Ray Grenald, 1928 - 2024

The lighting design community mourns the loss of Ray Grenald, FIALD, a pioneer who helped establish the IALD and define the architectural lighting design profession as we know it today. 

Grenald, alongside other groundbreaking design peers, including Leslie Wheel, Howard Brandston, David Mintz, and Martin Garon, co-founded the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) in 1969. Grenald's vision was instrumental in recognizing lighting design as a distinct creative field.

His career exemplified this artistic approach. After working as an architect for 14 years, he transitioned to specialize in architectural lighting design, winning international acclaim for projects as honored as the Oval Office in The White House and the Liberty Bell Pavilion in Philadelphia. Ray served as president of the IALD and was inducted into the IALD College of Fellows. His leadership extended well beyond the IALD, with roles on the National Lighting Research Organization and Lighting Research Institute boards and faculty and visiting lecturer positions at over a dozen prestigious universities.

Ray Grenald's legacy will continue illuminating the path for future generations of lighting designers.

The family requests that contributions in Ray's memory be made to the IALD Education Trust or a charity of the donor's choice.