The upcoming programme will feature a balanced lineup comprising nine distinct project categories and four product categories. Together, these categories span the entire breadth and depth of modern lighting design, engineering, and specification. A major highlight of this year’s structural revision is the complete removal of the previous high- and low-budget divisions that categorised past entries. In place of budget-based tiers, all future submissions will now be grouped directly by project type. Organisers explain that this streamlined approach will significantly simplify the voting process for participants and judges alike, while enabling much more consistent, like-for-like comparisons between competing works.
The nine restructured project categories cover a comprehensive spectrum of the built environment where illumination plays a transformative role. These categories embrace everything from commercial and hospitality spaces to cultural institutions, public installations, and private residences, reflecting how lighting professionals continuously shape human experiences in architecture. Alongside the project segments, four dedicated product categories will cover architectural lighting, decorative fixtures, bespoke lighting creations, and the advanced technology used to support, manage, and control modern lighting systems. By acknowledging both the creative fixtures and the technical backbone of the industry, the awards capture the holistic nature of contemporary lighting practice.
A cornerstone of the [d]arc awards that continues to distinguish it from many other design competitions is its established peer-to-peer voting model, which will remain firmly in place for the 2026 programme. The evaluation process begins when a specially curated guest panel of international designers, independent lighting designers, and other respected design professionals carefully reviews and shortlists the submitted entries. Once the official shortlist is established, the wider global lighting design community of peers is invited to vote for the entries they believe genuinely set the highest industry standard. This democratic, designer-led voting process ensures that the ultimate winners carry immense credibility within the international creative community.
Professionals looking to participate in the programme can take advantage of an early-bird submission rate of £200, which will remain available until 12 November. The call for entries is open to a wide array of creative practitioners, welcoming submissions directly from lighting designers, architects, interior designers, and manufacturing companies who have brought remarkable lighting concepts to life. Whether working on massive urban infrastructure or intimate interior details, eligible creators from across the globe have a limited window to secure the early registration fee before the deadline passes.
Looking ahead to the grand finale, the 2027 [d]arc awards ceremony has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 24 March 2027. The high-profile event will be hosted at Old Billingsgate in London, a historic and striking venue that provides a dramatic backdrop for the festivities. The ceremony will bring together the international lighting design community for an evening of networking, fine dining, entertainment, and the much-anticipated live announcement of the winners across all project and product categories. For further information regarding the specific categories, submission guidelines, and event details, interested participants and attendees can visit the official darc awards website to explore the comprehensive resources available for this year’s cycle.
