40under40 at Light + Building

More Than an Award

On Monday afternoon at Light + Building, the Design Plaza fills up. Familiar faces, new names, designers from across the world—everyone is there for one reason. The 40under40 award ceremony is about to begin.

But here’s the real question:
Is 40under40 just another lighting design award, or is it something that actually shapes the future of the industry?

What Is 40under40 and Why It Matters Today

40under40 is a global platform that recognises emerging lighting designers and brings visibility to new voices shaping the field.

In 2025, the programme received 354 nominations. From these, 156 nominees across 33 countries were shortlisted, and 40 winners were selected by an international jury.

Behind the initiative are three key forces working together: Light Collective, Selux, and Filix.

Martin Lupton and Sharon Stammers have built a long-standing platform for promoting lighting design globally. Alongside them, Selux, represented by Mathias Heinrich, Manuela Schnabel, and Thomas Wunderlich, provides continuity and long-term industry support.

Filix has been part of this initiative for years through the involvement of Marko Jurman and Matej Močibob, Filix helps shape how the programme connects people, both during and beyond events like Light + Building.

This structure gives 40under40 its relevance. It is a shared effort across the industry.

Monday — Recognition at Design Plaza

At the Design Plaza, the 2025 winners are recognised in front of the industry. The setting places emerging designers directly at the centre of the conversation during Light + Building.

This year also marks ten years of 40under40, adding weight to the moment.

The credibility of the award comes from the jury. Designers are selected by professionals with deep experience in lighting design: Carla Wilkins, Jeff Shaw, Noemi Barbero, Giuseppe Simone, Paola Pietrantoni, and Waleed Fakousa.

Alongside the ceremony, past winners take the stage to share short talks under the theme “Choose Light.” Speakers include Joe Vose, Anna Sbokou, David Ghatan, Darío Nuñez Salazar, Faraz Izhar, Mariana Novaes, Nick Albert, Dan Lister, Katia Kolovea, Julia Hartmann, Maryam Aghajani, Magali Méndez, Brice Schneider, Eugenia Cheng, and Ayça Donaghy.

Different perspectives, different years, but a shared direction. Lighting design evolves through people.

Tuesday — Community at the Filix Booth

Tuesday shifts the focus from recognition to connection.

At the Filix booth, the 40under40 winners gathering brings together past and present winners in a more informal setting.

Filix was hosting a space where the community can meet, reconnect, and continue the conversation started at the ceremony.

Designers from different generations interact naturally. Winners from 2016 shares experience with this years winners. The exchange is direct and unfiltered.

At this point it's all about the community.

What 40under40 Means to Lighting Designers

For designers, 40under40 has long-term value.

Recognition from a respected jury signals that the work stands on its own.

That recognition opens doors. But the most important part is continuity. Once part of 40under40, designers remain connected through the network, through events, collaborations, and shared conversations and experiances.

The 2025 Winners — A Global Snapshot

The 2025 winners reflect the current state of lighting design.

The full group includes Sarah Wujcik, Ben Strauss, Pegah Mathur, Xander Cadisch, Elif Uyan, Phat Quach, Xena Petkanas, Alita Escobedo, Justyna Bork, Misuzu Nakamura, Alexander Rossini, Iliana Zotou, Durga Kranti Sala, Jane Tsai, Justin Keenan Miller, Kristen Garibaldi, Srushti Totadri, Pauline David, Edwin Allen, James Fuentes McGreevy, Ashley Mikels, Wesley Burdett, Liberty MacDougall, Joseph Brenner, Melike Ozden, Luke Renwick, Ryan Linton, Khorkhe Younes, Bilge Eseroglu, Dorothy Underwood, Paola Medina Querini, Chiara Tori, Krishna Mistry, Andres Regens, Razan Albunayah, Jonas Kuo, Avinash Reddy Gopu, Alexandria Quella, Carla Sigillo, and Omar Vergara.

Different approaches and contexts, but together, they point to a clear direction for where the industry is heading.

Why This Still Matters

40under40 works because it does not stop at selecting winners. It creates a structure where those designers remain visible, connected, and active within the industry.

It is not just about who is recognised today.
It is about who will shape lighting tomorrow.