Light Leaf Dagesliicht-Ëmleedungs-Lamell by Leijing Zhou

Light Leaf Dagesliicht-Ëmleedungs-Lamell by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Bronze in Baumaterialien a Konstruktiounskomponenten Design Competition Category.

BronzeBaukomponenten· 2026

Light Leaf Dagesliicht-Ëmleedungs-Lamell

by Leijing Zhou

Client: Zhejiang University

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Baukomponenten Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181573

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Light Leaf Dagesliicht-Ëmleedungs-Lamell

LightLeaf ass e Lamellesystem fir d'Ëmleedung vum Dagesliicht, entwéckelt fir Haiser mat begrenztem natierleche Liicht. Konventionell Jalousie-Lamelle ginn duerch verstellbar Liichtleitblieder ersat, déi dat ëmgéngend Dagesliicht opfänken an et méi déif an de Raum reflektéieren. D'Blieder kombinéieren eng héichreflektéierend Uewerfläch mat enger diffuser ënneschter Finitioun, fir Blendung ze kontrolléieren. E liichte Kader aus Aluminium mat Dréischarnéieren a Positiounsverriegelungen erlaabt et, d'Eenheet no baussen ze drécken, wa méi Dagesliicht gebraucht gëtt. De System ënnerstëtzt eng modulär Fabrikatioun an eng net-invasiv Installatioun op bestoende Fënsterrahmen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Light Leaf Dagesliicht-Ëmleedungs-Lamell ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Light Leaf Dagesliicht-Ëmleedungs-Lamell e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Light Leaf Dagesliicht-Ëmleedungs-Lamell erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

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