Lighting innovation recognised at Light + Building 2026

The prestigious IALD Awards will make their debut in 2026, recognising excellence in lighting design at Frankfurt’s global Light + Building fair.

Excellent lighting design stages architecture, creates atmosphere, blends technical accuracy with aesthetics, and inspires the creation of the built environment. These are precisely the characteristics represented by the IALD International Lighting Design Awards. This prestigious award will be presented for the first time in 2026 at Frankfurt am Main’s Light + Building. This gives lighting design a renewed focus at the trade show.

Light + Building, the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology, brings lighting designers, architects, planners, and decision-makers together to shape the future of lighting. The IALD Awards, which will be presented for the first time in March 2026, will bring the creative dimension of light into sharper focus at this international industry event.

The IALD International Lighting Design Awards are among the world’s most prestigious recognitions in architectural lighting design. The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) presents these awards to projects that excel in design, technical precision, and atmospheric impact. As the international counterpart to the German Lighting Design Award, they set standards and highlight innovative lighting solutions. The 43rd edition will take place in March 2026 as part of Light + Building, in collaboration with the IALD.

“Light + Building is the central platform for lighting design in a global context – an inspiring place where creative ideas, technical innovations and visionary concepts come together. With the IALD International Lighting Design Awards being presented in Frankfurt for the first time, the trade fair gains a new dimension of visibility and becomes even more attractive for the international lighting design community,” says Steffen Larbig, Director Brand Management Light + Building.

Light is a primary focus of Light + Building.

Light in all its forms is central to Light + Building, with manufacturers from all over the world presenting cutting-edge lighting concepts for interior and exterior spaces, ranging from smart, minimalist solutions to surprising lighting effects. The international platform for lighting and building services technology brings modern lighting design to life in all its forms – visually, technically, and atmospherically.

High-quality events supplement the exhibitors’ offerings at the Design Plaza, with lectures, presentations, and talks providing in-depth insights into current trends, topics, and projects. Guided tours provide orientation and new perspectives.

IALD – Partner for exceptional lighting design

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) is a global leader in professional lighting design. For more than 50 years, it has been dedicated to the promotion and recognition of exceptional lighting design. Since 1983, the IALD International Lighting Design Awards have recognised the pinnacle of architectural lighting excellence.

The 42nd IALD International Lighting Design Awards will be held on May 7, 2025, at Lightfair Las Vegas. Lightfair is part of the global Light + Building network, which includes 14 trade fairs on five continents, giving companies access to the most important growth markets for lighting and building services technology.

Light + Building 2026 is the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology.

The next edition of Light + Building will be held in Frankfurt am Main from 8 to 13, 2026. It brings together leading manufacturers, planners, architects, designers, and investors, providing a unique forum for exchanging ideas on the most recent developments in lighting, electrical engineering, building automation, and security technology.

Companies that confirm their participation by April 30, 2025, will benefit from favourable early booking terms and a non-binding stand space proposal. Regular stand rental rates apply from May onwards.

For more details, visit: www.light-building.com/participation