Atelier Bow-Wow and Climate Scientists Win 2026 Daylight Award
On May 16, 2023, the Daylight Award recognized outstanding contributions to daylight research and architecture during UNESCO's International Day of Light. Japanese architects Momoyo Kaijima and Yoshiharu Tsukamoto were awarded the Daylight in Architecture honor for their innovative work in 'Architectural Behaviorology,' which aims to enhance natural light use in urban settings, exemplified by projects such as GAE House. In the Daylight Research category, a team of marine biologists received accolades for their investigation into light variations and their impact on photosynthetic algae in temperate lakes, crucial information for climate change understanding. The Daylight Academy hosted the event.
Key facts
- The 2026 Daylight Award was announced on UNESCO International Day of Light, May 16.
- Atelier Bow-Wow founders Momoyo Kaijima and Yoshiharu Tsukamoto won the Daylight in Architecture category.
- Their practice, founded in 1992, uses 'Architectural Behaviorology' to integrate daylight in dense urban settings.
- Projects cited include GAE House (Tokyo), Nora House (Sendai), and Rue Rebière (Paris).
- Brittany N. Zepernick, Steven W. Wilhelm, and R. Michael McKay won the Daylight Research award.
- Their research focuses on photosynthetic algae in northern temperate lakes and climate change impacts.
- The Daylight Award is presented by the Daylight Academy (DLA).
- Other 2026 architecture honors include Mies van der Rohe Awards, Jane Drew Prize to Barbara Buser, and Royal Gold Medal to Níall McLaughlin.
Entities
Artists
- Momoyo Kaijima
- Yoshiharu Tsukamoto
- Yoichi Tamai
- Brittany N. Zepernick
- Steven W. Wilhelm
- R. Michael McKay
- Barbara Buser
- Níall McLaughlin
Institutions
- Atelier Bow-Wow
- Daylight Academy (DLA)
- UNESCO
- Fundació Mies van der Rohe
- European Commission
- The Architects' Journal
- The Architectural Review
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Sendai
- Paris
- France
- Kanazawa
- Tottori
- United States
- Canada
- Switzerland