Innovation meets the future: From 8 to 13 March 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building technology returns to Frankfurt, showcasing the industry’s latest developments. Particularly visionary concepts will be honoured with the Designplus Award by Light + Building.
Covering everything from technical luminaires and lighting components to smart building technologies and security systems, the Designplus Award by Light + Building recognises exceptional innovations and sustainable design solutions in the fields of lighting, electrical engineering, and home and building automation. Exhibiting companies are invited by Messe Frankfurt, in collaboration with Stylepark – a platform and magazine for architecture and design – to submit their products for the competition. In addition to a formal awards ceremony, winning brands benefit from two exclusive digital presentation formats and a comprehensive communication programme that highlights their award-winning solutions.
New Categories for Greater Inspiration
Instead of the previous four categories, the competition now comprises six, including two special awards. The expanded structure offers an even broader stage for creative and sustainable solutions. The special categories “Young Innovators +” and “Sustainable Exhibition Stand +” also emphasise Messe Frankfurt’s commitment to supporting young companies and promoting sustainable exhibition design.
Overview of Categories:
• SUSTAINABILITY & FUTURE ENERGY +
Seeking energy-efficient systems, renewable heating solutions, storage technologies, and concepts for circularity and resource conservation.
• SMART & CONNECTED SOLUTIONS +
Products and systems that unlock new efficiency potential through IoT, artificial intelligence, BIM, or intelligent connectivity.
• LIGHTING DESIGN & ATMOSPHERE +
Focusing on luminaires, lighting systems, intelligent controls, and lighting design tools.
• USER EXPERIENCE & INTEGRATION +
Honouring submissions that foster new living and working environments, unite sustainability and design, and place human needs at the centre.
• YOUNG INNOVATORS +
Open to all start-ups and Young Innovators supported by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), as well as exhibitors in the Young Design Area.
• SUSTAINABLE EXHIBITION STAND +
Recognising exhibitors whose stand concepts demonstrate exceptional sustainability.
An independent expert jury—well-versed in the key themes of Light + Building—selects the award winners in a two-step evaluation process. After the initial review of all submissions, a shortlist of nominees is announced, followed by the selection of the winners. The jury assesses which products make a significant contribution to a future-ready building sector.
Both nominated and winning products will be showcased in an online gallery and presented in digital info hubs throughout the exhibition grounds. During Light + Building 2026, winners will be honoured at an official awards ceremony and presented with the exclusive Designplus Award trophy.
Awarded exhibits gain visibility far beyond the trade fair itself. The Designplus Award enjoys high recognition within the industry and strengthens companies’ market positioning in the long term.
Register Now and Take Part
All exhibitors of Light + Building 2026 are invited to submit their innovative, well-designed products to the Designplus Award by Light + Building. The submission deadline is 19 January 2026. The jury meeting will take place on 4 February 2026.
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