This September, we say goodbye to a colleague, mentor, and friend, Andrew Munro, Senior Electrical Designer, who is retiring after 31 years at Prism.
If you’ve had the chance to work with Andrew, you know he’s more than his job title, he’s a trusted advisor, a practical problem-solver, and one of the leading authorities in lighting and electrical systems auditing and design in British Columbia. His work has not only shaped the careers of many young designers at Prism but also positioned us as a respected firm in the field.
Andrew joined Prism just seven months after Casey Gaetz, Electrical Team Principal. Together, they laid the foundation of our Electrical team, driving innovation that continues to benefit our clients and communities. Over the decades, their collaboration led to innovations like custom tools for electrical evaluation and specifications for low-voltage lighting control systems, solutions that have supported smarter design decisions, improved building performance, and set new standards for energy-conscious engineering across BC.
Left to right: Brian O’Donnell, Founder, Casey Gaetz, Principal,
Andrew Munro and Robert Greenwald, President.
Making an impact through design
Throughout his career, Andrew contributed to countless projects that brought him excitement and professional fulfillment. Among the most meaningful were his long-standing work with Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, where he played a central role in delivering lighting upgrades, conducting reviews, and setting standards across dozens of buildings and sites.
These projects spanned decades and allowed Andrew to collaborate with diverse teams to solve complex challenges and improve energy efficiency on a large scale. He also played key roles in award-winning projects like the Richmond Olympic Oval Event Hall Lighting Upgrade and the Vancouver Convention Centre Exhibition Areas Lighting Upgrade, both recognized in 2019.
The ‘Ballroom’ at the Vancouver Convention Centre and basketball courts at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
A philosophy of work
What set Andrew apart was his thoughtful and disciplined philosophy of work. He often reminded colleagues that “you’re only as good as your last project,” a mantra that kept him striving for excellence on every assignment and delivering consistent value to clients.
“You need to have fun with the work, experiment, and stay disciplined. Technology can give you clues, but you also must learn to trust your instincts,” he says. For him, projects were never just about technical results—they were about curiosity, growth, and creating meaningful outcomes for people and places.
“Backed by solid engineering practices, Andrew brings together the ability to look at issues from a practical perspective. He has been able to show clients the practical nature of designs and how they are best suited to meet their needs,” says Casey. “Andrew also has had a sharp eye for documentation, always ensuring every detail is clear so clients understand exactly what their projects require and can move forward with confidence,” he adds.
Andrew at Prism’s first office on Hastings Street,
Burnaby, sometime in the mid 1990s.
Dedication to clients
Andrew’s devotion and unwavering commitment to client success have been a hallmark of his career.
“Andrew has always been dedicated to looking after clients, making sure the right solutions are chosen and that installations meet both best practices and code. His commitment to doing what’s best for clients has set a high standard for our team,” says Robert Greenwald, President of Prism Engineering.
Looking ahead
Outside of work, Andrew is always chasing new challenges, from Tae-Kwon-Do to motorcycling. In retirement, he plans to continue exploring his family history, with hopes of uncovering new stories on a trip back to the United Kingdom.
From all of us at Prism: Thank you, Andrew, for more than three decades of client-focused design, technical excellence, and mentorship. You’ve left buildings, teams, and clients stronger, smarter, and more sustainable—and that’s a legacy worth celebrating!
Andrew looking cool for the camera.
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Interested to learn more about Andrew’s work at Prism?
30 Years of Bright Ideas: A Chat with Andrew Munro
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