Light Leaf Kivuli cha Kuelekeza Mwanga wa Mchana by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award in Usanifu wa Vifaa vya Ujenzi na Vipengele vya Ujenzi Competition Category.
ShabaVipengele vya Ujenzi· 2026
Light Leaf Kivuli cha Kuelekeza Mwanga wa Mchana
by Leijing Zhou
Client: Zhejiang University
Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award Winner in Vipengele vya Ujenzi Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #181573The Design
About Light Leaf Kivuli cha Kuelekeza Mwanga wa Mchana
LightLeaf ni mfumo wa vivuli vya kuelekeza mwanga wa mchana kwa ajili ya nyumba zenye mwanga wa asili mdogo. Vipande vya kawaida vya pazia vimebadilishwa na vibapa vinavyoweza kurekebishwa vya kuongoza mwanga ambavyo hunasa mwanga wa mchana wa mazingira na kuuakisi ndani zaidi ya chumba. Vibapa hivyo vinachanganya uso wa juu wenye uakisi wa hali ya juu na umaliziaji wa chini unaosambaza mwanga ili kudhibiti mng'ao mkali. Fremu nyepesi ya alumini yenye bawaba za kuzunguka na vifungo vya nafasi huruhusu kifaa kusukumwa nje wakati mwanga zaidi wa mchana unahitajika. Mfumo huu unawezesha utengenezaji wa moduli na usakinishaji usiohitaji uharibifu kwenye fremu za madirisha zilizopo.
The Recognition
About the Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award
Light Leaf Kivuli cha Kuelekeza Mwanga wa Mchana ni mshindi wa Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award, utambuzi wenye heshima kubwa unaotolewa kwa miundo bora inayotofautishwa kwa ubunifu, ustadi na busara. Washindi wa Shaba ni kazi za ufundi mwingi na bunifu ya kushangaza zinazothibitisha uzoefu mpana, mawazo na ustadi wa wabunifu wao. Light Leaf Kivuli cha Kuelekeza Mwanga wa Mchana inatarajiwa kuwa kitu kinachothaminiwa sana, kupendwa na kuenziwa, ambacho ni cha kitaalamu na bunifu kwa kiasi kikubwa. Muundo huu ulioshinda Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award unajumuisha mbinu bora katika sanaa, sayansi, usanifu na teknolojia, na ni bora kwa umakini wake kwa undani. Light Leaf Kivuli cha Kuelekeza Mwanga wa Mchana hutosheleza mahitaji kwa uzuri, hugusa hamu, huvutia hisia na kuvutia udadisi.
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
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