40 Under 40 Winners of the 2025 40 Under 40 awards - the 10th anniversary of the programme - were announced in an online ceremony this January.
In January of this year, the global lighting community celebrated the announcement of the winners of the 40 Under 40 Awards for 2025. Marking the 10th anniversary of the awards programme, the 40 under 40 Awards is designed to recognise both emerging talent and established names within the lighting industry, whose work, thinking, and ambition are shaping the future of the industry. Spearheaded by Light Collective, alongside sponsors Selux and Filix, the 40 Under 40 Awards has, since its launch, focused on designers at a pivotal stage in their careers – those pushing boundaries, asking new questions, and contributing to lighting design far beyond individual projects. The 2025 edition also reflects the growing diversity and global reach of the profession. The programme received 354 nominations, with 156 nominees from 33 countries submitting their work for consideration. The international span of the programme was also demonstrated through the global panel of judges – Carla Wilkins (Germany), Jeff Shaw (UK), Noemi Barbero (Spain), Guiseppe Simone (Australia), Paola Pietrantoni (USA), and Waleed Fakousa (UAE) who, following a rigorous review process, selected the 40 winners, representing a wide range of disciplines, geographies, and design approaches. The strength of the 40 Under 40 awards programme lies in its long-term impact; over the past decade, many former winners have gone on to lead studios, contribute to education, publish research, and influence the broader direction of lighting design worldwide. To mark the landmark anniversary of the 40 Under 40 Awards, a special celebration will take place at Light + Building in Frankfurt, Germany, on 9 March from 4-6pm at the Design Plaza in Hall 3.1. The session will begin by honouring the 2025 winners, followed by talks from past winners reflecting on their passion for light and their professional journeys. Drinks will follow, creating space for conversation and connection, with past winners especially encouraged to take part in this milestone event. Reflecting on the judging process, Noemi Barbero says: “It has been both exciting and challenging to witness such remarkable talent, reflecting a new generation of lighting professionals: thoughtful, rigorous, and deeply committed to exploring light in all its dimensions. The future of lighting design is bright!” Paola Pietrantoni adds: “I truly admire all the participants for their outstanding skills, professional passion, and the energy they bring
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