VELUX Light of Tomorrow 2026 Winners Announced
The 12th VELUX Light of Tomorrow competition has revealed its 2026 winners, chosen from 539 submissions representing 345 educational institutions. Eight projects received accolades, including five regional champions: Woven Light from Lund University in Sweden, Filtered Light from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Ukraine, The Light as Memory from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Sun the Quilt from Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology in China, and Woven Time from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya. Additionally, three special category awards were given: Reclaiming the Tropical Plaza from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, Folding Light from Tsinghua University in China, and Evaporative Cooling Celosia from the Royal Danish Academy in Denmark. The winners will be honored at the UIA World Congress in Barcelona on June 29, 2026.
Key facts
- 12th edition of VELUX Light of Tomorrow competition in 2026
- 539 projects from 345 architecture schools worldwide
- Eight projects awarded: five regional and three special category prizes
- Regional winners include Lund University, National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture Ukraine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
- Special category winners: Chulalongkorn University, Tsinghua University, Royal Danish Academy
- International jury: James Carpenter, Liene Jākobsone, Níall McLaughlin, Oya Atalay Franck, Elena Arregui Jaeger, Doris Wälchli
- Presentation at UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona on June 29, 2026
- Award ceremony at Three Chimneys, overall winner to be announced
Entities
Artists
- James Carpenter
- Liene Jākobsone
- Níall McLaughlin
- Oya Atalay Franck
- Elena Arregui Jaeger
- Doris Wälchli
- Tadao Ando
- Alvar Aalto
Institutions
- VELUX
- Lund University
- National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
- Chulalongkorn University
- Tsinghua University
- Royal Danish Academy
- UIA World Congress of Architects
- Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB)
- Three Chimneys
Locations
- Sweden
- Ukraine
- Chile
- China
- Kenya
- Thailand
- Denmark
- United States
- Latvia
- Ireland
- Switzerland
- Spain
- Barcelona