German-born, Melbourne-based lighting designer Volker Haug has won the 2025 Melbourne Design Week Award.

The award is an annual prize celebrating an exceptional contribution to Australia’s premier design event, and offers significant recognition of creative excellence within the local and international design community.

The award recognises Haug and his Brunswick-based studio’s outstanding contribution to the Australian design industry and the exhibition 20 Years of Volker Haug Studio presented in this year’s festival.

Haug says it’s “truly an honour” to be awarded Melbourne Design Week winner. 

“It’s a wonderful reminder that the work I’m passionate about resonates with others, and it inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” he says.

“It’s also exciting to see Australian lighting design being celebrated, highlighting the creativity and innovation within our industry. I’m genuinely grateful for this recognition.”

Haug’s winning exhibition 

For Melbourne Design Week 2025, Haug presented 20 Years of Volker Haug Studio, a reflection on Haug’s two-decade practice featuring highlight pieces loaned from private collections. 

From Haug’s earliest works to recent designs, the exhibition covers the development of the studio’s practice and their exploration of material, form and lighting innovation.

National Gallery of Victoria director Tony Ellwood AM says Volker Haug has been at the forefront of lighting practice for the past two decades.

“We congratulate Volker on winning this year’s award,” he says.

Haug’s studio and other works 

Volker Haug Studio is renowned for its sophisticated lighting designs infused with playfulness and individuality. 

Haug commenced his design career under the tutelage of the late Australian lighting design luminary Geoffrey Mance before founding Volker Haug Studio in 2005.

In 2024, the studio collaborated with fellow Australian design practice Flack Studio on Me and You, a lighting collection which launched at Milan Design Week, securing Volker Haug’s international acclaim.

Commissions by Haug can be found in German Embassies in Canberra and Tokyo, as well as newly opened Melbourne hotels, including Melbourne Place and The StandardX.

Read more about the winning exhibit.