Sun the Quilt Wins 2026 VELUX Light of Tomorrow Global Award
The VELUX Light of Tomorrow 2026 competition has crowned 'Sun the Quilt' as its winner. This innovative design, created by students from Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, transforms traditional quilt drying into an interactive facade solution. This year marked the 12th edition of the competition, which showcased eight finalists during the UIA World Congress of Architects held in Barcelona. The project incorporates a functional window and adaptable frames designed for drying, shading, and ventilation, inspired by traditional techniques from the Yangtze River Delta. Jury members commended its elegance and the substantial impact of its simplicity.
Key facts
- Sun the Quilt won the 2026 VELUX Light of Tomorrow global award.
- The project was developed by students from Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology in China.
- The competition received hundreds of responses from around the world.
- Eight finalist projects were presented at the UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona.
- The design combines a fully openable window, an operational ledge, and nested, extendable, and rotatable frames.
- Research was conducted across the Yangtze River Delta.
- Team leader XU Qicheng commented on the design process.
- Jury member Níall McLaughlin praised the project.
- Tina Christensen, Director of Light of Tomorrow by VELUX, commented on the winning project.
Entities
Artists
- XU Qicheng
- Níall McLaughlin
Institutions
- VELUX Group
- Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology
- UIA World Congress of Architects
Locations
- China
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Yangtze River Delta