AOLP Awards Programs
Program Purpose
The goal of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals’ Lighting Awards is to honor and promote professional excellence in outdoor lighting design and to recognize industry achievement, to create greater public awareness of the benefits of professionally designed and installed lighting systems and to provide opportunities for learning through visual representation of excellence in outdoor lighting design.
Program Overview
The two components of the AOLP Lighting Awards consist of:
I – Lighting Awards
II – Industry Achievement Award
Program Benefits
The Lighting Awards program offers all AOLP members the opportunity to be recognized by peers and other lighting design professionals for lighting design achievement, and to receive public recognition for earning such an award. Throughout the process, there are opportunities to learn additional lighting techniques and to interact with fellow lighting designers. In addition, each participant will be able to learn more about the lighting industry’s history and the individuals who have made a significant impact in its advancement. Each year, award winners are announced at the Lighting Awards Ceremony at the AOLP Annual Conference & Expo and are promoted to the media and industry trade magazines.
Lighting Awards
All AOLP members will have the opportunity to participate in online judging to select winners in the following categories:
Residential: Lighting installation designed to enhance the overall landscape and architecture of the residence, in the front and/or back of the property. Outdoor living or entertainment areas are not the focus of this category.
- Small: 25 fixtures or fewer
- Large: 26-99 fixtures
- XL: 100-249 fixtures
- XXL: 250 fixtures or more
Commercial: Lighting installation designed to enhance the overall landscape and architecture of the commercial property.
Feature-Focused: Lighting installation designed to illuminate a special outdoor feature. This category includes: water features, statuary, walkways or stairs, and memorials.
Outdoor Living: Lighting installation in any area in the built environment where people entertain or “live” outside, such as a patio, deck, covered terrace, outdoor kitchen, fireplace (or fire pit) area or dining area (spaces that are not part of the general planted landscape).
Holiday Lighting: A temporary lighting installation designed to provide decorative and/or festive illumination for any holiday or season. Religious references are allowed but not required.
Splash of Color: A permanent lighting installation that incorporates color in functional or decorative outdoor lighting. Whether it’s a vibrant and energetic atmosphere or a more subtle and relaxing ambiance, show off the splash of color(s) used in your outdoor illumination project. This category includes: water features, color-changing capabilities that highlight specific areas, or any colored illumination that adds drama and/or versatility to your outdoor lighting project.
Mobile Mastery: Submissions in this category are intended for all lighting installations captured on a cell phone without professional photography.
Industry Achievement Award
The Awards Committee sponsors the Industry Achievement Award, which is presented to industry leaders, professionals and pioneers who have significantly contributed to the advancement of outdoor lighting. Nominations for consideration for this award can be submitted by any member. It is not required that the nominee be a member of AOLP. Selection of the winner is based on voting by the Awards Committee, Board of Directors and all AOLP Committee Chairpersons and past winners of the award.