The 11th edition of the Light Middle East Awards celebrated excellence in lighting design and technology. Held on 16 January 2025 at The Ritz Carlton, DIFC, the event spotlighted those who contributed creativity, sustainability, and technological advancements. It brought together leading lighting designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and system integrators to honour achievements and shape the future of the industry.
Why participate at the Light Middle East Awards?
Global Recognition
Winners receive unparalleled recognition and popularity across the industry, marking their achievements on an international stage.
Innovation Showcase
The most reputed platform in the region to showcase your breakthroughs in lighting design and technology.
Networking Galore
Mingle with the who's who of the lighting world, from industry veterans to budding innovators, and expand your professional network.
Expert Judging Panel
Our awards are judged by a panel of esteemed experts, ensuring that innovation, sustainability, and design excellence are at the forefront of each decision.
Watch the 2025 Light Middle East Awards Highlights
Award Categories
Project of the Year
- Project of the Year - MEA
This category recognizes the best architectural lighting design for a completed project within the MEA region. Entrants must be designers and awards will be granted only to the team or teams that created the detailed design of the architectural lighting for the project that was submitted. The project must be a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after 1 July 2023.
- Project of the Year: International
This category recognizes the best in architectural lighting design for an iconic completed project outside of the MEA region. Entrants must be designers and awards will be granted only to the team or teams that created the detailed design of the architectural lighting for the project that was submitted. The project must be a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after 1 July 2023.
- Light Middle East Project of the Year
This category celebrates the best project of the year and one which has achieved the overall highest score from the judging panel, the Ultimate Award for 2025.
Product of the Year
- Product of the Year: Indoor
This category recognizes products that utilize innovative technology to produce high-value, high-performance indoor lighting solutions with outstanding design principles.
- Product of the Year: Outdoor
This category recognizes products that utilize innovative technology to produce high-value, high-performance outdoor lighting solutions with outstanding design principles.
- Product of the Year: Decorative
This category recognizes products that utilize specific designs to add ambient lighting in a variety of spaces and also turn a surface into something decorative. Products entered could be anything from Chandelier / Table Lamp / Wall Lamp / Bespoke etc..
- Intelligent Lighting Solution of the Year
This category recognizes innovation that includes all visible light communication, IoT, Li-fi, controls, IP-based systems, data management, guest room management systems, and smart city technologies.
- Peer Award
This is a public voting category and all shortlisted product entries are eligible to win. Voting is undertaken by the community online and also live at the exhibition until 14 Jan 2025.
Partner of the Year
- This category to be reviewed by the local judges recognizes manufacturers / suppliers / distributors, based across MEA who have demonstrated excellence in lighting, innovation and collaboration between project & design teams leading to successful lighting projects.
2025 Judging Chair
Martin Lupton
Co-founder, Light Collective UK
Sharon Stammers
Co-founder, Light Collective UK
2025 Judges – Projects (MEA) Category
Dr Emrah Baki Ulas
Associate Professor of Practice, University of Sydney and Associate at Steensen Varming
Eleftheria Deko
Founder, Eleftheria Deko and Associates Lighting Design
Frankie Boyle
Creative Director, Frankie Boyle Studio
Graham Rollins
Creative Director, Lighting Design International
Koert Vermeulen
Founder & Principal Designer, ACTLD
Konstantin Klaas
Director, Licht Kunst Licht Berlin
Lisa J. Reed
Principal, Reed Burkett Lighting Design
Sarvdeep Basur
Principal, Lucent Worldwide
Sophie O'Rourke
Senior Lighting Designer, AECOM
2025 Judges – Product, Projects (International) and Partner Categories
Amy Semple
Head of Dubai Studio, LDPi
Ahmed Bayashout
Founder, Design Director, Studio A
Christopher Lowe
Design Associate Director, Dirriyah
Erin Denkovska
Senior Associate, Delta Lighting
Faraz Izhar
Lead Lighting Designer, AE7
Giovanni Zambri
Project Design Director, SMITH TAIT
Iliana Zotou
Senior Lighting Designer, Nulty
Jamie R Watt
Director, Light Alliance
Jelena Lazarevic
Associate, Foundry Studio
Louise Santiago
Associate, dpa lighting consultants
Maria Dautant
Senior Associate, HLB Lighting
Nathan Savage
Design Director, Nathan Savage Lighting Design
Nonita Sabin
Associate Director, Neolight Global
Paula Cortes Castellanos
Head of Lighting Design Studio & Associate Director, WSP in the Middle East
Pauline Dibs
Senior Lighting Designer, UMAYA Lighting
Regina Santos
Founder & Design Director, Light Fusion Specialist Lighting
Courtney Mark
Design Director & Founder, Studio Mark Design
Sakina Dugawalla-Moeller
Founder & Design Director, Light.Func
Teresa Enroth
Associate Lighting Designer, Light Touch PLD
Vinod Pillai
Design Director, Studio Lumen
2025 Awards Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Category Sponsors
Strategic Partner
Join as a Sponsor
The Light Middle East Awards 2025 was more than just an awards program. It brought together the industry's best, celebrating achievements and inspiring future innovations in sustainable and creative lighting.
As the region's premier award for lighting professionals, the event set the standard for excellence in the industry.
For sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 event, contact us to maximise your brand's visibility.
FAQs
What is the event timeframe criteria required to be eligible for a 2025 award nomination?
The project must be a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after 1st July 2023
What is the deadline for submission?
The Light Middle East Awards 2025 submission deadline is 13th September 2024
When do I have to make the payment for my nomination?
Please ensure to register on the awards platform and choose the selected categories by the early bird rate deadline, i.e. 19th July 2024 to take advantage of the early bird rate. The payment can be made at submission, before the final entry deadline, i.e. 13th September 2024.
How are the entries judged?
The entries are evaluated by a panel of industry experts based on criteria outlined for each category. The process includes a review of the submitted materials.
How can I submit a nomination?
Submit your nomination through our official awards portal – Evalato.
Is it possible to modify my nomination after submission?
Entries can be edited only when in drafts mode. Once submitted, modifications cannot be made.
How do I attend the awards ceremony?
You will need to buy a ticket to attend the awards ceremony. Please contact the team at lightmeawards@uae.messefrankfurt.com
Is sponsorship available for the awards?
Yes, sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact the team at lightmeawards@uae.messefrankfurt.com
