Abstract: The invention generally comprises a compact luminaire enclosure that preferably contains about 14 to 18 cubic inches of air volume and can be used safely with a 50 watt luminaire. The luminaire enclosure comprises a housing and a shroud that is removably attached to the housing. The shroud has a non-planar face that prevents the shroud from laying flat and trapping heat if the enclosure is placed on or falls on a flat surface. The housing can comprise polyetherimide, which has very good heat dissipation properties. The shroud may also comprise polyetherimide. The compact luminaire enclosure of the invention further comprises an internal thermal lamp shield recessed within the housing. The internal thermal lamp shield comprises highly specular material so that it is able to reflect much of the heat coming from an enclosed luminaire. In one embodiment of the invention, the luminaire comprises anodized aluminum.