Lighting trends in Frankfurt

The fourth Light+Building event in Frankfurt ended with an attendance figure that was unexpectedly up by a double-digit figure. Altogether approximately 2 100 exhibitors welcomed 134 489 visitors (2004: 116 000 visitors) to the international trade fair for architecture and technology from 23 – 27 April. This amounts to growth of 16 per cent, or 18 000 visitors, when compared with the last event two years ago. The degree of internationality went up to 32 per cent (2004: 27 per cent), which means one in every three visitors came from abroad.
“Light” managed once again to position itself as the largest sector, unrivalled even in global terms, with around 1 350 of the total of 2 098 exhibitors on a space of approx. 80 000 m². Light+
Building has with time developed into an essential date for buyers in the European DIY retail trade, since nowhere else is such a broad spectrum of decorative lighting presented as in Frankfurt.
Variety is the key concept where both materials and design are concerned, so that the portfolio ranges from the traditional through to retro models as well as totally way-out ideas. The materials used for the shades and bases of the light fixtures to protect the light source from the eyes of the user, appear to have taken as their motto, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” And the wealth of shapes – symmetrical, asymmetrical, linear or curved – remains unbroken. The inner workings prove to be either conventional, with simple bulbs for general use, or forward-looking, innovative lamps with sophisticated reflector technology and sometimes even LEDs.
Glass, both white and clear, is a material that represents timeless elegance and style. But it can also be used to set new trends in the shape of colourful or artistically designed lamp shades – alongside small, round ones, a range of diverse flower shapes and more exuberant versions are entering the scene.
Acrylic is also available as a transparent material for clear or coloured shade and base variants.
Polycarbonates continue to maintain their place in the world of lighting materials, for they can very easily be used to create unusually shaped shades.
Metal lamp shades are starkly technical in appearance. They are available in linear variants made from stainless steel sheet with a matt finish, or from a cheaper metal finished to look like stainless steel. Coming into favour once again is polished chrome, a finish that brings a touch of luxury.
Colourful accents created by special light sources now…