In Memoriam Paul Marantz
Paul Marantz, FIALD IES
Founder, Consulting Design Principal
Fisher Marantz Stone
Visionary of Light, Lover of Craft
A 10-year-old Paul Marantz discovered the magic of illumination during a marionette workshop, and launched a lifelong love of theater. At just 11, he built a model theatre – complete with its own lighting system – foreshadowing a lifetime dedicated to shaping space and emotion through light.
By the age of 13, Paul was lighting modern dance recitals, then later his undergraduate studies were completely devoted to the theater. Graduate studies in stage and lighting design coincided with his early professional work as lead designer for a Cleveland theatre company and opera productions at The Berkshire Music Festival (Tanglewood).
Paul’s New York journey began at Lighting Services, Inc., where – despite not being formally trained as an engineer – he served as Chief Engineer. He then directed research and development at Century/Strand Lighting.
In 1971, Paul and collaborator Jules Fisher co-founded what would become Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS), a studio that would leave its mark on architectural lighting design and its future. Their partnership shaped skylines, museums, concert halls, and sacred spaces – telling stories in light.
A half-century of award-winning work includes the Tribute in Light memorial in New York, honoring the victims of 9/11; Radio City Music Hall and the Times Square Ball; the Getty Center in Los Angeles; the Byzantine Fresco Chapel at the Menil Collection in Houston; Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai, UAE; and Studio 54.
Paul Marantz’s legacy is one of vision, determination, and beauty. He brought to light not only spaces, but generations of professionals who had the honor of working beside him. His curiosity, generosity, and boundless creativity will continue to inspire generations of designers, engineers, and artists to come.
