
Sarah Donald
From an early age, light has always fascinated Sarah. Now, after three decades across the spectrum of lighting disciplines and project types, every experience has been examined, deconstructed, and folded into an unrelenting pursuit of mastering light. She's come to believe that light is living art: color, shadow, angle, texture, and energy that shapes how people perceive and experience an environment. As Owner and Principal of Curious, Sarah brings both a practiced eye and genuine curiosity to every project, always learning from what light reveals.
Owner & Principal, Curious Lighting Design

Memberships & Standards
Sarah is a Professional Member of the Certified Lighting Designer, International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and a longstanding member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), where she actively contributes to Recommended Practice (RP) committees. These memberships reflect her commitment to advancing the field through both peer collaboration and the development of industry standards.
Sustainability Expertise
Sarah holds the LEED AP BD+C credential, reflecting her expertise in sustainable building design and construction. This credential underscores her understanding of how lighting intersects with energy performance, occupant wellbeing, and environmental responsibility across a variety of project types.
CLD
Certified
Lighting Designer
Professional Certification
IALD
International Association
of Lighting Designers
Professional Member
IES
Illuminating
Engineering Society
Member, RP Committees
LEED AP BD+C
Sustainable Building
Design & Construction
Accredited Professional
Education
SUNY Purchase Conservatory
BFA Theatre Design / Technology (Lighting Design)
Parsons School of Design
MA Architectural Lighting Design
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Certificate Executive Leadership Programme
Awards
The Frederick Gunn School Tisch Center for Innovation and Active Citizenship
Washington, CT · Net-Zero Emphasis
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2025 Illuminating Engineering Society Boston Section Award
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2025 Lit Design Award Winner for Interior Architectural Illumination
*completed while at Lam Partners

Boston Children’s Hospital Brain, Mind, and Behavior Center
Brookline, MA · LEED Silver
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2023 Illuminating Engineering Society Boston Section Award of Merit for Interior Architecture
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2023 Illuminating Engineering Society Boston Section Award of Merit for Energy
*completed while at Lam Partners
The Jackson Laboratory
Farmington, CT · LEED Gold
-
2015 IES Award of Merit
**completed while at Atelier Ten
University of Portland Chapel of Christ the Teacher Renovation
Portland, OR
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2012 IES National Award of Merit
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2012 IES Oregon Section Guth Award for Interior Lighting Design
***completed while at Interface Engineering Lighting Studio
University of Portland Shiley Hall Renovation + Addition
Portland, OR · LEED Platinum
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2010 IES National Award of Merit
***completed while at Interface Engineering Lighting Studio







