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The recognition highlights True 1’s combination of compact design, optical performance, and flexibility for architectural applications.

In architectural design, even the smallest details can influence the character and performance of a space. Lighting is no exception. A smaller aperture can reduce visual distraction and create a cleaner ceiling plane, but it must still deliver the illumination and control a design requires.

That balance is at the heart of True 1, DMF Lighting’s 1-inch aperture downlight, which has been named a winner in Architectural Record’s annual Products of the Year competition.

The long-running awards program recognizes innovative building materials, components, and furnishings introduced to the North American market. A panel of architects, designers, and other industry experts evaluates entries based on inventiveness, functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics.

A Smaller Aperture Without Compromising Performance

True 1 delivers over 750 nominal lumens through a 1-inch aperture. Its patent-pending three-stage optical stack, featuring cross beam TIR optics, provides controlled illumination with low UGR ratings to help manage glare.

The result is a fixture that delivers the clean, minimalist aesthetic of a 1-inch aperture while providing the optical performance needed for a range of architectural applications.

Flexibility From Specification Through Installation

True 1’s modular design provides flexibility for specifiers. Tool-free, field-changeable cartridges allow the LED module, optics, and color temperature to be changed in the field. This flexibility enables lighting adjustments during installation, supporting evolving project requirements, and simplifies maintenance.

Available in both fixed and adjustable configurations, the adjustable model offers 35^° tilt, 360^° rotation, and hot aiming for directional control. The 30^°, 40^°, and 50^° optics allow for precise beam control, while color temperatures ranging from 2700K to 4000K, plus Warm Dim (3000K–1800K), ensure the perfect lighting color and effect.

Designed for Long-Term Serviceability

True 1 is engineered to support the life of a project beyond initial installation. Powered by SpectraDrive™ technology, an integrated DC-to-DC regulator independently regulates LED current within the fixture, helping maintain consistent color and light output throughout the life of the fixture.

The quick-connect LED module and DC-to-DC regulator can be replaced or upgraded from below the ceiling in minutes. This approach simplifies maintenance, preserves the existing ceiling, and provides a pathway for future technology upgrades without requiring replacement of the entire fixture.

Recognition for Thoughtful Design

Architectural Record’s recognition underscores the value of combining a minimal visual footprint with thoughtful engineering. By bringing optical control, specification flexibility, and long-term serviceability to a 1-inch aperture, True 1 helps designers preserve the integrity of the ceiling while meeting the practical demands of architectural lighting.

View True 1 in the November issue of Architectural Record.

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The award recognizes True 1 for bringing high-performance illumination, design flexibility, and thoughtful engineering to a compact 1-inch aperture.

Good design often comes down to doing more with less. In architectural lighting, that means delivering the performance and flexibility a project demands while minimizing the visual presence of the fixture itself.

That balance is at the heart of True 1, DMF Lighting’s compact 1-inch aperture downlight, recently recognized as a winner in The Architect’s Newspaper’s annual Best of Products Awards.

The Best of Products Awards recognize standout products that contribute to the built environment, with entries evaluated by a jury of architects, designers, educators, curators, manufacturers, and The Architect’s Newspaper editors. Products are judged on innovation, aesthetics, performance, sustainability, and value—criteria that closely align with the priorities of today’s design professionals.

For True 1, the award underscores what is possible when a small aperture is paired with serious optical and engineering innovation.

Small Aperture, Serious Performance

True 1 was designed to deliver high-performance illumination from an exceptionally compact form factor. Its 1-inch aperture provides the clean, discreet aesthetic designers increasingly seek, while a patent-pending three-stage optical stack with cross beam TIR optics delivers over 750 nominal lumens and low UGR ratings for enhanced glare control.

The result is a fixture that can virtually disappear into the ceiling while providing the performance needed to illuminate architecture, artwork, finishes, and occupied spaces with precision.

For designers, that combination matters. A smaller aperture can contribute to a cleaner, more refined ceiling plane while still providing the light quality and performance required for the space.

Flexibility That Supports the Design

Design rarely remains static from concept through installation. Field conditions can change. Furniture layouts can shift and artwork may be moved. A beam spread that looked right on paper may need to be adjusted once the space comes together.

True 1 is engineered to accommodate those realities.

Its modular construction separates the housing, LED module, optic, and trim, allowing individual components to be changed in the field without tools. Designers and contractors can make adjustments on site rather than being locked into decisions made earlier in the project.

Available in both fixed downlight and adjustable configurations, True 1 gives designers flexibility to tailor the light to each application. Interchangeable 30°, 40°, and 50° optics allow beam distribution to be tailored in the field, while the adjustable module provides 35° tilt, 360° rotation and hot aiming.

Color is equally adaptable. True 1 is available in 2400K through 4000K color temperatures as well as Warm Dim from 3000K to 1800K, all at 93 CRI.

Designed for What Comes Next

Perhaps one of True 1’s most significant innovations is something designers may never see: how the fixture manages and maintains its performance over time.

Powered by SpectraDrive™ technology, an integrated DC-to-DC regulator maintains precise, constant voltage from the driver, delivering consistent color and light output throughout the life of the fixture.

True 1 also takes a different approach to serviceability. Rather than placing the driver in the housing, True 1 integrates a DC-to-DC driver into the LED module. The module connects with a quick-connect system and can be removed and replaced from below the ceiling in seconds.

This approach simplifies service and provides greater flexibility over the life of the installation. Modules can be replaced without opening ceilings or dealing with complex wiring, while outdated technology can potentially be upgraded without replacing the entire fixture.

For architects and designers focused on creating spaces that perform well not only at completion but throughout their life cycle, serviceability is an increasingly important part of responsible design.

Recognition That Reflects What Designers Value

True 1’s award recognition reflects the value of bringing together performance, flexibility, and thoughtful engineering in a compact form factor.

By combining a minimal 1-inch aperture with advanced optics, precise aiming, modular flexibility, and a design built for long-term serviceability, True 1 gives designers greater control while allowing the architecture to remain the focus.

The Best of Products recognition reinforces the idea that even the smallest elements of a lighting system can have a meaningful impact on how a space looks, performs, and evolves over time.

Click here to learn more about True 1

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C Series Recognized for Addressing Key Engineering and Facility Challenges

DMF Lighting’s C Series commercial downlights have earned recognition as a bronze winner in the 2026 Consulting-Specifying Engineer (CSE) Product of the Year awards, an annual program that highlights innovative solutions shaping the future of non-residential building design and construction.

Selected by CSE readers, the awards honor products that demonstrate technological advancement, industry value and market impact. The winners underscore the importance of technologies helping engineers and building owners address key priorities such as energy efficiency, electrification, resiliency, safety and digitalization.

DMF’s award-winning C Series 4- and 6-inch commercial downlights stand out for their modular, tool-less design that simplifies installation, maintenance and future upgrades. The system combines housing, light engine modules and trims in a plug-and-play platform engineered to balance performance, serviceability and cost efficiency.

A key feature of the C Series is its integrated driver design, which allows modules to be replaced from below the ceiling without requiring any ceiling modifications. This approach helps reduce maintenance time and costs while enabling touch-safe onsite modifications. The light engine modules are available with an adjustable lumen output switch (1,000, 1,500 or 2,000 lumens) or fixed output option, providing flexibility across a range of ceiling heights and application requirements.

In addition, the trims incorporate an integrated mixing chamber and wide-angle light distribution to maximize efficiency and deliver consistent illumination.

The recognition underscores DMF’s commitment to developing practical, high-performance lighting solutions that help engineers, specifiers and project teams create the next generation of commercial buildings.

Learn more about the award-winning C Series by watching the product video. You can also download the Winners eBook for a complete look at the 2026 Product of the Year recipients.