Organisers of the annual Light Middle East Awards have unveiled the shortlists for the 13th edition, featuring 59 projects, products and industry pioneers in lighting design and technology from the region and worldwide.
The ceremony will take place at The Theater at Fairmont Dubai on January 14, 2027.
Held under the theme “Human. Environmental. Artistic. Creating equilibrium in design”, the awards will honour winners across 11 categories covering Projects, Products and Partners. Two new awards, Digital Innovation of the Year and Design Partner of the Year, will be presented for the first time. Dubai-based design firm AE7 leads the 10-strong Digital Innovation shortlist with three nominations, alongside AI-powered tools that translate lighting proposals into immersive 3D environments.
Project of the Year Middle East and Africa has the largest shortlist with 18 finalists, including the Light & Peace Visitors Experience at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, The Red Sea International Airport, the Zayed National Museum and The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp. The International category features seven projects, with entries in Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom.
In the Product category, five entries are shortlisted in each of the Decorative, Indoor and Outdoor Lighting Product of the Year awards, and five companies are shortlisted for Intelligent Lighting Solution of the Year. The Peer Award will be decided by public voting, online and in person on the first day of Light + Intelligent Building Middle East. Four companies are shortlisted for the Manufacturer / Product Partner award.
Abdul Muhsin, Show Director for Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, said the submissions show how the sector is evolving, with a breadth of talent and outstanding projects from across the region and beyond.
A 31-member jury, chaired by Martin Lupton and Sharon Stammers of Light Collective UK, will judge the awards. They run alongside the 20th edition of Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East at Dubai World Trade Centre from January 12 to 14, 2027.
News Source: WAM
