work on both the interiors and exterior. Recommend them highly."-SB & GW
"Very much enjoyed working with Gottesman, who successfully actualized our vision and ideas."-R. Shiff, Shiff Family Offices
★ Award Winning Projects
Our Associates' experience also include theatres and concert halls, education facilities, hospitals, health clubs, offices, museums, high-end retail, entertainment/theme parks, public spaces, sports facilities, and hotels.