The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) is now accepting project entries for its 36th International Lighting Design Awards. The early entry deadline is Oct. 2, 2018, 11:59 P.M. CST, and the final entry deadline HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO NOV. 19, 2018 is Nov. 5, 2018, 11:59 P.M. CST. Entries are only accepted via the online submission site.

“The IALD Awards program is designed to elevate the profile of lighting designers by recognizing exceptional architectural lighting design around the globe,” said David Ghatan, current IALD President, in a prepared statement. “Projects that win IALD Awards are remarkable examples of the many ways in which users experience spaces—as a result of lighting and of the visual atmospheres created by quality designs.”

The awards program is for architectural lighting design. While anyone may enter a project, awards will only be given to the team or teams that were responsible for the “…design of the architectural lighting for the project.” Entries must be work for “…a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after June 1, 2017.” Projects previously submitted can be re-entered so long as they still meet the date eligibility criteria.

The IALD encourages project entries “of all types and sizes.” The program does not have a defined number of awards that are bestowed. Projects evaluations use a point system to determine award level—Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit. Special Citations are awarded at the discretion of the jury, which is comprised of lighting design and architecture professionals, as are projects for the Sustainable Design Award category. The program’s highest honor is the Radiance Award, which is selected from the projects who have earned the Award of Excellence distinction and “…is judged among all submittals to be the finest example of lighting design excellence (based on the highest point score).”

Entry fees are as follows:

  • IALD Member rates: Early deadline: $90.00 (U.S.) per project; Final entry: $140.00 (U.S.)
  • Non-IALD member rates: Early deadline: $190.00 (U.S.) per project; Final entry: $240.00 (U.S.)

“We encourage projects of all sizes and scopes to enter,” said IALD Awards Chairperson Morgan Gabler. “What matters is that your project has a compelling story and makes a powerful impact on a space.”

The award-winning projects will be announced on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, during the 2019 IALD Education Trust Benefit Dinner and 36th Annual IALD International Lighting Design Awards Presentation in Philadelphia, held during Lightfair.

Send all questions regarding the IALD Awards programs to [email protected] or contact Kevin Wolfe, Senior Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at 312-527-3677.