Light Leaf ILuva Yokujikelezisa Ukukhanya Kwemini by Leijing Zhou

Light Leaf ILuva Yokujikelezisa Ukukhanya Kwemini by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweZinto zokuAkha kunye neZinto eziSetyenziswayo ekwAkheni Competition Category.

IbhronziIzinto zokuAkha· 2026

Light Leaf ILuva Yokujikelezisa Ukukhanya Kwemini

by Leijing Zhou

Client: Zhejiang University

Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award Winner in Izinto zokuAkha Category

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The Design

About Light Leaf ILuva Yokujikelezisa Ukukhanya Kwemini

ILightLeaf yinkqubo yeluva ejikelezisa ukukhanya kwemini eyenzelwe amakhaya anokukhanya kwendalo okulinganiselweyo. Iziceko zeblayindi eziqhelekileyo zithatyathelwe indawo ngamacwecwe akhokela ukukhanya alungelelaniswayo, athi abambe ukukhanya kwemini okusingqongileyo aze akubuyisele nzulu ngaphakathi egumbini. La macwecwe adibanisa umphezulu ongasentla obonisa ukukhanya kakhulu kunye nomgangatho ongezantsi osasaza ukukhanya ukulawula ukumenyezela okugqithisileyo. Isakhelo se-aluminium esikhaphukhaphu esinamahinji ajikelezayo neetshixo zendawo sivumela ukuba le yunithi ityhilizelwe ngaphandle xa kufuneka ukukhanya kwemini okungakumbi. Le nkqubo ixhasa ukwenziwa ngamacandelo kunye nofakelo olungenabungozi kwiifreyim zeefestile ezikhoyo.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award

Light Leaf ILuva Yokujikelezisa Ukukhanya Kwemini ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo kakhulu okunikwa imiyilo ephawulekayo eyahlukaniswa kukuyila, ubukrelekrele nobukrelekrele. Abaphumeleleyo beBhronzi ziimveliso ezinobuchule obukhulu nezidala ngokumangalisayo ezingqina amava aphangaleleyo, ukucinga nokwazi ukuzenzela kwabayili bazo. Light Leaf ILuva Yokujikelezisa Ukukhanya Kwemini iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimpahla exatyiswa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo enobungcali obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award ubandakanya iindlela ezilungileyo kakhulu kubugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha kwaye ugqwesile ngenxa yokunikela ingqalelo kwiinkcukacha. Light Leaf ILuva Yokujikelezisa Ukukhanya Kwemini iyanelisa iimfuno ngokumangalisayo, ichukumisa iinqwenelo, ikhwebela iimvakalelo kwaye itsala umdla.

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