In July and August 2024, VELUX Group invited nearly 100 architects, entrepreneurs, designers and journalists from 12 countries to live at Living Places Copenhagen as part of an experiment that builds on years of research led by VELUX Group in scientifically monitoring different model homes to better understand how building design impacts residents' comfort and satisfaction while assessing indoor environmental quality and its effects on human well-being.

Living Places explores how to build homes with an ultra-low CO₂ footprint and an optimal indoor climate using standard materials, methods and technologies available today.

Using 17 environmental sensors strategically placed in the two houses, a questionnaire as well as personal testimonies, VELUX Group examined the houses' indoor comfort performance in terms of indoor air quality, thermal comfort, natural light levels and noise as well as guests’ perceptions of the houses’ functional comfort, such as the layout, their experiences with the community and atmosphere, and their overall satisfaction with the houses.

Five key conclusions from the Living Places Living experiment

1. Living Places can inspire and showcase how to build sustainably
For over 20 years, the VELUX Group has initiated and participated in more than 30 demonstration buildings exploring the future of healthy buildings through full scale experiments. In 2021, VELUX Group launched an open innovation process to change the way we build today towards more sustainable practices and to decarbonize buildings. The result, Living Places, shows that it is possible to build more sustainable and healthy buildings using standard materials, methods and technologies that are available today.

2. Healthy buildings that are good for people and the planet can be achieved by applying a holistic approach focusing more on comfort, energy and environment parameters
Advocating for the well-being of people and the planet requires a holistic approach to sustainable living and building practices that looks at the entire life cycle of a building, from design and construction to use.

3. The way we design our homes can significantly influence residents' well-being and their way of living
Our homes are an important part of our overall health. We spend 90% of our time indoors, yet 1 out of 3 Europeans is exposed to at least one indoor climate hazard such as lack of daylight, cold, damp or noise, according to the Healthy Homes Barometer 2022 and Healthy Buildings Barometer 2024. The way we build and live directly impacts our physical and mental health. The design of the house and indoor environment has a strong positive impact on residents' well-being, with over 70% of Living Places guests reporting improved mood, increased relaxation, and a sense of connection to nature while experiencing minimal negative effects.

4. The design of Living Places Copenhagen, which optimizes daylight and natural ventilation, has been well-received by guests
Designed to optimize daylight and natural ventilation, 83% of all guests favoured spending time in rooms with more natural light while 90% also found it easy to adjust the shadings to ensure an optimal indoor environment. As part of creating well-being at home, functional factors like design, layout, temperature, lighting, and indoor climate can invoke immediate feelings of physical comfort in a building. During their stay, 85% of the guests perceived the houses to fit their functional needs.

5. Living Places Copenhagen has achieved an indoor thermal environment within the comfortable range according to the European Standard
On a conceptual basis, Living Places had been awarded a first-class indoor climate. The results indicate "comfortable ranges" which reflect the actual performance during the experiment period which included the indoor temperature being within the best level of the European Standard (EN 16798-1:2019 standard (Category I)) 89% of the time in one house and 90% of the time in the other and within the comfortable range of the European Standard (EN 16798-1:2019 standard (Category II)) 98% of the time in both houses.

To learn more visit: Build for Life - Living Places Learnings 

In collaboration with VELUX and IDA, Roskilde Festival challenged students to build elements for a lounge area for festival guests using VELUX window frames. Since the start of the competition in March, 50 groups participated in the challenge. Of these, 11 groups were selected to present their furniture concepts to a jury of experts in innovation, design, and sustainability at Roskilde Festival.

Focus on circularity

The competition is about rethinking building methods. The construction industry is a significant CO2 emitter, therefore we need to change our mindset when building by reusing and selecting more sustainable materials. The Sustainability Challenge at Roskilde Festival aims to test the next generation's creativity and their ability to think in a more circular way.

Unlike previous years, where the focus was on building solutions from various recyclable materials, this year's participants were required to construct their furniture using window frames made out of scrap wood from VELUX window production. The materials were provided to the finalists two days before the finale.

FRAME wins Sustainability Challenge 2024

The project ‘FRAME’ won the competition. The four winners behind it are Maria Lykke, Emilie Funderud, Anders Nielsen, and Caroline Brarup Schäfer, all study Furniture Design at VIA Design & Business in Herning. They used plexiglass and nine VELUX window frames to create an installation at Roskilde Festival.  ‘FRAME’ focused on community and interaction by providing spaces to sit, relax, and share festival experiences by writing on the plexiglass panels. The project also emphasised sustainability, since the solution could be easily packed up, and reused after the festival. 

Impressed jury members

The projects were built and came to life in just 48 hours after being initially conceived and developed in March, when the competition began. The ideas were refined to the last minute detail and selected to be built and ready for the finale within two days and it was this level of dedication that impressed the jury.

The winning group received DKK 10,000, and their solution will be exhibited near the Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival so guests can use it for the rest of the festival. Selected projects will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the Circular Laboratory at Roskilde Festival to further develop their ideas.

Read more about this year's competition here.

Cranes and robots will help prepare, pack and send roof windows, roller shutters and other accessories to customers throughout the Nordic region. This will take place in the VELUX Group's first large high-tech warehouse, located in a 24,000 m² building in Kolding.

Lars Petersson, VELUX Group CEO, looks forward to taking another step towards improving the VELUX customer experience:

Solar energy powers technology
In 2024, around 80 percent of the power for the automated warehouse will come from an adjacent 6,000 m² solar park. Electricity generated by solar panels will power robots, cranes and a monorail that will move pallets around the warehouse, with robots then packing windows and other products on top of them. Then the pallets are transported to a truck for onwards delivery to customers.

Sending windows, roller shutters, blinds and accessories in one shipment to customers will also reduce the number of trucks used for distribution, thereby cutting CO₂ emissions from transportation.

VELUX has set ambitious 2030 targets to reduce CO₂ emissions: emissions from its own operations are to be reduced by 100% and emissions throughout the value chain are to be reduced by 50%.

More windows to customers
The high-tech warehouse can handle up to 50 percent more goods than a manual warehouse, and the robots are programmed to handle more complex tasks. At the same time, the use of cranes and robots improves ergonomics for warehouse employees.

Facts:

• Building prepared from November 2021 to June 2022 to be ready for installation of automation system.
• System installed from June 2022 to June 2023.
• First intake of products happened in August 2023.
• First outbound deliveries to customers occurred in September 2023.
• Kolding warehouse combines three smaller manual warehouses into one: Previously, spare parts were located in Østbirk, blinds and other accessories in Skjern and roof windows in Kolding.
• A roof window weighs on average 53 kg.
• The warehouse contains 12 robots - two 2 picking robots and 10 pallet cranes.
• A solar park provides 80 percent of the power - to be completed in Q3 of 2024.
• The high-tech warehouse can handle up to 50 percent more goods than a manual warehouse.
• VELUX has invested more than DKK 100 million in the highly automated warehouse.

Germany

• JTJ Sonneborn Industrie GMBH

The suspension of production affects approximately 300 employees. Approximately 100 employees will continue to work at the facility, which in addition to production, also includes a warehouse. They will handle orders and ensure customer deliveries.

Poland

• NB Polska Sp. z o.o.
• NM Polska Sp. z o.o.

The suspension of production affects approximately 1,500 employees.

Hungary

• VELUX Magyarország Kft, LKR-Hungary

The suspension of production affects approximately 800 employees.

Slovakia

• Partizánske Building Components – SK s.r.o.

The suspension of production affects approximately 450 employees.

Denmark

• A/S Østbirk Bygningsindustri
• Skærbæk Bygningsindustri A/S
• Velterm A/S
• Thyregod Bygningsindustri A/S

The suspension of production affects approximately 350 employees. Approximately 250 employees will continue to work at Østbirk, Velterm and Skærbæk combined.

A limited number of employees will be available to handle emergencies related to all locations affected.

The decision to suspend production at the CEE and Danish locations follows a previous announcement to suspend production at four manufacturing facilities in France until at least March 27, affecting approximately 400 employees.

The VELUX Group will continue to monitor the development of the Corona (COVID-19) virus spread and the resultant impact on sales and will take additional measures accordingly. Our focus during these difficult times is on keeping our employees and our business partners safe and on our societal duty to assist in preventing the spread of the virus, while securing deliveries to our customers.

Read about other Corona virus preventive measures that we have taken in our global organisation.

Let the light in 
Around 5% of the world’s population is, according to the Lighting Research Center in the US, hit by some sort of depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD)¹, characterized by recurrent depressive episodes in the autumn and winter.  

While the cause for feeling blue or depressed is not yet fully uncovered, studies in the past 20 years have documented how exposure to bright light significantly affects our wellbeing and can help reduce the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder². Symptoms of SAD can be increased feeling of depression, reduced interest in various activities, sleepiness and irritability, and increased appetite and consequent weight gain³.  

Something as simple as pulling your curtains back and pulling up your blinds can let more light into your home. Also, pay attention to when you shut them again: wait until the sun has fully set or they can deprive you of what little sunshine your home is getting at this time of year. During work hours, ensure to work close by a window, as they provide at least as much light as a light box, also used in some parts of the world as treatment of SAD². 

Transform spaces If you don’t have enough light coming into your home, you might want to consider a more permanent solution. Whether you want to improve an existing room or create new space and maximize the amount of sunlight coming into your home.

When thinking about adding an extension to your home, it’s important to consider the function of this space and how you best can maximize it. By placing a roof window over a kitchen table or work top, you can transform this space, making it enjoyable when preparing meals and ensure you’re exposed to natural light, or for children completing their homework. 

For those whose renovation plans are focused on an existing room in the home then designing with light in mind can also have a transformative power. Think about the direction the room faces and position seating in places where the light is most likely to fall. Adding another window is always worth considering if possible. If a roof window isn’t an option, VELUX sun tunnels are also a great alternative. 

Sources

[1] Lighting Research Center: https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/daylighting/dr_health.asp

[2] Wehr et al. (1991). https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/daylighting/dr_health.asp

[3] Wirz-Justice et al. ”Natural’ light treatment of seasonal affective disorder” (1995). https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/daylighting/dr_health.asp

For more than 75 years, the VELUX Group has created better living environments for people around the world with its passion for quality solutions that provide daylight and fresh air to millions of homes worldwide. Vario by VELUX draws heavily on this wealth of experience, allowing consumers to build a truly custom creation and craft the ultimate blend of natural light, with their choice of shape, size, colours, features and finishes. The new offering also brings to life an exciting 2D to 3D living concept allowing consumers to experience a different dimension in home design. From the initial inspiration through to, selection of the best solution, installation process and direct delivery services, the Vario by VELUX process is simple and seamless.

British homes are now 32% smaller than they were in the 1970si and, as a result, the need for unique space-creating solutions to enhance the diverse shapes and sizes of UK homes has arisen, particularly as our families grow. Home extensions are the perfect way to create more functional and enjoyable living spaces that bring in daylight and fresh air and create the perfect environment to spend time. Combined with Vario by VELUX’s high-quality and meticulous approach to materials, design and architectural trends, customers can be assured the Vario by VELUX products will have a second to none, truly second-to-none finish.

The new Vario by VELUX product range offers the perfect bespoke rooflight solutions to suit any living space from a world-renowned brand trusted in quality, with over 75 years of knowledge and experience. The Vario by VELUX range will be available for order from June. For more information please visit www.vario.velux.com.

Nature can reduce stress and increase wellbeing
Restorative environment research studies have also documented how being in nature or exposed to nature can increase wellbeing. 

A new research review conducted by independent research institute RAND Europe on behalf of VELUX, has also identified several studies that find a positive association between people’s exposure to nature and their mental health and wellbeing, for instance helping reduce people’s perceived stress state.

77% believe they should change daily routines to reconnect with nature, according to the YouGov Survey​

The survey found that 77% think they should make changes to their daily routine and lifestyle to enable them spend more time in nature. In Italy the number is significantly higher, with 88% thinking they should make changes. Similarly, Canada is also the nation in which percentages are the highest of people spending an average of one hour or less a day in nature in the past month (69% compared to a 52% global average).

Aside from having a positive impact on mental wellbeing, 86% of Austrians believe that having access to nature, daylight and fresh air has a positive impact on physical health, and 84% of people in Poland believe that it has a positive impact on quality of sleep. In the US its positive impact on stress levels (71%) was the most popular opinion. Inside the home, two thirds (66%) of all respondents enjoy watching the weather through a window. In Poland and Slovakia people are particularly fond of bringing nature inside with the majority enjoying having house plants (76% and 73% respectively).

This new population survey echoes VELUX’s new global campaign, ‘Let nature back in, which highlights the risks of a nature deficient society. It explores the effects that indoor-based lifestyles can have on our overall wellbeing amid a shift to an increasingly urbanized population, illustrated in a film directed by Martin de Thurah, showing how children from previous generations played outdoors, to the children of today who are far more likely to stay inside in front of various screens.  

To learn more, go to outsidein.velux.com.

However, the type of renovation that is right for you and your family will often depend on your personal needs and desires. If your children are getting older and want separate rooms, or if you are planning for a new baby then a loft conversion could be a great solution. A kitchen extension is a good idea if you’re looking to entertain more or make space for busy family routines. But whatever improvements you are planning, light and air should always be considered. By making small changes and adjustments to your renovation plans to prioritize these elements, you can make a big difference to the look and feel of a space and create new uses of your space.
 

The best renovation ideas for your needs by Athina Bluff, Founder & Senior Designer, and Amy Brandhorst, Senior Designer, of Topology Interiors. 
 

If your family is growing…

A loft renovation 

Extending up is a great way to make use of the space in your property. Loft conversions are becoming increasingly popular for those who need an additional room or two, as they are often comparatively cheaper than moving to a new house. To make the most of the loft’s location at the top of the house, I suggest letting in as much light as possible via the roof and painting the walls and ceilings in light colors to open up the room. Roof windows are also great for adding ventilation to a loft room and provide a means for controlling the temperature. 

If you want to entertain more…

An extension 

If you’re thinking about adding an extension to your home, it’s important to consider the function of this space and how best you can maximize it. Often people extend to create extra kitchen or dining space, creating a real hub of the home, where the family can congregate to cook, eat and spend time with one another. By placing a roof window over a kitchen table or work top, you can transform this space, making the surroundings more pleasant for cooking or doing homework. Having the ability to let fresh air in from above is also helpful for removing cooking smells. Sliding doors in to a garden are also great for bringing the outside in and are worth considering. 

If you want to improve your existing space…

A room overhaul 

If your renovation plans are focused on an existing room in your home then designing with light in mind can have a big impact. Think about the direction the room faces and position seating in places where the light is most likely to fall. Consider using lighter colors to brighten up dim areas and place lamps in shadowy corners. Adding another window is always worth considering if logistically possible. If a roof window isn’t an option, VELUX sun tunnels are also a great alternative. 

To find out more information on how to transform your home with light visit https://www.velux.co.uk/ 

With the acquisition of JET-Group, the VELUX Group becomes one of the leading players in the commercial market in Europe. Combined with its recent acquisitions of Wasco and Vitral, and the ongoing development of VELUX Modular Skylights, the VELUX Group will build a new commercial division to the benefit of customers.

Ralf Dahmer will head the industrial flat roof segment in the VELUX Group’s commercial division.

The VELUX Group announced on October 11 its agreement to acquire JET-Group from Egeria, an independent Dutch investment company. The agreement was subject to approval by competition authorities in Germany and Austria.

The VELUX Group has been the market leader in the residential market for roof windows for more than 75 years. The VELUX Group’s first step into the commercial (non-residential) market was in 2012, when it launched VELUX Modular Skylights (VMS). Today, the strategy is to develop a leading position in this business area through organic growth and acquisitions.

J​et, part of the VELUX Group.
 

Vitral provides flexible skylight and glass-roof systems for the commercial market, to which VELUX launched VELUX Modular Skylights (VMS) in 2012. VMS are large skylight modules for buildings in the commercial market, such as offices, schools, healthcare facilities, shopping malls and retail stores, large public buildings and industrial buildings.

Vitral was founded in 1956 by Villum Kann Rasmussen, who also founded VELUX and whom VKR Holding is named after. VKR Holding sold Vitral in 2005 to a group of investors. At that time, Vitral was a small stand-alone company, which did not have an adequate level of activity to be cost effective or to constitute an independent business area, so therefore VKR Holding was not the right owner.

Since the launch of VMS in 2012 and the recent acquisition of JET-Group, the VELUX Group has developed a strong position in the commercial market. Furthermore, since 2005 Vitral has further developed new, good products and made its production more effective so that the company fits perfectly with the VELUX Group’s new strategy in the market for commercial buildings.

Jens Borelli-Kjær will support Vitral until the acquisition is complete, after which he will be available as a consultant while the company is being integrated into the VELUX VMS organisation.

The VELUX Group has been the market leader in the residential market for roof windows for more than 75 years. The VELUX Group’s first step into the commercial (non-residential) market was in 2012 when it launched the VELUX Modular Skylight (VMS) system. Today, the strategy is to develop a leading position in this business area through organic growth and acquisitions.

The commercial market consists of two main segments:

• An architectural glazing segment, which has a greater focus on design, with architects playing a significant role in selecting glass or acrylic glazing solutions, and
• An industrial flat roof segment, which consists almost entirely of acrylic solutions, such as domes or continuous roof lights (CRLs).

The two segments vary significantly in their target customer groups and sales processes. The VELUX VMS business has a strong presence in the architectural glazing segment while JET has a leading market position in the industrial flat roof segment.

“We look forward to becoming part of the VELUX Group and we see a lot of growth potential and possibilities to strengthen our European business to the benefit of our customers and employees,” says Ralf Dahmer, CEO of JET-Group. Mark Wetzels, Partner at Egeria, is also pleased about the transaction: “I am impressed by the VELUX Group and confident this combination will be good for both companies, their employees and their offering to the market.

“With the acquisition of JET-Group we immediately become one of the leading players in the commercial market in Europe and will begin to merge our VMS operations with the JET-Group to build a new commercial division, which can drive further growth in this market. We also see opportunities to improve JET’s wholesale business by selling some products through the VELUX distribution network, which will also bring more business to our dealer partners. VELUX has always focused on providing daylight and fresh air to create better living and working environments, and the acquisition of JET helps us gain scale and extend our business into a whole new market segment,” says David Briggs, CEO of the VELUX Group.

The acquisition must be approved by the competition authorities in Germany and Austria before it can be completed. The companies will not disclose further information about the transaction until final approval is granted.

Pending approval and subject to completion of the acquisition of JET-Group, JET products will continue to be sold under the JET brand and through the existing organisation, while VELUX will continue to sell VMS products until customers are familiar with the change of ownership and a structured transition to the VELUX brand can be made and communicated to the market. Synergies are expected from developing common functions and key accounts across the two organisations, which will form the basis for a new VELUX commercial division.

VELUX has been assisted in the transaction by EY Corporate Finance and Dentons and Egeria has had Houlihan Lokey and Allen & Overy as advisors.

Where the windows are installed

In this experiment, a total of 93 windows were manufactured using reclaimed timber. The first windows have already been installed in the attics of a public housing complex in The Netherlands. The installation of all windows and the entire roof renovation is expected to be finalised by April 2019.

How the windows differ from standard VELUX roof windows

The quality and functionality of the reclaimed timber roof windows is the same as standard VELUX roof windows. The only difference is that the timber has a few imperfections like nail and screw holes or marks and penetrations from other building materials, such as hinges. The window’s surface, which is visible when installed, is painted white, just like standard VELUX roof windows of this type. To distinguish the reclaimed timber windows from standard roof windows, the timber which is hidden after installation is clear-lacquered to reveal its authenticity.

Evaluation process
The VELUX Group will now assess this first attempt at working with reclaimed timber materials. Every step involved in production will be scrutinised to establish key learnings and identify ways to optimise processes before any decision is made about the commercial viability of manufacturing this type of window. It is too soon to know if there could be a market for reclaimed timber roof windows and therefore if they could become part of the VELUX product range.

Watch the Video

From today, you will be able to see how daylight can reinvigorate and benefit your home on your iPhone or Android smartphone, as the global roof window leader’s app launches in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Built using new advanced gaming technology, this free tool enables you to experience the effect of daylight in a room and get an immersive experience through 360⁰ and virtual reality simulations.

Daylight is vital to our health and well-being. Yet many create areas in the home without considering the impact daylight can have.

MyDaylight is the first ever app that makes daylight tangible, giving you the ability to experiment with it, and understand how it can transform a living space.

You can design a real room in the home by easily selecting parameters such as floor dimensions, roof height and ceiling pitch and then customise further by adding windows, floor and wall finishes, the room’s location, and much more.

After approximately ten minutes, you will receive a personal digital simulation which can be viewed in 360⁰ or virtual reality, giving a life-like recreation of the room and the changing effects of daylight inside. It’s as easy as that!

To imagine and design with daylight in mind you simply:

1. Download the MyDaylight app from the App Store or Google Play Store

2. Configure your space by plotting in data, such as floor dimensions and roof pitch

3. Create different daylight designs by playing with the positioning and size of windows

4. Within minutes, you will receive a notification that your personal daylight render is ready (expect around 1 minute for loading of your simulation the first time you see it, as it loads a big data file)

5. With the rendering saved on your phone, you will be able to experience the room in both 360° and VR formats. By using VR goggles it will make you feel as if you were standing in the middle of the room you just created!

You can play with endless scenarios and designs and create as many simulations as you like. Time and imagination are the only limits.

The MyDaylight app is totally free of charge for everyone and available in the Apple App and Google Play Stores from today, Monday 29 January 2018 in Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, Belgium and Slovenia, and on 30 Jan in Germany.

In February, it will be available in Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain and Hungary, and more countries are to follow later in the year.

A version for the US will be available later in the year.

The exhibition was created by VKR Holding together with the design company Rosan Bosch Studio and lighting designer Kim Borch.

The new, permanent collection of windows is brought to life in the exhibition as a journey through history, in which epochs, window types and exhibition techniques are linked together to give a humanist view of the window via its importance to architecture, town planning and human quality of life.

The exhibition is built up around the Time Tunnel, a linear journey through various spaces and ages. It gives the visitor a tangible and sensory experience of the importance of the window as a source to mankind of light, air and view. In many places, artificial light gives an exquisite illusion of daylight and sunlight by drawing fields of light in floor, walls and window frames. Light has been meticulously worked and every finesse in the lighting toolbox has been put to effective use for the lighting to give the desired effect. Great originality went into the creation of the illusion of the Versailles daylit mirror hall and the light captured so well by the renowned Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi. The kaleidoscope of effects created with artificial light appear perfectly natural in the context of the exhibition.

Award presentation
The Award will be presented at a festive gathering at Bygningskulturens Hus,Borgergade 111, 1300 Copenhagen on Thursday 21 January 2016.

The Danish Lighting Award goes to the team behind the project and will be received by project manager and exhibition manager Dorthe Bech-Nielsen from VKR Holding, architect and project manager Jeppe Kleinheinz from Rosan Bosch Studio and lighting designer Kim Borch.

Four projects were nominated for the Danish Lighting Award 2015. The other projects were; the Interference Interactive Tunnel in Kolding, Langebro in Copenhagen and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek also in Copenhagen.

By now, it is a well-known fact that fresh air benefits our general health. But studies show that we still forget to open our windows on a daily basis. Our indoor climate is regulated by all the activities that go on in our homes. When we light candles, cook supper, dry laundry, turn on a radiator and other routine activities, the need to eliminate unhealthy particles and damp increases.

Automatic airing of the home

With spring just around the corner, it is the perfect time to make some changes to domestic routines and make regular airing a natural, an everyday event. In fact, the recommendation is that it should be short and sweet; windows should be opened three or four times a day, but only for five or ten minutes. If you find it difficult to stick to the routine, VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows can do it for you.

A good indoor climate is created by taking a few simple but effective measures. With the automation system VELUX INTEGRA® it is possible to pre-set your roof window to open automatically and let in fresh air the minute you arrive at home after a full day at work and when you e.g. start cooking to avoid damp and unhealthy particles in the air.
 

About VELUX INTEGRA®

The VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows, blinds and shutters are activated by a touch control pad, either automatically or on-demand, providing a solution of greater control over our daily life and living comfort.

With its eight pre-defined programs for managing day-to-day situations it is possible to pre-set the roof window to automatically open and close and thereby let in fresh air or roll down shutters and blinds to avoid overheating and thus ensure an optimum indoor climate.

The "Good morning" and "Good night" programs let in fresh air for 15 minutes, then raise or lower the blinds. Furthermore, when you are away from home for an extended period, the "On vacation" mode makes it look as if you were home by opening and closing blinds and shutters, and turning lights on and off. Thus, the automation system VELUX INTEGRA® provides the home with several opportunities that enhance a healthy living as well as make the everyday life easier.

VELUX INTEGRA® has been awarded a number of prizes for its design, innovation and intelligent control system. In 2014, it won the international IF Product Design Award due to an excellent product design, intuitive operation, intelligent control pad, simplicity and finally, yet importantly, its affordability.

For further info. please see: www.velux.com/products/product_overview/velux_integra

The VELUX Group opened the order book for the new VELUX classic roof window GVR for use in historical buildings. The objective of the new products is to build a bridge between the building culture of the past and present-day demands for energy and comfort.

Architect Merete Lind Mikkelsen is an expert in modernising historical buildings and contributed her vast knowledge and experience during the development of the new window. She is delighted with the VELUX Group’s new move to preserve the heritage of Danish building traditions.

Classic details bring history alive

At the heart of the development of the new roof window GVR was the objective to create an impression that is firmly rooted in historical architecture.

A historical asset that can be further refined

Although the new roof window GVR was designed to put history at centre stage, it also contains several features that can help property developers and home owners make the most of the full potential of the building. Many projects concerning listed and non-listed buildings involve large roof spaces that can easily be taken into use as living and office space and that can make the project more financially attractive to their developers. And this is where the roof window can be an important component in making a project a bottom-line success.

An important step that must be taken now

Of Denmark’s total building mass of some four million buildings, 9,000 are listed and 335,000 deemed worthy of preservation. Within the next few decades, experts estimate that many of these will require thorough restoration if they are not to fall into complete decay and their cultural and historical value be lost for ever.

The VELUX classic roof window GVR has already made its debut with the restoration of a listed building from 1828 on the island of Falster, south of Copenhagen. The project was financed by private funds and the support of Guldborgsund Municipality and the Danish Agency for Culture.

The classic roof window GVR

Since it was founded in 1941, the VELUX Group has been creating solutions that combine comfort in buildings with user-friendliness and aesthetic appeal. In the development of the new classic roof window GVR, the Group deployed it vast experience to create a product that builds a bridge between building traditions of the past and the future.

The VELUX Group asked it best engineers to develop a roof window that makes it possible to unite modern thinking with historical building tradition. They allied themselves with one of the country’s leading experts in the development of historical buildings, the award-winning architect Merete Lind Mikkelsen. They made her thoughts on building tradition and classical aesthetics their guiding principles. The result is a product that raises the standard of preservation of our shared building heritage and reinforces the VELUX Group’s position as the leading innovator in the business.

In 2011, world-famous designer Karim Rashid created a collection of colourful blinds for the VELUX Group. The partnership marked a new approach by the Group, adding design factor to the blinds category. In 2015, yet another significant collaboration will see the light of day.

The Colour Collection by Scholten & Baijings is rooted in the launch of the Roman Blinds collection. It is a design that takes blinds to a new, decorative level while playing with light, shapes and colours. As such, it is the perfect creative match for Amsterdam- based designers Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings.

As a design duo, Scholten & Baijings celebrate their fifteen-years anniversary in 2015, working for companies such as Pastoe, Thomas Eyck, HAY and Georg Jensen, and have gained international recognition for their graphic designs combining light effects, distinctive fluorescent colours and richly crafted details. This is a design DNA that is at the core of their VELUX Colour Collection, making each blind a functional piece of art and an exquisite, yet easy way to decorate with the style of tomorrow.

Decorative and dynamic design
In fact, introducing the VELUX Colour Collection by Scholten & Baijings means introducing not only a design collaboration but also an entirely new VELUX blinds category − Roman Blinds. Unlike other blinds for roof windows, Roman Blinds offer rich, soft textiles with the possibility and flexibility of positioning them in any way you please – at the top, bottom or middle of the window. The choice is yours − and the effect is amazing. Roman Blinds not only allow you to dim the light, but also let you tailor the blind to the rest of the interior – whether you have gone for sculptural, minimalistic or graphic.

Inspired by nature and individually cut
When the VELUX Group approached Scholten & Baijings with the idea of designing a colour collection for the new Roman Blinds range, they took instantly to the idea of integrating light into the design. Obviously, we use blinds to dim or block out light, but light is also vital to us and has great aesthetic and metamorphic qualities. Light is never the same throughout the day. So Scholten & Baijings took inspiration from the changing light we meet in the morning, at midday and at night and created six individual patterns for their Colour Collection. Three colour styles with light-blocking fabric and three with light-regulating translucent fabric, each of them taking on the natural colours from the blues of morning to greys and evening red.

Each pattern is gradient in true Scholten & Baijings style, with a signature hint of neon, and all fabrics are individually cut. This means that no two blinds are alike, and that the patterns reveal themselves differently depending on how they are sculpted. As an extra decorative detail to the translucent fabrics, the patterns project onto the wall once hit by the sunlight, turning the design into a piece of nature’s own art.

For those finding it difficult to choose from the Colour Collection, the Roman Blinds’ design offers a brilliant solution. The blinds are born with an easy-to-change fabric system that allows you to switch from one design to another with a single click. This makes the designs in the Colour Collection highly dynamic and ever-changing, just like the light from dawn to dusk.

Innovation-driven market leader
Offering a new and unique designer blind to the market in collaboration with one of today’s most successful design studios is in line with the overall ambition of the VELUX Group.

For further information about the Colour Collection by Scholten & Baijings  please see:
New VELUX Roman blinds

Scholten & Baijings in brief

• Founded in 2000 by Stefan Scholten (1972) and Carole Baijings (1973), Dutch born and based in Amsterdam
• Hold a unique niche in the world of Dutch product design
• Known for their fine balance between design and functionality
• Work for companies and institutions around the world from Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum to HAY
• Received several nominations and design awards from Dutch Design Awards to Wallpaper Design Awards

Life Cycle Assessments

When the environmental impact is calculated, all stages of the windows life are assessed - from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal or recycling. Calculations show that the impact of production and disposal is very minimal compared to the potential energy gains or losses during the lifetime of the window in the building.

About the study

The study is based on a model derived by Professor Marilyne Andersen of EPFL in Switzerland. The model relies on photobiology literature to extract threshold light exposures at the eye for various moments of the day and, from there, an indication of how likely a given light exposure is to achieve non-visual effects such as alertness increase or circadian entrainment.

The simulation framework used in the study is developed by Professor John Mardaljevic of the School of Civil and Building Engineering at Loughborough University in UK.

The study is part of an ongoing program of research by Professor Marilyne Andersen at EPFL (to integrate dynamic aspects related to timing, history and spectrum of light exposure) and Professor John Mardaljevic at Loughborough (to extend the simulation capabilities) with the goal of providing a basis for the evaluation of the non-visual effects of daylight that could one day be incorporated in building standards and design guidelines.

• Sustainable Building 2000-2010
• Round Architecture



 
• Green Lighthouse was nominated for the Danish Lighting Award 2010, awarded in December, and received the prize for "Excellent and Beautiful Buildings" in October 2010.
  
  "The prestigious recognitions are a pat on the back for everyone involved in building Green Lighthouse. And we are immensely proud of them," says Lone Feifer.
  
  Today, Green Lighthouse houses a Faculty Lounge, meeting facilities and the Student Service function of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. This places great demands on its functionality as well as climate issues
  
  The unique public-private partnership that transformed a plan into reality comprises the Danish University and Property Agency, VELUX Group, VELFAC A/S, the Municipality of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University.
  
  The partners are still harvesting data and experience from the first year of the building's operation and expect it to be processed and analysed in the spring of 2011.
  
  The eight nominations and awards for Green Lighthouse Award for "Innovative Cooperation" in November 2009 by the Confederation of Danish Industry. Green Lighthouse won the award for the unique fashion in which the partners worked together, resulting in a building that is CO2-neutral, healthy and comfortable.(http://bm.di.dk/Videnom/Marked/Pages/Innovationspris 2008.aspx
  
  Nominated for Climate Cup 2010 award at World Climate Solutions. The jury's justification for the nomination was that Green Lighthouse demonstrates that it is possible to build CO2-neutral buildings without compromising on design, comfort and indoor climate. http://www.climatecup.dk/da/page/449-partnerskabsprisen-2010
  
  Honourable mention in the category of Homes and Commercial Buildings in Building of the Year 2009, presented by the Danish building trade magazine Building.
  
  Award for "Excellent and Beautiful Buildings" in October 2010 by the Municipality of Copenhagen. Green Lighthouse won the award not just because it is a beautiful building but also a visionary project and technological breakthrough. http://www.kk.dk/Nyheder/2010/Oktober/PriserTilSmuktByggeri.aspx
  
  Green Good Design Award 2010. Green Lighthouse was selected from many thousands of buildings from more than 46 countries.http://www.europeanarch.eu/
  
  Nominated among 14 buildings internationally in the category Education and Training at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona in November 2010. http://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/winners.cfm?eventYear=2009
  
  Endorsed and supported by the EU Commission's European sustainable energy campaign.http://www.sustenergy.org/
  
  Nominated for the Danish Lighting Award 2010 as one of five projects.http://www.centerforlys.dk/english.php
  
  Photos
  Photos can be downloaded from www.greenlighthouse.ku.dk


 

Lovegrove is renowned for his work with new materials and for employing the very latest technology. He is a also proponent of Green Design, otherwise termed environmentally conscious design. Previous products he developed for companies such as Louis Poulsen, Vitra, Peugeot, Apple Computers and Tag Heuer are known for their aesthetic appeal.

This is also the case with his newest product, VELUX sun tunnel by Lovegrove. In essence, it is a daylight lamp that uses the sun as a bulb. The new diffuser is an add-on product to VELUX sun tunnels, giving a beautiful light reflectance to the room while allowing the user to adjust the direction of the light.

“We chose to step out of our ordinary way of developing new products when we entered into a partnership with Ross Lovegrove as external designer on this assignment. We believe we have a strong fit and that Lovegrove complements our competencies. He has a high standing in the field of sustainable design and with our vision for creating sustainable living by using the sun and daylight, we have together created a new innovative way to bring daylight into people’s homes,” says director Klaus Lorentzen, the VELUX Group.

The VELUX Group first introduced sun tunnels in 2005 and has since then attained the position as European market leader in this field as well. VELUX sun tunnels are especially suitable for spaces where installation of roof windows is inappropriate or impossible and where electrical light would normally be the only other option. Sun tunnels funnel natural light indoors, to the benefit and well-being of the residents.

Since 2005, VELUX has sold thousands of sun tunnels in 40 countries. With the new VELUX sun tunnel by Lovegrove, the VELUX Group expects to strengthen its market position even further.

“Maximum daylight and ventilation are preconditions for ensuring optimal indoor comfort and minimal energy consumption consistent with the standards of the future. In the EU today, we spend 90% of our time indoors, which is contributing to rising health problems. A sun tunnel offers a solution to this challenge by bringing the outdoor daylight environment indoors,” says director Klaus Lorentzen, the VELUX Group.

Inspired by the concept of harnessing natural light and bringing its purity and uplifting qualities into the home, Ross Lovegrove has developed a design that he believes creates “a moment of enlightenment in the home” - a contemporary interface between the tunnel of light and the interior design of living spaces.

“When I was contacted by VELUX, I felt an immediate affinity with its products and way of thinking that I find human, technologically innovative and democratic,” says Ross Lovegrove.

“I believe the design to be very pure and sincere in its accessibility by a broad spectrum of society. The VELUX sun tunnel itself is a wonderful product with perpetual lifetime values and so my design simply seeks to enhance these properties in an elegant and universal way.”

VELUX sun tunnel by Lovegrove is already an award-winning product. Just recently, the product was awarded the special recognition of the “red dot design award – best of the best 2010” distinction for the highest design quality. With more than 4.250 entries this year from about 60 countries, the international “red dot design award” is the largest and most renowned design competition in the world. Furthermore, VELUX sun tunnel by Lovegrove was presented at the biggest international building exhibition, Batimat, in Paris in November 2009, where it won a design award. The award aims at providing recognition to companies who have launched products created in cooperation with designers.

The VELUX Group is very delighted with the recognition, especially since this is one of the few times VELUX has entered into a partnership with an external designer. But as a com-pany focusing on creating better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof, it was a straightforward decision to team up with Ross Lovegrove. The VELUX Vision is to create sustainable living based on high energy efficiency, use of the sun as a renewable energy source and improving the indoor climate.

"In VELUX we, as daylight engineers, bring daylight into people's life. Our sun tunnel prod-uct line is a natural extension of this and with the new award winning sun tunnel by Love-grove, we give our customers a whole new way of experiencing and controlling daylight. The accessory, which has been developed in a fruitful cooperation with Ross Lovegrove and his team, acts as a daylight lamp where the sun is the bulb. With this kind of wattage our customers can bring daylight into their homes in new ways allowing them to bring a little bit of the outside inside and to enjoy the world-class design of Ross Lovegrove at the same time," says corporate manager Jens Rasmussen, VELUX New Products.

Lovegrove is renowned for his work with new materials and for employing the very latest technology. He is also a proponent of Green Design, otherwise termed environmentally con-scious design. This is also the case with his newest product, sun tunnel by Lovegrove. The new diffuser is an add-on product to VELUX sun tunnels, giving a beautiful light reflectance to the room while allowing the user to adjust the direction of the light.
Ross Lovegrove says:

"I believe the design to be very pure and sincere in its accessibility by a broad spectrum of society. The sun tunnel itself is a wonderful product with perpetual lifetime values and so my design simply seeks to enhance these properties in an elegant and universal way."

The VELUX Group first introduced sun tunnels in 2005 and has since then attained the posi-tion as European market leader in this field as well. VELUX sun tunnels are especially suit-able for spaces where installation of roof windows is inappropriate or impossible and where electrical light would normally be the only other option. Sun tunnels funnel natural light in-doors, to the benefit and well-being of the residents.
Sun tunnel by Lovegrove is already an award-winning product. In Paris in November 2009 the product was presented at the biggest international building exhibition, Batimat, where it won a medal in the design competition. The award aims at providing recognition to compa-nies who have launched products created in cooperation with designers. The VELUX Group will launch sun tunnel by Lovegrove in June this year.
 

About the VELUX Group
The VELUX Group creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. The VELUX product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs. The Group also supplies many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs. The VELUX Group, which has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, represents one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit www.velux.com.