New York City, April 16, 2026 – The Illuminating Engineering Society of New York City (IESNYC) is proud to announce the winners of the 25th annual IESNYC Student Lighting Competition, marking a milestone year for a program that continues to inspire and connect the next generation of lighting designers.
Shaun Fillion, Co-Chair of the Student Lighting Competition, reflects on the milestone:
“Over the past 25 years, the Student Lighting Competition has grown into something much bigger than an exhibition—it’s a community. I’ve seen students walk in with their first project and go on to build meaningful careers in lighting, often returning to support the next generation. Even as the format evolved—from theaters to virtual platforms and now LEDucation—the core has remained the same: creating a space for connection, creativity, and shared inspiration.”
This year’s competition theme, Everything Old is New Again, challenged students to explore adaptive reuse through light—reimagining existing objects, spaces, and ideas into something entirely new. Participants developed three-dimensional studies demonstrating how lighting can transform the familiar through visual delight, enhanced functionality, and innovative reinterpretation.
The 2026 competition featured over 160 projects from over 180 students, representing leading art, design, architecture, and engineering programs across New York City and the surrounding region.
The competition was presented in a live exhibition at the LEDucation Trade Show and Conference at the New York Hilton Midtown on April 14–15, 2026, with the awards ceremony held on April 14.
Spotlight on the Grand Prize Winner: Metamorphosis
A distorted emulation of a candle, Metamorphosis evokes the age-old simplicity of a flame lingering above a column of wax fuel.
As the wax is melted, its old form is eviscerated, drip by drip, and a new form is developed. The uniformity and rigidity of the original column of wax is eviscerated, exploded, and destroyed as if a projectile was slowly worming its way through it vertically.
Through the thermal metamorphosis of the wax, the object as a whole becomes new again.
Eli Lucas, Pratt Institute, shared: “I was really intrigued by the idea of ‘old versus new’—not just in terms of materials, but how familiar forms can evolve into something entirely different over time. Using wax as a medium allowed the piece to physically transform through light, becoming a new object in the process. I’m incredibly excited and honored to receive this award.”
Second Place: Worn
Worn shines light on the ritual of hang-drying clothes. The garments hang open in space, as if they were outside. Warm light, like the sun, reflects off the surface of the pieces and casts a textured shadow on the wall behind them. The viewer is invited to notice both the clothes and their shadows, and to watch them sway if a gust of wind passes through.
Today, we are accustomed to the automated maintenance of our belongings. We have lost the patience to slow down and engage in meticulous tasks. This piece recalls a time when we were more present with our possessions. The garments on the line are plastic imprints, rigid and transparent. Thus, the clothesline is but a shadow, a memory of when we used to take care of our things.
Third Place: Slow Light
A lamp that requires a ritual to turn on
Before electric light, illuminating a room was a process. One gathered materials, prepared a flame, tended it. That relationship disappeared within a generation. The result is a world in which light is produced and discarded without thought, and a night sky that no longer meaningfully exists across most of the United States.
I came to design through cooking, in kitchens built around the philosophy of the Slow Food movement. The argument was that the process of making something is part of its value. Convenience has a cost that its price does not reflect. Slow Light applies that argument to lighting.
A Legacy of 25 Years
Now in its 25th year, the IESNYC Student Lighting Competition has introduced more than 2,000 students to the architectural lighting industry, serving as a platform for experimentation, education, and professional connection.
Craig Young, Co-Chair of the Student Lighting Competition, looks ahead:
“Having experienced the competition as a student, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be as a bridge into the industry. As we look ahead, the focus is on expanding that impact—reaching more schools, strengthening connections between students and professionals, and creating more opportunities for mentorship and collaboration. The goal is to keep building a program that not only reflects where the industry is today, but helps shape where it’s going.”
The competition continues to foster innovation, collaboration, and education in the lighting industry. The IESNYC Student Lighting Competition is dedicated to its founder, Patricia DiMaggio, whose vision for education and community continues to shape the program today.
The judges for the 2025 competition were Dawn Ladd (Aurora Lampworks), Natalia Lesniak (Lumen Architecture), Seth Grizzle (Gray Pants) and Ann Schiffers (Vode). The competition committee was co-chaired by Craig Young and Shaun Fillion.
For more information about the IESNYC Student Lighting Competition, visit www.studentlightingcompetition.com or www.iesnyc.org.
