HORSHOLM, Denmark, October 1/PRNewswire/ -- - The International VELUX Award Challenges Students of Architecture Worldwide to Work With Daylight in Architecture Under the Theme "Light of Tomorrow". The International VELUX Award 2008 opens for registration on 1 October and encourages students of architecture worldwide to work with daylight in architecture. - Our vision is to promote daylight, fresh air and quality of life. The Award wants to encourage and challenge students of architecture to explore the theme of sunlight and daylight in its widest sense to create a deeper understanding of this specific and ever-relevant source of light and energy. All student projects will be evaluated by a jury consisting of recognized architects who represent different perspectives on architecture and daylight as well as different geographies, says Project Manager Lone Feifer. The Award contains no specific categories, no requirements to the use of any specific materials or VELUX products. Projects may include everything from building design to the rethinking of daylight in urban living contexts or more abstract concepts. Projects may focus on e.g. aesthetics, functionality, sustainability or the interaction between buildings and the environment. Close cooperation between students and teachers The Award recognizes students of architecture as well as their teachers. Student projects must be backed by a teacher from a school of architecture, and winning students as well as their teachers are awarded as a winning team. The total prize money of the Award is 30,000 Euros. The winners will be announced and celebrated at an Award event scheduled to take place in November 2008 in Europe. Building relationships The Award is an essential element in the VELUX strategy to focus on the qualitative aspects of natural light in buildings and to strengthen the relevance of the company's products. The International VELUX Award takes place every second year and is part of the continuous VELUX effort to establish close relations with building professionals - not least architects and educational institutions. - We seek an open-minded dialogue on the light of tomorrow with experimental approaches and free thinking. In 2006, the Award received 557 projects from 53 countries - which was a doubling of entries compared to 2004. The fact that so many students chose to participate and that the jury awarded 20 winners from 12 different countries underlines the worldwide relevance of the discussion of daylight and architecture, says Project Manager Lone Feifer. The award is organized in cooperation with the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE). Students must register their intention to participate before 8 March 2008 and submit their projects before 8 May 2008. More information and current updates can be found at velux.com/iva.
