Acuity’s Donna Sumner framed the evening. “Lighting is more than just illumination. It’s a language and it’s how we shape emotions, it’s how we guide experience, it’s how we elevate spaces we live, work, and dream,” Donna explained that it’s not about the number of lights or the lumens that they emit. It’s about the story that they tell.
Editor’s Note: The below are abbreviated quotes from the acceptance speeches. Your humble editor finds it interesting that the word humble, or a derivative of that word, was cited by 4 different award winners. It’s always refreshing to see a little humility.
Special Citation — Yale 100 College Street Renovations (SmithGroup)
Project. SmithGroup used color and concealed, indirect light to elevate a clinical environment. Curated reflectances expand the visual field under ceiling constraints while mitigating reflection and glare—creating welcoming research and clinical spaces.
On stage. Paige Donnell said, “Thank you to the IES for this award. We are completely humbled and grateful. I think this is an acknowledgement of how an integrated design process can really question and expand the boundaries of what lighting can do. We were able to take a traditional sterile environment… and really expand on what we could do in that space, and we really did truly empower discovery for researchers and occupants alike.”
IES25 Illumination Awards: Awards of Excellence
Introducing the Awards of Excellence, Megan Carroll centered the room: “The art, science and storytelling these awards are all about,” Megan said. “They’re presented to projects that are recognized for exceptional contributions to the art and science of light.”
Award of Excellence — “Wireless Light-Chase,” Gingy Lake, China (HG Lighting)
Project. A 15-kilometer intelligent route and a 3.5-kilometer interactive “light-chase” path use a WeChat mini-program, a digital twin, and a Bluetooth network to drive sub-2-meter positioning and multi-dimensional interactions—encouraging nighttime fitness along bridges and shoreline.
On stage. An HG Lighting representative said, “Thank you for the recognition. We will continue exploring the integration of Bluetooth intelligence and engaging a great connection between people, nature, and the city… honoring history with innovation. Thanks again.” She then presented Megan Carroll with a special coin which shows a 2500-year history on one side of the coin.
Award of Excellence — Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (Randy Burkett Lighting Design)
Project. Discreet luminaires in upper galleries and dome towers reveal the depth and texture of the mosaics—more than 22 million tiles—while docents use wireless controls to cue scenes that enhance tours.
On stage. Randy Burkett said, “We’d like to thank the IES for this recognition. We love what we do, and it’s nice that occasionally we’re celebrated. I think a project like this is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime project… We had over 300 instruments… individually focused. There were obstacles, but our goal was to reveal this interior.”
Award of Excellence — Historic Diriyah District, Riyadh (Speirs Major)
Project. A layered palette of soft rose-gold light articulates facades, streets, and courtyards, evoking lantern light on mud brick. Once a month, a gentle exterior cue marks the new moon and the lunar calendar.
On video. Keith Bradshaw said via video, “Hi IES, this is Keith Bradshaw from Speirs Major. I just want to say thank you—a huge thank you on behalf of the team—for this great award. This project was a labor of love for us for a few years… We are really, really pleased that it’s being recognized by such a high-quality award. Thanks again.”
Award of Excellence — Cook Children’s Medical Center Garage Drop-Off (Essential Light Design Studio)
Project. Two runs of curved, bar-shaped panels immerse the drop-off in gently shifting color. The gesture redirects attention, clarifies wayfinding to valet, and reduces anxiety at the earliest point of arrival.
On stage. An Essential Light representative said, “On behalf of Essential Light Design Studio, I’m honored to accept this award… Essential Light is celebrating 20 years. This project is a testament to the power of light… Positive visual distractions are not only reserved for air-conditioned spaces of hospitals, but can be extended to the journey from stepping out from your car… We’re thrilled at the reports of kids wanting to dance along with the lights at the drop-off area.” A second speaker added, “The client did not ask for a glitzy garage. We had a real problem to solve… they were concerned that people would simply not know what to do… It was lighting to the rescue. The waves of light literally allowed the building to provide a gracious gesture—‘Come this way. You’re going to the right place.’ We’re very proud of the result.”
Award of Excellence — Enchanted Forest of Light, Descanso Gardens (Lightswitch)
Project. Warm walkway lighting anchors wayfinding while color gently enhances canopies, glowing flora, stream banks, and sculpture. Low-glare fixtures and non-intrusive temporary gear protect plantings and support nightly attendance.
On stage. A Lightswitch representative said, “Thank you so much. Thank you to IES and the Illumination Awards judges, and thank you to ETC for sponsoring this brand-new category. It’s so great to be here with people who understand the emotional connection that light has. Immersive experiences don’t just illuminate spaces. They create emotional connections and lasting memories that inspire audiences… We’re so proud to create that every night.”
Award of Excellence — BMO Convention Centre Canopy & Pavilion, Calgary (Eos Lightmedia)
Project. Blackened-steel panels with custom perforations and concealed light boxes recall prairie light and craft. Linear openings and programmed scenes—embers, wind over wheat, dusk on metal—create a civic nighttime identity.
On stage. Beau Cooper said, “First I want to thank the IES and judges for recognizing this project…This award really is a testament to years of close collaboration. We were lucky to have team members who grew up there and helped inform the concept. We came up with 39 unique perforation patterns… roughly 150 variations of openings and light effects, done through light-ray studies. The theme moves from a fire pit to wheat fields. We’re really happy to be here at the IES. Thank you.”
IES25 Illumination Awards: Awards of Distinction
Introducing the next tier, Amanda Schaneman said, “An Illumination Award of Distinction goes to projects recognized for extraordinary achievement in lighting design.”
Award of Distinction — Luce Memorial Chapel, Taichung (CosmoC Lighting Ltd.)
Project. Indirect interiors, reflective surfaces, and smart controls support worship, meditation, and exhibitions, while exterior accents preserve the chapel’s nighttime presence with minimal spill.
On stage. Ching-Yu Lin said, “Good evening everyone. It’s truly humbling to stand here tonight. Thank you to the IES and the jury for recognizing a project… We are honored and grateful. We turned restraint into poetry… with a client who believed that light could speak more deeply… and with a lighting technician who walked under the stars helping the chapel glow gently from within. Finally, to my wife… you stayed and made this possible. Design honors both place and people. Thank you.” The crowd did not wait for him to finish his remarks. The applauding began when he got a bit choked up mentioning his wife.
Award of Distinction — “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams,” Saudi National Museum (Lightemotion)
Project: Concealed LED layers define volumes and circulation. Low-voltage, high-CRI fixtures (1–6 W) with UV filtration sculpt textiles under a strict 50-lux limit—balancing intimacy and grandeur while protecting artifacts.
On video. François Roupinian accepted the award over video, saying, “First, I’d like to apologize we’re not with you tonight… it was impossible for us to come this week. Thank you to the IES for this beautiful prize. It’s our second award two years in a row… This project is a great demonstration of how we mix architectural lighting… with museum lighting where every object has to deliver the lux. I’m very blessed to have such an amazing team across Toronto and Montreal. Thank you to our clients for their confidence… and to the exhibit designer who brought us on this project. We’re forever grateful.”
Award of Distinction — Seattle Convention Center, Summit Building (HLB Lighting Design)
Project: Seattle Convention Center Summit Building. A vertical convention model layers warm wood and precise optics. Digitally addressable projectors and robust controls deliver flexibility, while daylight-responsive sensors and integrated LEDs drive performance. This job was featured in the June 2025 edition of designing lighting (dl) magazine.
On stage. Teal Brogden said, “I’d like to thank everybody at the IES for putting together an incredible conference and awards event. (When she said that, the crowed erupted in applause.). Our industry welcomes people of all kinds… and it really does celebrate storytelling. I also want to give a special thanks to Paul Marantz… my very first professional mentor.” Michael Lindsey added, “I want to start by thanking our architectural partners. It’s really humbling to be here.”
Award of Distinction — Sydney Metro Martin Place Pedestrian Link Tunnel (Electrolight)
Project. A former services link becomes a 70-meter immersive connector. A subtle white “carpet” meets a dynamic upper cylinder; benches and booms conceal systems, while soundscapes and interactivity create a brief escape between platforms.
On video. Donn Salisbury of Electrolight said, “We are incredibly grateful for this award and the honor that it carries. It was really a side project that came about from a larger scope and presented itself as a beautiful blank canvas. The client gave us a huge amount of freedom to explore different ideas… The project is referred to here with an Indigenous word—‘path of life.’ It is just such a sensational space to be in. Recognition at the end makes it that much more rewarding.”
In closing, Jana said, “Congratulations once again to all of tonight’s honorees. Your projects are truly inspiring.” With Megan and Amanda keeping tempo, the night stayed focused on what matters most: the people, the places, and the light that connects them.
