Light Leaf Lama orientadora de luz natural by Leijing Zhou

Light Leaf Lama orientadora de luz natural by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronce in Diseño de Materiales de Construcción y Componentes de Edificación Competition Category.

BronceComponentes de Edificación· 2026

Light Leaf Lama orientadora de luz natural

by Leijing Zhou

Client: Zhejiang University

A' Design Award de Bronce Winner in Componentes de Edificación Category

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The Design

About Light Leaf Lama orientadora de luz natural

LightLeaf es un sistema de lamas redireccionadoras de luz natural para viviendas con escasa iluminación natural. Las lamas convencionales de las persianas se sustituyen por álabes guía de luz regulables que captan la luz difusa del día y la reflejan hacia el interior de la estancia. Las hojas combinan una superficie superior de alta reflectancia con un acabado inferior difusor para controlar el deslumbramiento. Un bastidor ligero de aluminio con bisagras pivotantes y bloqueos de posición permite proyectar la unidad hacia el exterior cuando se requiere más luz natural. El sistema admite una fabricación modular y una instalación no invasiva sobre marcos de ventana existentes.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronce

Light Leaf Lama orientadora de luz natural ha ganado el A' Design Award de Bronce, un reconocimiento sumamente prestigioso concedido a diseños sobresalientes que se distinguen por su creatividad, ingenio y astucia. Los ganadores de Bronce son artefactos ampliamente hábiles y sorprendentemente creativos que acreditan la vasta experiencia, imaginación e ingeniosidad de sus diseñadores. Se espera que Light Leaf Lama orientadora de luz natural sea un objeto muy apreciado, admirado y querido, notablemente profesional e innovador. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Bronce incorpora las mejores prácticas del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología, y es excelente por su atención al detalle. Light Leaf Lama orientadora de luz natural satisface espléndidamente las necesidades, toca los deseos, encanta los sentimientos y atrae la curiosidad.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: LightLeaf is a daylight-redirecting louver system for living spaces with insufficient natural light. By replacing conventional blind slats with adjustable light-guiding blades, it captures ambient daylight and redirects it deeper indoors, creating soft, even illumination without daytime electricity. Designed for low-floor, north-facing, or compact residences, LightLeaf improves visual comfort and spatial quality while balancing privacy, safety, and energy efficiency.
Dimensions & Packaging: 900mm x 80mm x 1350mm
Tags: Daylight redirecting system, Light-guiding louvers, Passive daylighting, Energy-efficient housing, Urban living solutions, Non-invasive installation, Sustainable architecture, Indoor environmental quality
Production Technology: LightLeaf integrates a lightweight aluminum frame with pivot hinges, position locks, and adjustable louver assemblies. The dual-surface louvers combine a high-reflectance upper coating with a diffusive lower finish to enable controlled daylight redirection. The system is engineered for modular fabrication and non-invasive installation on existing window frames. Its design development referenced passive daylighting principles, facade engineering strategies, and basic optical reflection modeling to optimize light distribution efficiency and glare control.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was converting a conventional shading device into an effective daylighting system without adding complexity. It required balancing light redirection, glare control, privacy, and structural stability within existing window constraints. Building regulations and wind resistance were key external factors. The solution focused on simplifying the mechanism while maintaining performance and safety.
Research: This project is based on applied design research addressing insufficient daylight in residential spaces. The goal was to redesign a familiar window element to improve indoor light quality without electricity. Field observations of low-floor and north-facing homes were combined with simple daylight behavior studies and visual simulations. Results showed that redirecting light upward reduces glare and increases brightness deeper inside, improving comfort and energy efficiency through minimal structural intervention.
Inspiration: This project was inspired by the widespread issue of underlit living spaces, especially low-floor, north-facing, or obstructed residences. Observations of residents relying on temporary reflective panels and daytime artificial lighting revealed the need for a more effective and integrated solution. Drawing from passive daylighting principles, LightLeaf reimagines conventional blinds as a light-guiding system to improve indoor environmental quality without additional energy use.
Project Duration: The project commenced in October 2025 and was completed in January 2026.
Operation Flow: LightLeaf functions like a regular blind in daily use, allowing users to adjust the slats for shading and privacy. When more daylight is needed, the lock is released and the unit is gently pushed outward. By rotating the blades, incoming light is reflected upward and distributed deeper into the room. This simple transformation redirects natural light more evenly, reducing glare near the window while brightening darker areas indoors.
Team Members: Keyin Chen
Leijing Zhou
Qikai Tang
Yi Zhou
Rui Yao
Menghan Li
Yijun Zhao
Bingjing Fang