Light Leaf 採光導向百葉簾 by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 建築構件設計 Competition Category.

銅建築構件· 2026

Light Leaf 採光導向百葉簾

by Leijing Zhou

Client: Zhejiang University

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 建築構件 Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Light Leaf 採光導向百葉簾

LightLeaf 係一套採光導向百葉簾系統，專為自然光不足嘅住宅而設。佢用可調校嘅導光葉片取代傳統百葉窗嘅葉片，捕捉環境日光並將光線反射到房間更深處。葉片上表面採用高反射率物料，下表面則有漫射處理，有效控制眩光。輕巧嘅鋁合金框架配備樞軸鉸鏈同定位鎖，當需要更多日光時可以將裝置向外推出。呢個系統支援模組化製造，仲可以喺現有窗框上作非侵入式安裝。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Light Leaf 採光導向百葉簾是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Light Leaf 採光導向百葉簾將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Light Leaf 採光導向百葉簾出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

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