New York, USA
Winner of the 2026 Green Good Design Award, The Grids SHADOW-FREE challenges long-standing conventions in architectural lighting by addressing one of illumination design’s most persistent problems: glare and shadow at the source.
Rather than relying on traditional barrier-based diffusers, the project introduces a patented refractive-amplification architecture that fundamentally rethinks how light is generated, guided, and experienced.
At the heart of the system is a precisely engineered dual-layer geometry consisting of a micro-diffraction layer and a lattice-grid panel.
Together, these elements actively manipulate light paths, transforming the diffuser from a passive, light-blocking component into an optical lens that amplifies output while maintaining visual comfort.
By relocating LED chips to the perimeter of the fixture, SHADOW-FREE redirects light inward, eliminating discomfort glare and shadows before they occur.
This design-led approach resolves the thermal and optical inefficiencies typically associated with ultra-slim luminaires.
As a result, the system achieves a 28% increase in luminous efficacy, delivering higher brightness with lower energy consumption.
The outcome is both technical and experiential: exceptional color accuracy supported by a high Color Rendering Index, paired with evenly distributed, shadow-free illumination.
Encased in an ultra-slim 20mm profile, SHADOW-FREE is conceived as a universally adaptable lighting solution.
Its minimalist Flush Look enables seamless integration across architectural contexts, functioning equally well as a recessed or surface-mounted fixture.
The design reflects a broader movement toward lighting systems that unify performance, sustainability, and visual clarity without compromise.
Recognized by the 2026 Green Good Design Award, The Grids SHADOW-FREE exemplifies how rigorous optical engineering and restrained industrial design can work in concert, positioning light not simply as infrastructure but as an intelligent, design-driven medium that enhances both space and perception.
Project: The Grids SHADOW-FREE
Designers: The Grids, New York, USA
Lead Designer: Minji Kim
Manufacturer: Hwayoung Lighting, South Korea
Photographers: P&D Korea Co., Ltd
