International Student Competition
Lights On! Rethinking the Smart Lighting Object
The Challenge
Design a new kind of smart luminaire
LS2026 invites students to design an indoor or outdoor luminaire where intelligence goes beyond technology. Smartness may emerge through the creative management of light, adaptability, interaction, installation, energy efficiency, sustainable materials, or new fabrication methods.
The proposal should unite function, aesthetics and spatial experience, with particular attention to how light is emitted and how the object is made, used and positioned.
Who Can Enter
Undergraduate and postgraduate students
Open to currently enrolled students in Design and Lighting educational programmes at Higher Education Institutions and Colleges. Entries may be individual or team submissions, with no limit on the number of proposals.
Awards
Two IEEE First Prizes
Shortlisted entries will also receive a Certificate of Merit or Excellence.
Indoor Lighting Fixture
First Prize awarded by IEEE.
Outdoor Lighting Fixture
First Prize awarded by IEEE.
Smart Experience Award
Powered by KAFKAS, with potential support for developing a functional prototype, subject to technical feasibility.
Key Dates
Competition timeline
Competition announcement
Deadline for questions
Publication of answers
Submission deadline
Shortlist announcement
Results, awards and exhibition opening
Submission Checklist
What to prepare
- One A1 portrait board in PDF format, at 300 dpi and no larger than 25 MB, based on the official template.
- Dimensioned plan, sections and elevations at 1:10, 1:5 or 1:2 scale.
- A digital folder with all individual drawings and images used on the board.
- An English description of up to 500 words in DOCX or PDF format.
- The completed participant and proposal details form, proof of payment, and a student status certificate for every participant.
- A unique five-character code made of uppercase Latin letters and numbers must identify every submission file.
Participation Voucher
€50 per submission
One voucher is required for every proposal. It includes competition participation and conference attendance for one person; proof of payment must be included in the submission. Presenting a scientific paper requires separate conference registration.
Register for the CompetitionImportant AI Policy
AI-generated design work is not permitted
AI tools are strictly prohibited for conception, design, development and visualization. They may only be used for grammar, spelling and language correction, and that use must be declared.
Competition Files
Read the complete brief and start your entry
The full call for entries contains all eligibility, submission, jury, results and intellectual-property details. Submit completed proposals to LS2026competition@gmail.com.