Polish students have already won awards in the International VELUX Award five times. Registration for the current edition closes on April 14. Why compete in this prestigious competition? What does an award from a world-renowned juror mean for students? This is what the winners of the previous edition - Zuzanna Sazonow and Aleksandra Pytka, students of the Faculty of Architecture at Poznan University of Technology - told us.
Zuzanna Sazonov and Aleksandra Pytka - won the Grand Prix in the International VELUX Award 2022 in the category "Natural light in buildings". The jury was impressed by their project - "TIP - Time Indicate Protection" - a modular shading system that can be used on residential buildings. It protects the interior from overheating, but at the same time allows natural daylight to flow in.
What was winning the IVA 2022 competition for you?
Participation in the IVA 2022 competition was an important event for us, we gained a broader perspective, thanks to the awarded projects we could see what problems are faced by residents in different parts of the globe. We focused primarily on a good presentation of our idea. The level of the other projects was high, so we very much appreciate the fact that the Jury singled out our project from among them.
The works were judged by an international jury. What emotions accompanied you during the presentation of the project?
Presentation of our project at the World Architecture Festival in Lisbon in front of such eminent architects is an incredible honor and a dream come true for us. We were a bit stressed, but the support of the other participants and the competition organizers offset our nervousness. Besides, we were motivated to present the assumptions of our project in the best way possible and emphasize the advantages of this solution. It went well.
The jury was impressed by the potential of your project. What really determines its uniqueness?
First of all, our project really responds to a series of real problems that we have observed in recent years. It is a simple solution to improve the quality of life of the residents of existing blocks of apartments, that is, to protect their apartments from overheating.
Pandemic time has made us realize how much time we spend indoors and how important it is for us to feel comfortable in our homes. In newly designed buildings, we pay special attention to the well-being of the occupants and try to create the best possible living space. However, buildings built decades ago were designed according to different standards and in a completely different reality, so they require changes to ensure that they can continue to provide adequately safe and comfortable conditions.
The added value of our system is that it is based on the existing stock of buildings. In the context of the unraveling climate crisis, it is important to use them and adapt them to changing conditions. We believe that our shading system has the potential to be applied in various places around the world where societies are facing a similar problem
Statement of the winners and valuable advice for students at the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f278mI0jbY
How to enter the competition?
To participate in the competition, students must register no later than April 14, 2024. Registration is free and only requires an email address and phone number. Entries must be submitted by May 30.
Link to register https://iva.awardsplatform.com/
The International VELUX Award competition has been held every two years since 2004, with the goal of encouraging students to pay special attention to the role of natural light in architecture as an important source of lighting, energy, well-being and comfort. Since the first edition, more than 10,000 students from nearly 800 universities from all regions of the world have participated. It is organized in close cooperation with the International Union of Architects (UIA).
For more information about the competition, visit: https://www.daylightandarchitecture.com/iva/
Light of Tommorow
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