Light Leaf Egun-argia Birbideratzeko Xafla-sistema by Leijing Zhou

Light Leaf Egun-argia Birbideratzeko Xafla-sistema by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award in Eraikin Materialen eta Eraikuntza Osagaien Diseinua Competition Category.

BrontzeEraikin Osagaiak· 2026

Light Leaf Egun-argia Birbideratzeko Xafla-sistema

by Leijing Zhou

Client: Zhejiang University

Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Eraikin Osagaiak Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Light Leaf Egun-argia Birbideratzeko Xafla-sistema

LightLeaf argi natural mugatua duten etxeetarako egun-argia birbideratzeko xafla-sistema bat da. Ohiko pertsianen xaflak argia gidatzeko pala erregulagarriekin ordezkatzen dira, inguruko egun-argia harrapatu eta gelaren barnealde sakonagora islatzen dutenak. Palek islapen handiko goiko gainazala eta itsualdiak kontrolatzeko beheko akabera barreiatzailea konbinatzen dituzte. Aluminiozko egitura arin batek, biratze-gontzekin eta posizio-blokeoekin, unitatea kanporantz bultzatzea ahalbidetzen du egun-argi gehiago behar denean. Sistemak fabrikazio modularra eta lehendik dauden leiho-markoetan instalazio ez-inbaditzailea onartzen ditu.

The Recognition

About the Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award

Light Leaf Egun-argia Birbideratzeko Xafla-sistema Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, sormenak, asmamenak eta zorroztasunak bereizten dituzten diseinu bikainei ematen zaien aitorpen oso prestijiotsua. Brontze-mailako irabazleak trebetasunez beteriko eta nabarmenki sortzaileak diren artefaktuak dira, beren diseinatzaileen esperientzia zabala, irudimena eta ekimena egiaztatzen dutenak. Light Leaf Egun-argia Birbideratzeko Xafla-sistema oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den objektua izatea espero da, nabarmenki profesionala eta berritzailea dena. Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren praktika onenak biltzen ditu eta xehetasunei ematen dien arretagatik bikaina da. Light Leaf Egun-argia Birbideratzeko Xafla-sistema beharrak bikain asetzen dituen, desirak ukitzen dituen, sentimenduak xarmatzen dituen eta jakin-mina erakartzen duen lana da.

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