About the Award
The Daylight Award honours and supports daylight research and daylight in architecture. It acknowledges and encourages scientific knowledge and practical application of daylight, which interlink disciplines that are usually addressed in separated, monocultural spheres, professional circles or practices.
The Daylight Award strives to raise a holistic understanding of daylight, and increase its positive impact on life.
The 2024 laureates were announced on the UNESCO International Day of Light, 16 May 2024.
The Daylight Award is given in two categories
DAYLIGHT RESEARCH
The Daylight Award for Research is awarded to individuals or smaller groups of scientists who have distinguished themselves as outstanding contributors to internationally recognised daylight research. It acknowledges highly original and influential advances in the areas of natural science, human science or social science, with special emphasis on the effects of daylight on human health, well-being and performance.
DAYLIGHT IN ARCHITECTURE
The Daylight Award for Architecture is awarded to one or more architects or other professionals who have distinguished themselves by realising architecture or creating urban environments that showcase unique use of daylight. Special emphasis will be put on architecture that considers the overall quality of life, its impact on human health, well-being and performance, and its value to society.
The award winner in each category is rewarded with a personal prize of 100.000 €.
The Daylight Award ceremony
The Daylight Award celebrates its laureates biennially on 16 May – the UNESCO International Day of Light. In 2024, at the award ceremony held at Danish Architecture Centre, we honoured the laureates Alberto Campo Baeza, for Daylight in Architecture, and Till Roenneberg, for Daylight Research.
At the 2022 award ceremony, we celebrated the laureates Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects, and Anna Wirz-Justice.
As the closing part of the ceremony program, spoken word poet Sara Rahmeh gave a unique performance as an ode to daylight, to the laureates, to the growing daylight community and the collaboration between architects and researchers – the core story of The Daylight Award.
THE LIGHT OF DAY by Sara Rahmeh
Our biggest design flaw as human beings is that we forget easily and take things for granted.
We get comfortable and forget to appreciate the simple moments, moments that may seem mundane when they are happening, moments that are not eventful enough to be become memories.
Like your first sip of coffee in morning, you know, the quiet sip, before your house awakes, before you check your agenda and read your emails. Right when your body stretches the night away, getting ready for another day.
How many times have you opened your windows, filling your home and heart with daylight, you bring the outside in, letting the rays warm your skin. We do this, countless times I am sure, yet how many of those times do we actually remember.
Today we take a moment. A moment to appreciate and honor the minds that don’t forget. We owe them tonight, where we collectively remember the importance of daylight.
Today, is a celebration of accomplishments that leads to a societal change.
We celebrate the Architects that bring buildings to life, from an idea sparked, to an outline sketched to letting the walls of their creations take its very first breath.
Their work is not just concrete they imagine environments that inspire, creating spaces we can’t help but admire. Let’s be honest, only architects, truly appreciate architects.
Because most of us, only appreciate the result of their hard work. We like places that make us feel good, however they came to be, is not something we ponder but being here today, you start to understand how their work is a genuine wonder.
We celebrate our health by celebrating the dedicated shoulders of our researchers, I am talking late nights and long hours of tirelessly working to understand the light inside us all.
What makes it shine brighter and how it can help us, to stand tall. We eat healthy, we exercise, we read and write, neglecting the fact that what we also need, is time outside.
The impact that daylight has on our wellbeing is infinite, from treating the body to enhancing the state of our minds, so let us salute our researcher’s commitment and their truly remarkable scientific finds.
Hell daylight, can probably also save your marriage. Ask your spouse to leave to house, and let them reflect in daylight. Don’t let them back into the house until they truly seen the light. And that’s the end of that fight. This is why I recommend that you never fight at night. You´re welcome.
Today we celebrate the community of light, from the architects to the researcher, from the Jury to the people in the beginning of their journey.
From the curiosity of the younger generation of great thinkers to the commendable successes of our role models on stage tonight. To every single one of you tuning in online.
The potential today makes the shadows hide; it removes the unnecessary divide.
To foster collaboration, I invite you to listen to your imagination. Allow future partnerships to form.
Everyone here, has what it takes to chase away the dark, and we all dream about leaving behind, a memorable mark.
Daylight is endless in its generosity, and so are the opportunities in this room.
You are all building bridges, supporting the foundation, of a brighter future, brick by brick, thought by thought, day by day, spark by spark, exchanging knowledge with inquisitive hands and open hearts.
Today we celebrate the extraordinary, the above and beyond, we celebrate the joined efforts of two fields, making this award is a celebration of life.
Let us celebrate words spoken, let’s take them with us when we leave, as a memory, as a small token.
How do quotes become quotes? Well, quotes become quotes on nights like this;
– Capturing the beauty of the ordinary – that is architecture. We all work with light within its different manifestations.
– Light is kind of amazing because you learn each time.
– What is the healthy light diet? How much, for who? And when do we need light? And when do we need darkness?
So if anyone ever tells you that scientists and architects are not poets, you can tell them that they are wrong.
Our biggest design flaw as human beings is that we easily forget and take things for granted.
However, the achievements of Yvonne Farrell, Shelley McNamara & Anna Wirz-Justice, makes it easier for us to remember and easier for us to appreciate and endorse.
That the light in them, is by far, a powerful force.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
Did we miss your question? Get in touch:
info@thedaylightaward.com
What is the purpose of The Daylight Award?
The Daylight Award is an international award that honors and supports daylight research and daylight in architecture, for the benefit of human health, well-being and for the environment. The award puts specific emphasis on the interrelation between theory and practice.
Why is it a dual award for researchers and architects?
Given the importance of daylight, it is crucial that the fields of research and architecture exchange knowledge and work together. The fields must combine theory and practice in order to maximize the benefit of daylight for humans and The Daylight Award is a step in this direction.
Why make the prize specifically dedicated to daylight?
Daylight is a free resource, readily available to all. It is a condition for life on Earth, from photo synthesis to the simple pleasure of life, or impact on the spread of bacteria and vira. It is in physics. In science. In architecture. To take advantage of its potential and prosper in its presence, we must inspire current and future research about the importance of daylight, and we must encourage tangible impacts across any and all areas of application.
Who has established the award?
The Daylight Award is presented by the philanthropic foundations, VILLUM FONDEN, VELUX FONDEN and VELUX STIFTUNG, established by Villum Kann Rasmussen. The foundations support a wide range of non-profit purposes, in scientific, social, cultural and environmental projects. VILLUM FONDEN, founded in 1971, supports research in the technical and natural sciences, as well as environmental, social and cultural projects in Denmark and abroad. The foundation awards the Villum Kann Rasmussen Annual Award for Technical and Scientific Research. VELUX FONDEN, founded in 1981, supports scientific, cultural, social and environmental projects that seek to advance an informed, open, inclusive and sustainable society. The foundation’s priority areas are active senior citizens, ophthalmology and gerontology. VELUX STIFTUNG, founded in 1980, is a Swiss charitable foundation supporting science in daylight research – especially daylight & humans, daylight & nature, daylight technology – as well as healthy ageing and ophthalmology. The foundation supports high-quality research causing impact in science and/or society.
How to Nominate
Nominations are accepted, internationally, from peers who have a knowledge of and interest in advancing outstanding daylight research and unique use of daylight in architecture.
Nominations should include the reasoning for how the candidate meets the award criteria. For the category of Daylight in Architecture, please provide a list of a few relevant projects, together with a link to more detailed information including the photographs.
For the category Daylight Research, please list a few relevant research papers by their title, or include a link to the summary of each paper.
Please note that self-nominations will not be accepted.
The Award director actively solicits nominations from past laureates, professional organizations, architects, researchers and other professionals who have an expertise and interest in the field of daylight research and daylight in architecture.
Additionally, the Award director accepts individual nominations from architects, researchers and other professionals for consideration by the jury for The Daylight Award.
Nominations that do not result in the award are automatically carried over to the following year.
If you have missed nominating your candidate previously, you are welcome to send your nomination and it will be considered for The Daylight Award 2026.
Email address: nomination@thedaylightaward.com
Can anyone nominate?
Nominations are accepted, internationally, from peers who have a knowledge of and interest in advancing outstanding daylight research and unique use of daylight in architecture.
The Award director actively solicits nominations from past laureates, professional organizations, architects, researchers and other professionals who have an expertise and interest in the field of daylight research and daylight in architecture.
Additionally, the Award director accepts individual nominations from architects, researchers and other professionals for consideration by the jury for The Daylight Award.
Self-nominations are not accepted.
Nominations that do not result in the award are automatically carried over to the following year.
If you have missed nominating your candidate previously, you are welcome to send your nomination and it will be considered for The Daylight Award 2026.
E-mail: nomination@thedaylightaward.com
What should a nomination include?
Nominations should include the reasoning for how the candidate meets the award criteria. For the category of Daylight in Architecture, please provide a list of a few relevant projects, together with a link to more detailed information including the photographs. For the category Daylight Research, please list a few relevant research papers by their title, or include a link to the summary of each paper. Please note that self-nominations will not be accepted.
What are the key dates?
The laureates were announced on the UNESCO International Day of Light, 16 May 2024. Nominations for 2024 were accepted until 15 September 2023. If you have missed nominating your candidate, you are welcome to send your nomination and it will be considered for The Daylight Award 2026.
Who is the jury?
The independent jury, from six to nine recognized professionals, serve for multiple years to ensure a balance between past and new members. The jury is entrusted with selecting the laureates every second year.
Who were the laureates so far?
Since 1980, the VELUX Foundations and VELUX Stiftung have rewarded the following with daylight awards; Jørn Utzon (DK) (1980), Henning Larsen (DK) (1987), Bob Gysin (CH) (2007), Richard Perez (USA) (2008), Peter Zumthor (CH) (2010), James Carpenter (USA) (2010), Lacaton & Vassal (F) (2011), Gigon & Guyer (CH) (2012) and SANAA (JP) (2014),Steven Holl (USA) (2016), Marilyne Andersen (CH) (2016), Hiroshi Sambuichi (JP) (2018), Greg Ward (USA) (2018), Juha Leiviskä (FI) (2020), Russell Foster (UK) (2020), Henry Plummer (US) (2020), Anna Wirz-Justice (2022), Yvonne Farrell & Shelley McNamara (2022), Alberto Cambo Baeza (2024) and Till Roenneberg (2024).
How can the press get information on the award?
Press may contact Jadrana Curkovic, The Daylight Award Communications, at jadrana@thedaylightaward.com or by calling +385 91 1309 971
Where will the award ceremony be held?
The celebration of 2024 Laurates was held on 16 May 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and livestreamed on this website.
Are there other events hosted by The Daylight Award?
Details about possible public lectures by the laureates will be announced on the website and on our social media channels. The Daylight Award hosts Conversations about Daylight, available to watch online.
What do the laureates receive?
Each of the laureates receives a €100,000 grant, a formal nomination certificate and a glass medallion with inscription.