Centre Stage for light

Under this principle, architecture both inside and outside can be strengthened if form follows function. This effect is particularly visible when the subject is that of light. Therefore, along with the strategic employment of windows or light shafts, cleverly placed luminaires are more and more frequently also taking over the role of 'natural' light source. Already, thanks to highly efficient LED technology, almost bodiless, they often completely dispense with a shape of their own. The focus is on pure light.

This aesthetic theory of light fulfils individual needs not just in private spaces. Functional luminaires are relevant particularly in the working environment. That is to say, wherever personal wellbeing has a direct impact on a worker's performance. Thus constant mental concentration under conditions similar to daylight is significantly easier than under pulsating neon tubes or in offices with the character of a darkroom. Plus the fact that contemporary lighting technology can be easily adapted to changes in overall general conditions. In a hospital, for instance, variable shades of lighting may promote significantly reduced recovery times. Blue tones excite, while red tones have a calming effect. The name of the technology: human-centric lighting.

But functional-aesthetic luminaires are popular as a design element, too. Light has the ability not only to show formal language, but to support it. Position, intensity, angle of beam, spectrum of light – all these are factors which make the particular attribute of the building or interior into something which can be experienced. This effect is only unbroken, though, if the lamp itself does not attract too much attention to itself. A further stylistic advantage is the new flexibility of this species of lamp. The light portfolio is so large that in one and the same room scenarios are possible which imitate glittering sunlight just as successfully as huge sunsets or powdery aerial mist.

Under the top theme of 'Fascinating', Light + Building 2020 will be staging a series of light and lamp design themes. These will include 'functional aesthetics.' This theme will focus on luminaires which stay in the background to the benefit of the light itself.

From 8 to 13 March 2020, Light + Building will form an international light spot for architects, interior designers and planners, among others. Along with design, networking and thus the digitalisation of light – as a dynamic element within the intelligent building – will play a central role.

This trend can also be seen at first hand at the special area of ZVEI. There one of the hot topics is LaaS – Light as a Service. Here the ZVEI will be demonstrating the efficacy of services in the lighting sector. LaaS makes light into a service asset, in the way that rental vehicles, leased printers or rented offices already are. In this way in particular lighting providers can open up a secondary line of sales revenue vis-a-vis professional clients. The area at Light + Building 2020 will have a representative space in Hall 3.0 at the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre.

At the same time, Light + Building will be presenting its Trend Forum in Hall 6.2. For this show Stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano, as commissioned by the leading international trade fair, has been researching shapes, colours and materials all over the world, which will excite consumers in future. In the Trend Forum the style analysts will be arranging the future of living in three scenarios – 'Organic Sculptures', 'Studied Masterpieces' and 'Inventive Collages.'