In 2026, Light + Building once again played a key role in recognising innovative products and designs, offering a range of prestigious awards and platforms.
Designplus Award by Light + Building
At Light + Building 2026, 13 companies were honoured with the Designplus Award. An independent expert jury selected the winners from a total of 91 submissions, with particular emphasis on sustainability, innovation, as well as functional and design quality.
Exhibitors at Light + Building had the opportunity to submit their innovations in the following five categories:
- SUSTAINABILITY & FUTURE ENERGY +
- SMART & CONNECTED SOLUTIONS +
- LIGHTING DESIGN & ATMOSPHERE +
- USER EXPERIENCE & INTEGRATION +
- SUSTAINABLE EXHIBITION STAND +
The awarded solutions reflected the diversity of the industry – ranging from lighting technology and smart building solutions to forward-looking safety concepts. The award ceremony took place on the first day of the fair at the Design Plaza. In addition, the winning products were showcased in digital info hubs throughout the exhibition.
Discover the winners of the Designplus Award by Light + BuildingIALD Awards
The 43rd IALD International Lighting Design Awards ceremony was held on 10 March 2026 in collaboration with Light + Building for the first time.
The IALD Awards are among the most prestigious international honours for architectural lighting design. Presented by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), they recognise projects distinguished by exceptional creativity, innovation, and technical expertise.
The ceremony provided the global lighting design community with an opportunity to connect with leading professionals, manufacturers, and innovators from across Europe and beyond.
Lighting-for-Excellence Student Award 2026
With the Lighting-for-Excellence Student Award, the FILD – Federation of International Lighting Designers – honours outstanding student projects in architecture, interior architecture, and related disciplines that view light as a defining architectural element.
Six projects were awarded for their conceptual clarity, design quality, and the convincing integration of function, emotion, and technical feasibility. The award strengthens lighting design as an independent discipline and highlights the professional role of lighting designers.