“Light. Space. Human” - this triad has defined the VELUX Architecture Competition for many years. The motto highlights what should be common knowledge amongst architects and interior designers: daylight is crucial to the atmosphere of spaces and the well-being of people. In the coming months, the competition will be relaunched - for the first time across four countries. All new builds, extensions and refurbishments completed since 2023 in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and the UK are eligible to enter. The sole criterion is that the daylight concept must have been implemented using, amongst other things, VELUX lighting solutions. However, what matters is not the number of products installed, but the interplay of light, materials and surfaces within the space. This quality is evident in the winning projects from the last two architecture competitions: the museum in Bezau by Innauer Matt Architects and Francisco Pierazzi's Casa Bassa in Guildford.
Entries for the VELUX Architecture Competition can still be submitted until the end of February 2027. After that, two international juries will select the winning projects for the German-speaking region and for the UK. The juries will include the winners of the last competition, architects from the participating countries, and editors from the British RIBA Journal and Detail. The prize money amounts to 12 000 euros for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and 10 000 British pounds for the UK. Velux and Detail look forward to seeing your daylight concepts!
Daylight shapes spaces far beyond their mere function. The assessment considers four key aspects that shed light on the impact, quality and adaptability of light in interaction with architecture and its use.
Chris Foges is contributing editor at RIBAJ, and was formerly editor of Architecture Today. He writes on architecture and the built environment for publications including Architectural Record, the Telegraph and Deutsche Bauzeitung, and his recent books include The City Works and Making Architecture: The Work of John McAslan + Partners.
Nick HayhurstCo-founder of Hayhurst and Co.
Nick Hayhurst is co-founder of Hayhurst and Co., whose work includes the top-lit Garden House, a RIBA House of the Year finalist, the Grain House – a Manser Medal finalist – and the Green House, constructed around a light-filled atrium and winner of RIBA’s House of the Year in 2023.
Claudia LynchDirector of Lynch Architects
Claudia Lynch is a director of Lynch Architects, whose residential projects include Jankes Barn, shortlisted for RIBA House of the Year 2025, and whose recent public buildings include Westminster Coroner’s Court and the n2 office building on Victoria Street, London.
Jakob SchoofDETAIL
Jakob Schoof graduated with a degree in architecture from the University of Karlsruhe in 2000 and joined Detail in 2009. For the last 20 years, the current Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Detail has been involved in the communication of architecture.
Mary Ann SteaneAssociate Professor at the University of Cambridge
Mary Ann Steane is an architect, academic and writer. She has been Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge, where her research interests included the use of natural light in architecture and its effect on perception of the visual environment – the subject of her 2011 book, The Architecture of Light.
Richard WilliamsVELUX
Richard Williams is Senior Architecture Development Manager at VELUX UK. He works closely with architects and industry professionals to promote healthy, sustainable buildings through better use of daylight and fresh air. A frequent speaker at architectural events, he is actively involved in design initiatives and industry partnerships across the UK.
Dates
Start of the Competition: 1. September 2026 Closing Date for Entries: 28. February 2027 Jury Meeting: March 2027 Awards Ceremony: 21st April 2027 Online documentation: May 2027
The 2025 Award Winners
For the 2025 Awards, judges considered entries in two categories. Light, Space and Atmosphere rewards new or adapted residential projects that incorporate any VELUX sloped or flat roof window. The Heritage Conservation category invited entries for any historic and heritage buildings that use products from new VELUX Heritage conservation roof window range.