Light Leaf ILuva Eliqondisa Ukukhanya Kwemini by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award in Izingxenye Zokwakha Competition Category.
IbhulonziIzingxenye Zokwakha· 2026
Light Leaf ILuva Eliqondisa Ukukhanya Kwemini
by Leijing Zhou
Client: Zhejiang University
Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award Winner in Izingxenye Zokwakha Category
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- Verified Award Winner
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The Design
About Light Leaf ILuva Eliqondisa Ukukhanya Kwemini
I-LightLeaf iwuhlelo lwe-louver oluqondisa kabusha ukukhanya kwemini olwenzelwe amakhaya anokukhanya kwemvelo okulinganiselwe. Izingcezu zamablindi ezivamile zithathelwa indawo amabhleyidi aqondisa ukukhanya alungiseka, athatha ukukhanya kwemini okuzungezile bese ekubuyisela ekujuleni kwegumbi. Amabhleyidi ahlanganisa indawo ephezulu ebuyisela ukukhanya kakhulu kanye nendawo engezansi esabalalisa ukukhanya ukuze kulawuleke ukukhanya okuhlabayo emehlweni. Uhlaka lwe-aluminium olulula olunama-hinji ajikayo nezikhiya zezikhundla luvumela ukuthi le yunithi iphushelwe ngaphandle uma kudingeka ukukhanya kwemini okwengeziwe. Lolu hlelo lusekela ukwakhiwa ngezingxenye ezihlukene kanye nokufakwa okungalimazi ezinhlakeni zamafasitela esezikhona.
The Recognition
About the Umklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award
Light Leaf ILuva Eliqondisa Ukukhanya Kwemini iwinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo ephawulekayo eyehlukaniswa ukudala, ubuhlakani nobukhali bengqondo. Abawinile beBhulonzi yimisebenzi enobuchule obukhulu nedala ngokumangalisayo eqinisekisa isipiliyoni esibanzi, umcabango nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Light Leaf ILuva Eliqondisa Ukukhanya Kwemini ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo, enobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Webhulonzi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu ebuciko, esayensi, ekuklameni nasebuchwepheshe futhi uhamba phambili ngenxa yokunaka kwawo imininingwane. Light Leaf ILuva Eliqondisa Ukukhanya Kwemini iyanelisa izidingo ngokumangalisayo, ithinta izifiso, iheha imizwa futhi ikhanga ukufuna ukwazi.
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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