It has been a while since I last blogged, the last time was way before Covid struck! Now that we have created this dedicated Light Talk website, i am keen to pick up where i left and upload some blogs just sharing my thoughts on subjects in our lighting industry. Just see how I go…I am in a different stage of my career right now and one of the key aspects of it is take things easy, take away the pressure. So, while I may target to post something once a week, it may not be that regular

Today the subject is lighting awards. There are several reasons why this is at the forefront of my thoughts this week. First, because two of my recent projects in Australia, Cape Mentelle in Margaret River and Enex Mall facade lighting in Perth were shortlisted for the local IES WA awards (I received a notification from the judges that they were actually going to visit the site for final scoring), and second because I am personally involved with the creation of some new lighting design awards (can’t say much more about it due to confidentiallity).

My main bone with most of the awards today is that it has become a money generating event, where generally beautiful pictures (photoshopped or not) will nearly guarantee you an award. Sometimes you can just simply buy your award! I know, I am generalising, but you get my point. There is often little educational value in the awards, and most of the time little explanation of what actually were the key criteria that won a particular project an award. When project submissions are judged by your peers in the industry at least there is some built in value, but many of today’s awards are not.

I know what I am talking about as I have been a judge (and still am) on several international award competitions. If you get to judge remotely with limited background information about the project it is not an easy task and most of all a very time consuming task. So for the IES WA to come out and physically go to site to assess the lighting is great. Getting reviewed and judged by your peers or related experts in the industry (like architects for instance) is even greater. Getting an award should be on real merit and excellence, adjudicated against detailed criteria that can set apart a real award-winning project that advances the quality of lighting design within our built environment, rather than just being a beautiful photo…

Would love to hear from your experiences when it comes to lighting awards!