Entries are now open for the 2027 [d]arc awards, marking the start of a new chapter for the international lighting design programme. Organised by [d]arc media, the awards celebrate excellence across architectural, decorative, and artistic lighting. The latest edition introduces a revised category structure designed to create more opportunities for entrants and ensure projects are judged alongside comparable work.

The programme will feature nine project categories and four product categories, spanning the breadth of lighting design and specification. The revised project categories remove the previous high- and low-budget divisions. Instead, entries will be grouped by project type to simplify voting and enable more consistent, like-for-like comparisons.

The nine project categories are:

• Hospitality, Leisure & Residential
• Retail, Luxury Commercial & Showrooms
• Corporate, Workplace & Education
• Cultural, Heritage & Worship
• Civic Infrastructure, Transit & Hubs
• Public Realm, Urban & Landscape
• Architectural Facades & Mega Structures
• Experiential Art & Temporary Events
• Special Projects

Four product categories will cover architectural, decorative and bespoke lighting, alongside the technology used to support and control projects.

The awards’ established peer-to-peer voting model will remain in place. After a guest panel of international designers, independent lighting designers and design professionals shortlists entries, they will vote for the entries they believe set the industry standard.

Entrants can take advantage of an early-bird rate of £200 until 12 November. Projects and products can be submitted by lighting designers, architects, interior designers and manufacturers.

The 2027 [d]arc awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 24 March 2027 at Old Billingsgate, London, bringing the lighting design community together for dinner, entertainment and the announcement of the winners.

Enter the [d]arc awards and find further information about the categories and event.