The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) recognized some of the best in outdoor lighting design at its recent Illuminate 2025 Annual Conference and Expo in Clearwater Beach, Fla. AOLP’s annual Lighting Awards celebrate outstanding creativity, technical excellence and innovative outdoor lighting solutions across multiple categories, according to the association.
“AOLP’s annual Lighting Awards showcase the astounding talent of outdoor lighting professionals and their spectacular installations, representing the benefits of outdoor illumination in both form and function,” said AOLP president Nick Schriver. “From stunning residential projects to masterful commercial illuminations, each award-winning project is an artful display of innovation, creativity and craftsmanship. Every honoree should feel a tremendous sense of pride.”
This year’s AOLP Lighting Award winners include:
Best of Show: “Moonlit Oasis” by Chris Apfelstadt, Light Up Columbus
The highest honor, Best of Show, was awarded to Chris Apfelstadt of Light Up Columbus for his stunning XL Residential project, “Moonlit Oasis.” This project demonstrated masterful integration of lighting elements to enhance the natural beauty of the space while creating a tranquil ambiance.
Excellence Award Winners
The Excellence Awards highlight the most exceptional outdoor lighting projects, demonstrating industry-leading craftsmanship and innovation.
Commercial – “The Barns at Wolf Trap” (Patrick Harders, Dayloom)
An iconic concert venue in northern Virginia, this project overcame the challenge of evenly lighting the historic barn structure while enhancing its surrounding landscape for a visually stunning and safe experience.
Feature-Focused – “VFW Post 696” (Jimmy Kidd, Tranquility Lighting Design)
Designed to illuminate a memorial at the VFW Post 696 in Owensboro, Ky., this project enhances the ceremonial space for honoring veterans while complying with federal flag lighting regulations.
Holiday Lighting – “Marshall Grimm Residence” (Steven Gogatz, Innovative Light Designs)
A Newport Beach waterfront estate known for its legendary holiday displays, this project transforms the residence into a dazzling seasonal spectacle, attracting visitors and even hosting the President of the United States.
Mobile Mastery – “Bowman Residence” (Adam Puhl, Night FX Outdoor Lighting)
A timelessly elegant lighting project featuring a classic home transformed with just 26 fixtures. With lighting strategically mounted on gutters, roofs, fascia, soffits and the ground, this project showcased a seamless integration of lighting with architectural design, requiring meticulous planning and pre-wiring during construction.
Outdoor Living – “Brown Residence” (Jason Sponzilli, Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting of North Jersey)
A stunning Dutch Colonial home in New Jersey with a beautifully lit backyard, pool house, bocce court and pathways, seamlessly integrating lighting with the home’s architecture.
Small Residential – “Secret Garden” (Chris Apfelstadt, Light Up Columbus)
Transforming a backyard garden into a peaceful nighttime retreat, this design emphasized soft downlighting, subtle sculpture illumination and reflective lighting for an inviting atmosphere.
Large Residential – “Sculpture House” (Nick Wojdak, Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting of Denver)
This project illuminated the iconic “Sculpture House” in Colorado, known for its futuristic design, blending modern lighting techniques while preserving the historical integrity of the structure.
XXL Residential – “Palm Beach Home NLW” (Greg Matthews, Luxury Illumination)
A sprawling 1.5-acre beachfront property featuring a breathtaking moonlighting effect, dock illumination, and a total of 617 fixtures seamlessly blending into the landscape.
Splash of Color – “Wellington View” (Greg Matthews, Luxury Illumination)
A creative and vibrant lighting installation that incorporated color to enhance the ambiance of an outdoor space. This transformation not only enhances the year-round beauty of the entrance with elegant white light but also gives the flexibility to celebrate holidays with vibrant color. With nearly 190 fixtures installed, the result is a striking and energy-efficient lighting solution that reduces holiday lighting costs while elevating curb appeal.
Merit Award Winners
Recognized for outstanding execution and design, the Merit Awards were presented to:
Outdoor Living – “Carlyle House” (Patrick Harders, Dayloom)
A historic colonial estate in Alexandria, Va., where downlighting and pathway illumination enhance the gardens for evening tours.
Large Residential – “Lake Forest Garden” (Greg Matthews, Luxury Illumination)
A beautifully lit 45-year-old garden in suburban Chicago, utilizing 97 fixtures to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for family gatherings.
XL Residential – “Dark Sky Drama” (Nick Wojdak, Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting of Denver)
A project in a Dark Sky community where innovative lighting techniques were used to maintain ambiance while adhering to strict lighting regulations.
To view all images of each of the projects honored at AOLP’s Illuminate 2025 Conference, visit AOLP’s website. The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) is a national trade organization dedicated to advancing the practice of outdoor lighting.
