Light Middle East Awards names 59 finalists for its 13th edition
The 13th Light Middle East Awards has shortlisted 59 projects, products and pioneers, including the lighting behind some of the region’s best-known cultural landmarks. Winners will be named on 14 January 2027 at The Theater at Fairmont Dubai, where two new categories, Digital Innovation and Design Partner, will be presented for the first time.
Dubai, 12 November 2026: Organisers of the annual Light Middle East Awards, which celebrates lighting design and technology across the region, have unveiled the shortlists for the programme’s 13th edition, recognising 59 projects, products and pioneers.
The 2027 awards will take place on 14 January at The Theater at Fairmont Dubai, bringing together lighting designers, manufacturers and suppliers from across the region to celebrate and shape the future of the industry.
This year’s programme features regional and international awards across three overarching categories, Projects, Products and Partners, as well as one new standalone award.
A new award for digital innovation
The inaugural Digital Innovation of the Year award celebrates the growing role of software platforms, AI-powered tools, processes and intelligent applications in the way lighting is conceived, controlled and experienced.
AE7, the multidisciplinary design firm from Dubai, leads the 10-strong shortlist with three nominations, including its interactive browser game, Captain Lumen – Bring Back the Stars. Other nominated innovations include Taman Technologies’ AI-powered urban lighting design software, Houston-based Kelvin AI’s specialised smart assistant, and Virtualux by LEDFlex Group, which translates lighting proposals into immersive 3D environments. LEDFlex Group has a record four finalist places across the 2027 programme.
Projects delivering real-world impact
Project of the Year Middle East and Africa (MEA) recognises the most groundbreaking work from the region and has the largest shortlist, with 18 finalists. They include Michael Grubb Studio for the Light & Peace Visitors Experience at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; The Red Sea International Airport by dpa Lighting Consultants; the Zayed National Museum by Foster + Partners and Claude R. Engle Lighting Consultant; and Studio Lumen for The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp. Other finalists include projects from Light and Lives, Nulty, CD+M Lighting Design Group and J Seven Interior Design.
Project of the Year International recognises architectural lighting design in iconic completed projects outside MEA. Its seven-project shortlist features Licht Kunst Licht twice, for the Doshi Retreat at the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein and The Florentin in Frankfurt am Main. Delta-Theta Lighting Design Consultants also appears twice, with the five-star beachfront Mandarin Oriental resort at Costa Navarino in Greece, and Mezzogiorno at Corinthia London.
The most coveted award of the night, Light Middle East Project of the Year, represents the best overall project for 2027. It will be presented to the finalist with the highest overall score across the MEA shortlist, as judged by a jury panel of lighting design experts from seven countries, including China, Germany, the United States, Spain and India.
“The calibre of submissions demonstrates how the sector is evolving, with outstanding work showcasing new ideas, technological advancements, and creative approaches both from this region and worldwide.” – Abdul Muhsin, Show Director, Light + Intelligent Building Middle East
“The Light Middle East Awards play a vital role in recognising and celebrating innovation across the industry,” said Abdul Muhsin, Show Director for Light + Intelligent Building Middle East. “The calibre of submissions demonstrates how the sector is evolving, with outstanding work showcasing new ideas, technological advancements, and creative approaches both from this region and worldwide. The breadth of talent represented, together with the insight and experience of our distinguished international jury, helps ensure the awards remain a respected recognition platform that drives the industry forwards.”
Products defining the industry’s future
Four product awards recognise companies taking a future-focused approach to performance, efficiency, sustainability and aesthetics.
Decorative Lighting Product of the Year has five finalists: Cespuglio by iGuzzini, Grapa Pendant by Pencilight, Marmo Panel by LEDFlex Group, Mirror Light Sculpture by Guangdong Media Facade Company, and Papylia by Linea Light Group.
Indoor Lighting Product of the Year finalists are Aero Light’s ATA Touchscreen Track Lighting System, Corporate Friends’ C1-NANO-HC, Eyeconic Pro by Phos, Lumencore Linear Graze by Lumenpulse, and Portal by Fluxwerx.
Outdoor Lighting Product of the Year nominees are Beret Blade by Linea Light Group, Calumma Arts by Anolis – A Robe Lighting Business, DS by Dark Source & Griven, Flexi Optico Wave by LEDFlex Group, and the FILIX RDT200 Architectural In-Grade Luminaire by Luminii.
Five companies are shortlisted for Intelligent Lighting Solution of the Year: Aero Light, Microfios Technologies, Shanghai Shylon Optoelectronics Technology, Reggiani + Molex, and Atios.
The final product award, the Peer Award, is decided by public vote, both online and in person on the first day of Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, the annual exhibition running from 12 to 14 January 2027 at Dubai World Trade Centre. All shortlisted product entries are eligible.
Brands advancing lighting and intelligent spaces
In the Partner category, the Manufacturer / Product Partner award is reviewed by a local judging panel and recognises suppliers, distributors and manufacturers based across MEA that have demonstrated excellence in lighting innovation, product delivery and collaboration. The shortlist includes Guangdong Media Facade Company, Inventronics, LEDFlex Group and NEXhome Smart Technologies.
The new Design Partner of the Year award recognises clients, architects, interior designers and landscape designers who collaborate with the lighting design community to create inspiring, innovative and impactful environments. Nominations come from the local jury panel, and the winner will be decided by the international judges.
An international jury
Chaired by Martin Lupton and Sharon Stammers, Co-Founders of Light Collective UK, the Light Middle East Awards are judged by a panel of 31 local and international experts, with innovation, sustainability and design excellence at the forefront of each decision. The full judging panel is listed on the official awards website.
