RICHE Wins LIT Lighting Design Award 2025 | PAO BC OAKA — RICHE

RICHE Awarded the
LIT Lighting Design Award 2025

RICHE has been awarded the LIT Lighting Design Award 2025 for the lighting design of the VIP Entrance and Lounge of Panathinaikos BC at OAKA Stadium, receiving international recognition in the Interior Architectural Illumination category.

The distinction celebrates a project in which light becomes an integral part of the architecture, shaping an atmosphere defined by monumentality, dramatic contrast and contemporary elegance.

A Lighting Concept Inspired by Monumentality

The lighting concept focuses on highlighting the architectural identity of the space while creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a contemporary temple—imbued with grandeur, balance and reverence.

Light and shadow are carefully composed to enhance the dramatic character of the interior. State-of-the-art lighting solutions underline the architectural geometry, reveal the depth of the materials and establish a strong visual rhythm throughout the VIP entrance and lounge.

At the centre of the space, the marble statue emerges as a powerful focal point. A combination of indirect and directional lighting accentuates its texture, form and sculptural detail, reinforcing its monumental presence within the environment.

The surrounding vertical surfaces, inspired by the rhythm of ancient Greek colonnades, are subtly illuminated to create depth, repetition and a heightened perception of scale.

Scenographic Precision Through Light

Every lighting intervention has been carefully calibrated in terms of intensity, direction and texture.

Light is captured within architectural recesses, creating striking contrasts that emphasise the verticality and height of the space. The balanced distribution of illumination reduces glare and unwanted shadows while maintaining the dramatic, scenographic quality of the overall composition.

Functionality remains central to the design. The lighting supports movement and orientation throughout the entrance and lounge, guiding visitors naturally while preserving the immersive atmosphere of the interior.

Advanced LED Technology and Sustainability

Energy-efficient LED technology is used throughout the space, combining high-quality illumination with reduced energy consumption and long-term performance.

The precision offered by the lighting system allows each architectural element to be revealed with clarity while avoiding unnecessary light and visual noise. The result is a sustainable lighting approach that supports both the aesthetic ambition and the functional requirements of the project.

An Experiential Journey for VIP Hospitality

The final result offers more than an impressive VIP reception area. It creates a distinctive spatial experience in which architectural heritage and modern innovation coexist.

Through the careful balance of light and shadow, the lighting design transforms the entrance and lounge into a contemporary ceremonial environment—one that reflects the identity and legacy of Panathinaikos BC while offering visitors a refined and memorable sense of arrival.

The LIT Lighting Design Award 2025 represents an important international distinction for RICHE and reinforces the studio’s commitment to approaching light as a fundamental architectural medium: one capable of shaping atmosphere, revealing materials and defining the way a space is experienced.

Project Credits

Project: VIP Entrance and Lounge of PAO BC at OAKA Stadium
Award: LIT Lighting Design Award 2025
Category: Interior Architectural Illumination
Lighting Design: RICHE
Lead Designer: Markos Vouzounerakis
Architecture and Interior Design: Markos Vouzounerakis
Client: White Veil
Construction: VARAGONS
Photography: Spyros Hound Photography
Location: Athens, Greece
Completion: October 2024