LIGHT + BUILDING 2026
Lighting the future: why Light + Building 2026 is the global stage UK professionals cannot miss
Light + Building 2026, returning to Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from 8 to 13 March 2026, promises to be the definitive meeting point for architects, lighting designers, engineers, contractors and technology innovators from across the globe. The UK industry is set to play a pivotal role
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n an age where sustainability, digitalisation and design innovation are reshaping how we illuminate and inhabit our built environment, the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology is
more relevant than ever. From the latest in intelligent lighting and smart building solutions to cutting edge energy management systems, Light + Building remains a vital platform for those shaping the future of our homes, workplaces and cities.
A global hub of innovation
Every two years, Messe Frankfurt becomes the beating heart of the international lighting and building services community. Light + Building draws over 2,000 exhibitors and more than 150,000 visitors from around the world, representing a diverse ecosystem of professionals, from global brands to pioneering startups.
For UK visitors, the event offers a unique opportunity to see where technology, design and sustainability intersect. It is not just a trade fair; it is a crossroads of ideas. Nowhere else do architects and engineers share space with product developers, system integrators and energy specialists, all exploring how buildings of tomorrow can be smarter, greener and more human centric. At its core, Light + Building celebrates the power of light as both a practical necessity and a creative medium. But it also extends far beyond illumination. The show encompasses the full spectrum of building systems technology, including automation, electrical engineering and connected security. This holistic approach mirrors the way buildings themselves are evolving integrated, intelligent and interconnected.
Themes that matter: sustainability meets smart technology
As the world races to meet net zero targets, the drive toward energy efficient, sustainable design has never been stronger. Light + Building 2026 will once again put sustainability and digitalisation at the forefront.
Expect to see how LED innovation, dynamic control systems and IoT enabled solutions
are revolutionising both performance and aesthetics. Manufacturers will unveil luminaires designed with circular economy principles: repairable, recyclable and made with minimal environmental impact. The conversation around embodied carbon and responsible material sourcing will continue to gain momentum, particularly in the architectural lighting sector. On the building side, automation and connectivity are transforming how structures function day to day. Smart systems are enabling data driven management of lighting, heating, ventilation and security, optimising comfort and energy use simultaneously. The fair’s dedicated sections on building automation and energy management will offer a glimpse into the future of truly responsive environments.
Digitalisation: connecting systems, enhancing lives
The integration of digital technology is the thread weaving through every hall at Light + Building. From cloud-based monitoring tools to wireless control systems and AI driven lighting design, digitalisation is unlocking new efficiencies and creative possibilities. UK professionals, many of whom are already engaged in smart building projects through initiatives such as the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) and the UK Green Building Council, will find plenty of inspiration in Frankfurt. The fair’s Intersec Building area, for example, explores how safety, security and automation systems can communicate seamlessly within the modern digital infrastructure. It is a vision of the intelligent building as a living ecosystem: efficient, adaptive and user centric. Digitalisation also plays a crucial role in empowering end users. By integrating intuitive control interfaces and responsive sensors, lighting and building systems are increasingly being designed around human experience. Whether in workplaces that adjust dynamically to natural daylight or residential spaces that respond to our routines, technology is enabling environments that are healthier, more comfortable and more sustainable.
Where design meets engineering
What sets Light + Building apart is its ability to bridge two worlds that are often seen as separate: design and engineering. The fair’s
expansive lighting halls are as much about art and emotion as they are about efficiency and performance. Here, visitors can experience immersive lighting concepts, architectural installations and new materials that redefine what is possible in spatial design. For architects and lighting designers from the UK, this is a rare chance to engage directly with manufacturers and creators, to see and feel the impact of light on architecture. Discussions around human centric lighting, biodynamic illumination and wellbeing-oriented design are expected to take centre stage, reflecting a growing recognition that light shapes not only spaces but also moods and health outcomes. Meanwhile, for building engineers and specifiers, the event offers deep technical insights into the latest systems integration, standards compliance and performance testing methods. The synergy between creative vision and engineering precision is what makes Light + Building such a compelling destination.
An international platform for the uk industry
Despite the challenges of recent years, from supply chain pressures to the complexities of post Brexit trade, UK firms continue to demonstrate remarkable innovation and resilience in the lighting and building technology sectors. Many British manufacturers and design studios will once again be exhibiting in Frankfurt, showcasing their expertise to a global audience. Light + Building provides an invaluable platform for UK businesses to forge partnerships, expand export opportunities and stay competitive in an increasingly connected marketplace. Whether you are sourcing new products, seeking inspiration for your next project or building international relationships, the event represents an unparalleled opportunity to position your business within a truly global context.
Learning, networking and inspiration
Beyond the exhibition stands, Light + Building hosts an extensive programme of forums, lectures and guided tours, covering topics from digitalisation to sustainable urban lighting. The Design Plus powered by Light + Building awards celebrate the most forward-thinking products, while themed zones and live demonstrations provide practical insight into the technologies shaping our industry.
For UK visitors, these experiences are more than educational; they are energising. They offer a sense of where the industry is headed and how British expertise can contribute to the international dialogue on energy, design and technology.
Looking ahead: Frankfurt 2026
As the industry continues to evolve, Light + Building 2026 stands as both a reflection of current trends and a forecast of the future. Its role as a global stage, where innovation meets collaboration, is more important than ever. The next edition promises to deepen the conversation on how we can make buildings more sustainable, more intelligent and more attuned to human needs.
For anyone involved in lighting, building technology or architectural design, the trip to Frankfurt is more than a professional pilgrimage; it is an investment in staying ahead of the curve.
Light + Building 2026, Frankfurt am Main, Germany 8 to 13 March 2026 Visit:
https://light-building.messefrankfurt.com/ frankfurt/
en.html
22 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2025 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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