The luminous wall system has translucent panels, frame hardware, light fixtures and a reflective plenum. The system includes individual, preferably translucent panels, which are aligned by interconnecting frame extrusions. Stand-off compression brackets are mounted on the supporting subwall and provide for mounting vertical extrusions, as well as for creating sufficient space between the subwall and the system to allow for lighting components, which are mounted on the subwall. Horizontally extending extrusions are aligned and interlocked by an alignment bracket that fits over and fastens to the horizontal extrusions and an intervening vertical extrusion. The panels can be attached to the extrusions via threaded fasteners applied to threaded channels in the extrusions. Alternatively, the panels can fit into unthreaded extrusion channels and be held in place by attachment of a series of overlaying battens.