Noor Ridyah
The annual citywide light art festival, Noor Riyadh, returned in November 2025, uniting local and international artists in Saudi Arabia to dazzle the city with kinetic pieces of light artworks under the theme of ‘In the Blink of an Eye’.
(UAE) - Now in its fourth edition, the festival continues to expand in both ambition, scale and impact. To date, the festival has showcased 460 artworks, worked with 365 artists, and earned 16 Guinness World Records. In light of its rapid evolution over the last four years, the theme of 2025, ‘In the Blink of an Eye,’ was created to capture the very essence of the festival’s transformation.
The narrative unfolds two interwoven paths: in the historic centre, light-based artworks converse with ancient architecture, bridging the city’s rich cultural heritage with its energetic present. Meanwhile, animated by installations across the metro stations, which reflect the pace and rhythm of urban life, in the form of kinetic sculptures and responsive installations that trace the flow of people, visualising connectivity and interaction. 
The edition was curated by Mami Kataoka, Curatorial Advisory Lead and Director of Mori Art in Tokyo; Sara Almutlaq, Riyadh-based curator; and Li Zhenhua, curator and founder of Beijing Art Lab. In total, the festival presented 60 artworks by 59 artists, which were located from North to South Riyadh across six locations: KAFD Metro Station, stc Metro Station, Al Faisaliah Tower, King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Qasr Al Hokm, and Riyadh Art, Jax District. In addition to this, the event also saw the introduction of more than 36 new commissions from across Saudi Arabia and the world.
One of the standout pieces included Astrum by László Zsolt Bordos, Hungarian artist, who created powerful beams atop Al Faisaliah Tower – designed by UK-based practitioner Fosters + Partners– acting as a moving planetary compass, pointing celestial bodies in real time. With lasers beaming up to 7km, the work turns the city skyline into an astronomical stage, inviting viewers to reconnect with the cosmos through the lens of metropolitan Riyadh.
Bordos also collaborated with French artist Christophe Berthonneau on Synthesis, a single kinetic performance that merges architecture, drone choreography, and mapping. In this piece, the building appears to levitate, its facade a recombinant geometry, while drones extend the light ballet skyward in dialogue between art and engineering.
Meanwhile, the façade of KAFD Metro Station – designed by Zaha Hadid Architects – was transformed into a shifting lattice of light and sound by Romanian artist, Vali Chincișan, through oscillating patterns that fracture into colour to an electronic score. The work offers a precise meditation on perception in motion, as the architecture appears to inhale data, allowing geometry to unfold into music.
Other honourable mentions include Italian art architecture collective, Luna Somnium’s fuse•, which transforms precise lunar data into a cosmic multisensory experience where shifting visuals and atmospheric design turn scientific observation into a meditative dream-like encounter with the celestial. James Clar’s When the Sky Reaches the Ground (Philippines and USA) displays a monumental sculptural bolt of frozen light, constructed from neon and grid scaffolding, symbolising mom
ents of immense speed and intense energy. Algorithms of Light: The Falcon by Ahmad Angawi (Saudi Arabia) explores the heritage, motion and transformation through a calligraphic design inspired by Najdi Sadu patterns and the Saudi falcon, elongating subtly in a quiet space with enduring rhythm and geometry. that elongates to inhabit space.
Speaking on the success of Noor Riyadh, Festival Director Nouf Almoneef says: “Each year, Noor Riyadh grows in ambition and impact. I am proud that we continue to champion artists, strengthen the creative economy, and build connections between Saudi talent and the international arts community. Together we are shaping Riyadh into a Global capital for culture today and for the good of generations to come.”
arc to attend Workspace Design show 2026
(UK) – arc editor, Matt Waring, will represent the publication at Workspace Design Show, taking place at London’s Business Design Centre on 25-26 February. Waring is set to moderate a panel on ‘Neuro Adaptive Lighting and the role of AI in its Development’ on 26 February.
The session, co-ordinated by the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL), will bring together leading figures from the lighting sector, Juan Ferrari, Director of Hoare Lea, Daniel Baker, Creative Director of Nulty Lighting, and Carolina Florian, Lighting Director at Qiddiya and President of SLL. The panel will explore the intricacies of lighting for different neurodiversities, what this looks like, and how the continuing emergence of AI can help with its development.
This year’s show also introduces a new theme - ‘Connected Realities’, which organisers say will focus on the impact of hybrid working models, immersive technologies and smart environments on the future of workplace design.
The 2026 edition is expected to bring together exhibitors offering office furniture, materials, technology and design solutions. Brands confirmed to participate include König + Neurath, Sedus, Bisley, Pedrali, Interface, Forbo and Kvadrat. Lighting brands on show will include Daisalux, Kreon, Flexxica, Ricoman, and SAS International.
Alongside Waring’s panel discussion, the talks programme will feature speakers from companies including Nestlé, Arcadis, Octopus Energy, AECOM, Lloyds, Pascall + Watson, Virgin Media O2, Landsec, Gensler, WPP, Foster + Partners and CBRE.
Registration to visit is free and now open click here to register now
[d]arc awards extend entry deadline to 12 February
(Global) – After being inundated with last minute call up, the [d]arc awards have announced an extension to the entry deadline for the 2025 edition of the programme, giving designers and manufacturers additional time to submit their latest projects and product launches. Originally due to close on 31 January, the entry period will now remain open until 23:59 GMT on 12 February.
The extension comes in response to high levels of interest from the international lighting design community and feedback from entrants balancing project workloads at the start of the year. The [d]arc media team has encouraged those still finalising their submissions to take advantage of the additional time.
The 2025 awards continue to attract significant attention across the architectural and lighting design sectors. Winners will be announced at the annual [d]arc awards party, set to take place on Thursday 30 April at The Fireworks Factory in Woolwich, London.
This year’s shortlisting panel comprises six judges, all of whom participated as speakers at the recent LiGHT 25 exhibition. The panel includes:
- Magalena Gomez, So It Is Design
- David Atkinson, DALD
- Krishna Mistry, Mistry Lighting
- Sanjit Bahra, Design Plus Light
- Tad Trylski, TandEm
- Zoe Faulkner, Troup Bywaters + Anders
The judges will draw on their diverse expertise to review and shortlist entries across all categories. As in previous years, the final winners will be determined through an independent online voting process carried out by lighting designers from around the world.
Entrants now have just over two additional weeks to complete their submissions for the chance to earn recognition in one of the industry’s most respected awards programmes. So enter now via: https://darcawards.com/enter-the-awards/
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With thanks to this year’s sponsors: OneEightyOne, David Village Lighting (Artemide), DRK Lighting, ERCO, formalighting, Signify, DALI Alliance, Pharos Architectural Controls Ltd, Nicolaudie Architectural Control, Huda Lighting, LiGHT 26, LEDFlex Group, LED Linear, Lucent Lighting Ltd, Vivalyte (together with their UK distributor Nox Obscura), and awards manufacturer, Applelec.
And a big thanks to our lighting design partners this year: Arup, Buro Happold, dpa lighting consultants, Foster + Partners, Foundry London, Nulty+
CDN Light - BACH 5s
BACH 5s downlight - a fully comprehensive and well-built lighting tools. It offers options in sizes ranging from 45mm to 200mm (matching 5W to 100W power), varied styles, practical functions and stunning effects. Crafted as a high-quality product, it’s specifically designed to fit and excel in all kinds of architectural installation environments, meeting your every lighting needs.
Flos - The Glowing Track
Flos Architectural has introduced The Glowing Track, a modular architectural lighting system that combines high performance, versatility and refined design in a single solution. Developed in Valencia, Spain, the collection delivers immersive, homogeneous ambient light that integrates seamlessly into its surroundings. Available in a refined palette of White, Black, Brushed Bronze and Brushed Steel, the slim 47mm profiles and complementary spotlights sit comfortably within high-end interiors, adding a sense of quiet sophistication. The system also offers flexible dimming options, including DALI and 1–10V protocols, Casambi track control via a dimmer device, and wireless control through the FLOS Control app for iOS and Android, supporting remote, recessed or surface installations.
40 under 40 winners announced for 2025
(Global) - The 40 under 40 winners for 2025 have been announced, recognising the next generation of talent shaping the global lighting industry.
This year’s programme attracted an impressive 354 nominations, with 156 nominees from 33 countries submitting their work for consideration. Following a rigorous judging process, 40 outstanding individuals have been selected, highlighting the depth, diversity and ambition of emerging lighting professionals worldwide.
The judges in this year's 40 under 40 included Carla Wikins (Germany), Jeff Shaw (UK), Waleed Fakousa (UAE), Moemi Narbero Zumalacárregui (Spain), Giuseppe Simone (Australia), and Paola Pietrantoni (USA).
To mark 10 years of the 40 under 40 competition, its organisers will host a special celebratory session at Light + Building Frankfurt on 9 March, from 16:00 to 18:00. The event will begin by honouring the 2025 winners, followed by talks from past recipients reflecting on their passion for light. The session will conclude with drinks, and all attendees are warmly invited to join the celebration.
See the winners below:
To mark 10 years of the 40 under 40 competition, a special celebratory session will take place at Light + Building Frankfurt on 9 March, from 4pm to 6pm. The event will begin by honouring the 2025 winners, followed by talks from past recipients reflecting on their passion for light. The session will conclude with drinks, and everyone is invited to attend.
www.lightcollective.com/fortyunder40
Call for speakers! [d]arc thoughts returns to Clerkenwell Design Week
(UK) – [d]arc media is pleased to confirm that its partnership with Clerkenwell Design Week will continue into 2026, with the return of the much-anticipated [d]arc thoughts talks programme from the 19-21 May.
As part of the lighting exhibition at the historic House of Detention, [d]arc media will once again host a three-day programme of talks, bringing together leading voices from across lighting, interiors and architecture. With planning now underway, the editorial team is inviting speaker suggestions and topic ideas from the design community.
With Clerkenwell Design Week’s audience largely made up of interior designers and interior architects, the programme aims to address the lighting conversations that matter most right now. We want to hear what you would like to understand better, explore in greater depth, or see discussed more openly within the context of lighting and the built environment.
For lighting designers, this is also an opportunity to help shape the dialogue. What knowledge is most valuable to share with the interior community? Which conversations feel timely, important, or overdue? How can we better bridge the gap between disciplines and encourage meaningful knowledge exchange? All ideas, recommendations and expressions of interest are welcome.
Those wishing to be considered as a speaker should email Helen Ankers via h.ankers@mondiale.co.uk.
The [d]arc thoughts programme continues to provide a platform for insight-led discussion, critical thinking and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and arc media looks forward to shaping another compelling edition in partnership with Clerkenwell Design Week.
See some of our previous talks at CDW via www.arc-magazine.com/category/industry/arc-tv
[d]arc awards announces its 2025 judges
(Worldwide) - The [d]arc awards has announced its esteemed shortlisting panel of judges, consisting of industry experts who featured in the LiGHT 25 [d]darc thoughts programme. With only 10 days to go until submissions close, it will be up to our judges to use their lighting design expertise to narrow down the best projects and products of 2025.
The six judges include Magdalena Gomez lighting designer of 20 years and founder of So It Is Design Studio (top left); David Atkinson, founder of David Atkinson Lighting Design (DALD) (top centre); Krishna Mistry founder of Mistry Lighting (top right); Sanjit Bahra founder of DesignPlusLight (bottom left); Tad Trylski lighting designer with expertise in both Architectural and Theatre disciplines and a previous judge for the Dali Awards (bottom centre); and Zoe Faulkner, Partner at Troup Bywaters + Anders, where she leads the Architectural Lighting team.
When submissions close on the 30th of January, our jury of leading practitioners will evaluate the submissions and release the shortlist in February. After that, the final decision will be left in the hands of the global design community. However, entrants benefit from increased industry visibility, with every project or product featured on the [d]arc awards website. Shortlisted entrants also receive a lifetime complimentary listing in the [d]arc awards directory.
The winners of the 2025 awards will be announced in Woolwich Works in London on the 30th April, and will join by lighting professionals from across the global community to celebrate.
Recognised globally as one of the most comprehensive and inclusive awards in architectural and creative lighting, the [d]arc awards celebrate excellence across a wide spectrum of project and product categories. This year’s programme once again welcomes submissions from professionals working across the built environment and the lighting design sector, with a strong focus on both artistic expression and technical achievement.
So to be in with a chance of winning and attending the most anticipated awards party of the year, submit your project or products to www.darcawards.com/enter
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With thanks to this year’s sponsors: OneEightyOne, David Village Lighting (Artemide), DRK Lighting, ERCO, formalighting, Signify, DALI Alliance, Pharos Architectural Controls Ltd, Nicolaudie Architectural Control, Huda Lighting, LiGHT 26, LEDFlex Group, LED Linear, Lucent Lighting Ltd, Vivalyte (together with their UK distributor Nox Obscura), and awards manufacturer, Applelec.
And a big thanks to our lighting design partners this year: Arup, Buro Happold, dpa lighting consultants, Foster + Partners, Foundry London, Nulty+