Excellence in architectural lighting design took the stage at the 42nd Annual IALD International Lighting Design Awards. The prestigious ceremony, attended by over 200 professionals from the lighting community, was held at the Sahara Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This year’s competition recognized 19 outstanding lighting design projects spanning eight countries, with thirteen winning projects featuring IALD members on their design teams.
Established in 1983, the IALD Awards program remains the lighting design profession’s longest-running and highest honor, recognizing work that reaches new heights, moves beyond the ordinary, and represents excellence in aesthetic and technical design.
As the 2025 IALD Awards Chairperson, Uno Lai, IALD, CLD, hosted the awards presentation and served as master of ceremonies for the evening.
“Our winners represent the pinnacle of lighting design creativity and technical execution,” Lai said. “The diversity of projects from across the globe demonstrates how lighting design continues to evolve and enhance our built environment in meaningful ways.”
Australian studio Electrolight takes home the 2025 IALD Radiance Award
The night’s highest honor, the 2025 IALD Radiance Award for Excellence in Lighting Design, was presented to “Muru Giligu – Metro Martin Place Pedestrian Link,” an innovative Australian project designed by the Sydney studio Electrolight. The project stood out for its exceptional integration of lighting design with architecture, creating a transformative experience for pedestrians in this urban environment.
The ceremony featured 14 award recipients accepting their honors on stage to enthusiastic applause from industry peers. The winning projects showcased a variety of applications, from places of worship and cultural institutions to commercial developments and hospitality venues.
As the evening concluded with music and merriment, the assembled guests were reminded that the call for entries in the 2026 awards cycle will open in early June. This will allow interested design firms to submit for consideration for the 43rd annual iteration, culminating in a presentation ceremony in March 2026 at Light + Building in Frankfurt, Germany.
