Croatian lighting innovation wins top design award in New York

(Photo: FILIX)

Croatian innovation has once again taken the global stage. TRIA, a cutting-edge landscape lighting system created by acclaimed lighting designer Dean Skira in collaboration with Croatian manufacturer FILIX, has won first prize for product design at the prestigious Beacon Awards in New York.

The Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) presents the Beacon Awards to recognise outstanding achievements in lighting and architectural product design. The ceremony, held at Sony Hall in Manhattan, brought together leading international designers, manufacturers, and educators from the lighting industry.

Despite being a relatively new event, the Beacon Awards have quickly become one of the most respected accolades in North America. All proceeds from the awards support the Lana Lenar Lighting Empowerment Scholarship, which helps nurture the next generation of lighting designers.

A new concept in outdoor lighting

TRIA represents a completely new approach to exterior lighting design. Rather than a traditional light fixture, it is a modular system that allows multiple projectors and linear elements to be mounted on a single, elegant triangular column, a kind of outdoor “track” system.

TRIA Rimac (Photo Vedran Maric/FILIX)

This design reduces the number of physical installation points and cables, simplifies setup and maintenance, and preserves the visual integrity of a landscape as it evolves over time.

The system can also integrate cameras, Wi-Fi, speakers, or signage, turning TRIA into a smart urban infrastructure ideal for parks, promenades, resorts, and public squares.

“TRIA was born from the idea that light should evolve alongside the space it illuminates,” said Dean Skira, the system’s designer. “Instead of limiting ourselves to a single solution, we developed a system that adapts to its context, flexible, sustainable, and visually refined.”

TRIA Family (Photo: Skira/FILIX)

The Beacon Awards jury praised TRIA for its innovative multifunctionality, sustainability, and timeless aesthetics, recognising it as a prime example of Croatian design excellence on the world stage.

“This award confirms that Croatian innovation and design can stand shoulder to shoulder with global brands,” said Marko Jurman, director and co-owner of FILIX. “TRIA is the result of a shared vision, a fusion of technological precision, functionality, and beauty that redefines how we think about outdoor lighting.”

Beacon Award

This international recognition further highlights the strength of collaboration between Dean Skira and FILIX, positioning TRIA as a modern, sustainable solution for outdoor environments that blend design, technology, and adaptability.