VELUX ’Best Use of Natural Light’ prize awarded at World Architecture Festival
This new prize acknowledges the work of professional architects in demonstrating the unique use of daylight in their completed buildings.
The VELUX Group is proud to announce that the transformation of the Smith Campus Center at Harvard University, by Hopkins Architects, London, is the global winner of the ‘Best Use of Natural Light’ prize. Sponsored by VELUX, the prize was granted at the World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam. It is the first time that WAF has awarded this special prize.
The project delivers on many levels. It provides a sanctuary of retreat and refuge, where access to daylight and blurred boundaries of interior and exterior create a seamless mixture of public and private spaces that sensitively enhance an iconic development,
The jury, consisting of Johan Carlsson from JAC Studies, Shane Kelly from TP Bennett and Per Arnold Andersen, VELUX Group, chose the winner from a shortlist of seven finalists. The prize was awarded at the World Architecture Festival’s gala dinner on December 6.
“I am really pleased that this project is the very first winner of the ‘Best Use of Natural Light’ prize. This transformational project is a truly great example of how a big and dense building complex can be renovated in an innovative way. The architects took a radical approach to opening up the ground floor to nature, by incorporating daylight, well-being and retreat into the daily life of the campus,” says Per Arnold Andersen, Special Advisor, Architect MAA.
About the prize
The ‘Best Use of Natural Light’ prize is a new category among Special WAF Prizes. The prize is sponsored by VELUX and it showcases the unique use of a daylighting in completed buildings. Special emphasis is put on projects that consider the impact on human well-being, performance and joy. For more information about the ‘Best Use of Natural Light’ prize and all seven shortlisted entries, visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/use-light-2019.
Special recognition of benefits of daylighting in buildings
The VELUX Group is pleased that WAF, which we have been co-operating with for several years, is acknowledging the benefits daylight brings to buildings. This prize recognises architects behind projects that showcase a unique use of daylighting. It’s a great opportunity to see how architects master daylight and daylight conditions in their buildings,
About WAF
The World Architecture Festival is an annual festival and awards ceremony, which brings together more than 2,000 architects to be inspired by some of the most innovative projects (completed building projects and future projects) from around the world and to network with peers. At the festival, more than 500 architects present their projects live to a judging panel. One of these projects is awarded the World Building of the Year title. In addition, there are several other awards. The first WAF was held in 2008. The VELUX Group has been a sponsor of WAF since 2015. See all WAF 2019 overall winners.
About the VELUX Group
For more than 80 years, the VELUX Group has created better living environments for people around the world; making the most of daylight and fresh air through the roof. Our product programme includes roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products and roller shutters, as well as installation and smart home solutions. These products help to ensure a healthy and sustainable indoor climate, for work and learning, for play and pleasure. We work globally – with sales and manufacturing operations in more than 36 countries and around 11,000 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by non-profit, charitable foundations (THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS) and family. In 2022, the VELUX Group had total revenue of EUR 2.99 billion, VKR Holding had total revenue of EUR 4.29 billion, and THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS donated EUR 181 million in charitable grants.
For more information about VELUX Group, visit velux.com.