WINNERS Light of Tomorrow by VELUX

Architecture that makes poetry out of the everyday - wins global daylight prize hosted by the VELUX Group

‘Sun the Quilt’ (China) wins the global prize in the Light of Tomorrow by VELUX student competition, following live presentations to an international jury as part of the official programme of the UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona 2026.

The project by students XU Qicheng, LUO Jun, GAO Rui, RUAN Guoqiang, ZHANG Xuanyi & CAI Kunhong from Xi’an University Of Architecture And Technology stood out amongst the eight finalists to win the global award of the 12th edition of the Light of Tomorrow by VELUX competition. Sun the Quilt rethinks the ordinary domestic act of drying textiles, food and household objects within dense urban environments. The project introduces an adaptable façade system that combines daylight modulation, ventilation, shading and drying into a single architectural element.

The finalists all won a spot in Barcelona for a two-day workshop, where they developed and refined their concepts ahead of presenting to the jury. 

“The winning project shows how daylight can be used with clarity and purpose to connect to real-world concerns, achieving meaningful impact through modest means. Supporting the next generation of architects is a priority for VELUX to ensure that future buildings are designed with daylight at their core for healthier, more sustainable living.” – Tina Christensen, Director of Light of Tomorrow by VELUX at the VELUX Group.

The global winner receives a prize of €4,000, with an additional €1,000 awarded to the supervising teacher.

A global stage for emerging talent

An international jury of leading architects—including James Carpenter (US), Liene Jākobsone (LV), Níall McLaughlin (IE), Oya Atalay Franck (CH), Doris Wälchli (CH), and Elena Arregui Jaeger (VELUX, ES) - selected the global winner following live presentations at the UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona on 29 June 2026.

After presenting their projects and engaging in a live dialogue with the jury, each team was evaluated on the strength of concept, design thinking, and innovative use of daylight, and one project was selected as a global winner.

The architects have gone through a problem, gotten to the bottom of that problem, worked it through, and then made it into something that can live and thrive in the world. - says jury member Níall McLaughlin (IE)

The 2026 edition of Light of Tomorrow by VELUX continues a close and long-standing collaboration with the International Union of Architects (UIA).

Explore the winning project here
 

About Light of Tomorrow by VELUX 

Light of Tomorrow by VELUX is an international competition for students of architecture, held every second year since 2004. The 2026 edition is organised in close collaboration with the International Union of Architects (UIA) and is acknowledged by EAAE, ACSA and AIAS.

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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 11,500 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 2025, the VELUX Group had a total revenue of EUR 2.97 billion while VKR Holding had a total revenue of EUR 4.11 billion. The same year, the Villum Foundation and the VELUX FOUNDATION donated a total of EUR 306 million in charitable grants.

For more information about the VELUX Group, visit velux.com