The International VELUX Award 2008 is Open

The International VELUX Award 2008 is Open

October 01, 2007

    -- The International VELUX Award Challenges Students of
Architecture Worldwide to Work With Daylight in Architecture
Under the Theme `Light of Tomorrow'


    HORSHOLM, Denmark, Oct. 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --

    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.

    About The VELUX Group
    
    VELUX creates better living environments with daylight
and fresh air through the roof. Our product programme
contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along
with solutions for flat roofs. In addition, VELUX offers
many types of decoration and sun screening, roller
shutters,installation products, products for remote control
and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs. VELUX,
which has manufacturing companies in 10 countries and sales
companies in more than 40 countries, is one of the strongest
brands in the global building materials sector and its
products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX
Group has around 9,500 employees and is owned by VKR
Holding A/S. VKR Holding A/S is a limited company wholly
owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit
http://www.velux.com


    For further information, please contact:
    
     Lone Ellersgaard
     Corporate Communication Manager
     VELUX A/S
     Horsholm
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]