DAYLIGHT AND ARCHITECTURE
Daylight and Architecture is a global knowledge-sharing initiative that promotes daylight in architecture. Our focus is on exploring the limitless potential of daylight, and the many ways that natural light inspires architects to create and innovate.
Established as a resource for students and professionals, DAYLIGHT AND ARCHITECTURE celebrates the importance of daylighting in a variety of ways: through our Daylight Talks lecture series, through Light of Tomorrow by VELUX: our biennial global award and competition for students of architecture, and through our free online library of articles and interviews related to daylight and design. In everything we do, our goal is to share knowledge, encourage dialogue and collaboration as well as to inspire innovation.
Vision and mission
We believe that daylight is essential in architecture and design. So, in collaboration with our growing network of partners – architectural and educational organisations and universities from around the world – our mission is to curate the best and brightest ideas related to daylighting and share these ideas with the architectural community.
The initiative is presented by the VELUX Group. For more than 80 years, the VELUX Group has created better indoor environments by bringing daylight and fresh air into homes, workplaces and many other types of buildings all over the world. For eight decades, the Velux Group has developed a vast body of research-based expertise and practical knowledge related to the importance of using natural light in designing buildings. DAYLIGHT AND ARCHITECTURE and the Daylight Talks is our way of sharing this knowledge and experience with the global architectural community.
Daylight Talks
The Daylight Talks is a series of free, online video lectures curated by DAYLIGHT AND ARCHITECTURE and organized in partnership with prominent architectural schools around the world.
These insightful talks explore the significance of using natural light in architecture and feature designers and educators actively working with daylighting in their projects and educational programs. Though the focus of these talks is always on the use of natural light in design, each speaker brings a unique perspective to the topic. The goal for this lecture series is to challenge and inspire all architects to consider the role of daylighting in new and innovative ways.
Supported by the VELUX Group, the Daylight Talks have been endorsed by the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE).
Light of Tomorrow by VELUX
Every second year since 2004, the VELUX Group has invited students of architecture to participate in Light of Tomorrow by VELUX, formerly known as the International VELUX Award for students of architecture. Since then, it has grown into what is probably the largest competition for students of architecture working with daylight, the architects who will shape the buildings of our future.
The competition and award seeks to challenge students to explore the role of daylight in architecture and inspire new thinking. The competition and award aims to engage with students of architecture about how to use sunlight and daylight as main sources of energy and light and how to ensure the health and well-being of the people who live and work in buildings.
The competition and award is global and open to any registered student of architecture backed by a teacher from a school of architecture. The total prize money available per winner is 7,000 euros. The jury, comprising internationally renowned architects, will give a prize to five regional winners along with 3 special prizes, and award one global winner.
Since the first edition in 2004, students from more than 80 countries have submitted more than 6,000 projects on the award theme “Light of Tomorrow”.
Light of Tomorrow by VELUX 2026 is arranged in close collaboration with the International Union of Architects (UIA) and acknowledged by the following educational organizations: The European Association for Architectural Education, The American Institute of Architecture Students, the Architectural Research Centers Consortium, and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.
Since 2016, regional winning projects have been presented at key architectural events including: the World Architecture Festival and EAAE Annual conference.
For questions related to Light of Tomorrow by VELUX please write lightoftomorrow@velux.com
—-
About the VELUX Group
VELUX roof windows have been bringing daylight and fresh air into peoples’ homes around the world for more than 80 years, creating better living environments. We offer a range of products including roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products, and roller shutters, as well as installation and smart home solutions. They help create bright, healthy, and energy-efficient places for people who live, work, learn, and play under the roof. We work globally – with sales and manufacturing operations in 37 countries and around 12,000 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company owned by the Villum Foundation and members of the Kann Rasmussen family. In 2024, the VELUX Group had a total revenue of EUR 2.96 billion while VKR Holding had a total revenue of EUR 3.87 billion. The same year, the Villum Foundation and the VELUX FOUNDATION donated a total of EUR 169 million in charitable grants.
For more information about the VELUX Group, visit velux.com.
