Frankfurt: The top 10

Ray Molony, editor of Designing Lighting Global magazine and the Circular Lighting Report, chooses his top 10 innovations from this month’s Light + Building 2024 in Frankfurt.

The Light + Building exhibition was substantially back to its pre-pandemic levels of buzz this year and you could see the surprise in the grinning faces of visitors. ‘It’s like the old days!’ was the refrain of more than one regular. It was a shame therefore that the last two days were mired by the travel disruption of concurrent rail and airline strikes, chaos that evoked memories of the ash cloud which wreaked havoc on the event in 2010.?

So could we discern some Big Trends? Miniaturisation, of course; better light quality in terms of colour rendering, efficiency and glare; and some green shoots of sustainability. The latter was less about products and more about the stands. Many big brands had reused their stands or were pledging to do so for future events.?

What also struck me is the resilience of track and spot. First patented (by Anthony Donato of Lightolier) in 1961, it is the lighting platform that refuses to die, maybe because it’s so damn useful.?

It works mechanically, electrically and visually, while still allowing manufacturers the design freedom to develop their own distinct range. The Arkoslight stand, for instance, was packed with lighting people taking photographs of its track and spot. Donato would be proud.?

Here, for what it’s worth, are my top 10 picks of the show. See you in 2026!

Filorail

iGuzzini

With an aperture of just 3.6 mm, Filorail must be the slimmest track on the market. The recessed version effectively disappears into the ceiling, leaving a thread-like line as its only visible presence. Whilst it’s clearly not for every application –?often a track provides a tidy ‘home’ for luminaires –?the Filorail is an impressive technological achievement by iGuzzini.

Salvador 64

Casambi

A logical move from the pioneers of Bluetooth control in lighting. The Salvador 64 brings wired DALI drivers into the Casambi ecosystem, with a unit capable of controlling up to 64 DALI drivers. The DALI luminaires appear in the Casambi network as virtual luminaires, and can grouped and programmed in the app as you would normally with other wirelessly controlled luminaires.?

Black Foster

Arkoslight

The Arkoslight stand in Hall 5 was packed with admirers of its exemplary low-glare track systems, including the Black Foster. Available in 24V and 48V, the minimal track has what the Spanish firm dubs the ‘invisible black’ effect. Put simply, the exceptional light control ensures you can’t see the luminaire unless you’re directly in its beam.?

IQ LUX

XAL

More a brand than a range, IQ LUX made its debut at Frankfurt. It’s essentially a sustainability division of XAL, the brainchild of founder Andreas Hierzer. It is promising to 3D print luminaires using recycled and bio materials such as PLA and regenerated PET. The stand featured a selection of unique 3D printed pendants.?

Skyjack

Neko Lighting

For me, the most sophisticated luminaires are those that handle glare well. After all, glare is essentially wasted light –?and it’s a real negative mark for me in any interior. And while there are many low glare wall washers out there, this addition to the Skyjack range from Swiss firm Neko Lighting oozed precision and class.?

Element

Normalit

Prediction: One day soon, all downlights will made of a modular design. Until then, it’s products like Element that show the way. You spec it by choosing the Core, the common and interchangeable light engine. Needless to say, this component can be changed, upgraded and repaired. You then add other elements to achieve your desired design, functions and? application.

Carex

Rogier Pradier

French outdoor lighting brand Rogier Pradier is about 4 kilometres from the Pyrex glass factory in Chateauroux so it’s logical – and sustainable –?that they should collaborate. Rogier Pradier was keen that it use standard Pyrex products – including a bowl and food dish –?to create its latest range of luminaires. Even the metal is an off-cut from another product.

E-Line Pro

Trilux

Trilux has rethought every aspect its E-Line linear and trunking system range. It’s now remarkably elegant. The gear trays can be placed anywhere and make solid electrical contact. The feed-in is flexible without any visible interference points or collisions. The numbers are great: Ra >90 colour rendering and luminaire efficiencies of up to an astonishing 207lm/W.

D-Wave

Linea Light

D-Wave is one of those products that sparks your imagination with its possibilities.? Linea Light says that it's the first flexible two-axis lighting system on the market and who are we to argue. It’s made from a fully recyclable composite material whose full-length internal pass-through compartments make it possible to insert, for example, wiring and keep it protected.?

Punto

Timberlab

Timberlab’s exterior light poles and posts are bang on trend this year, and the company was rewarded with a stand packed with specifiers. The Dutch firm uses larch, chestnut, cumaru, Accoya and oak wood to create beautiful products that speak of now. The range include bollards, uprights, wall lamps and charging posts for electric vehicles.?