2024 MAY, ALBERTO CAMPO BAEZA AWARDED THE DAYLIGHT AWARD
On 16 May, International Day of Light, The Daylight Award announces the 2024 laureates: Spanish architect Alberto Campo Baeza for his architectural work and German chronobiology professor Till Roennenberg for his research work.
This year’s jury was composed of Juhani Pallasmaa (chairman), Dorte Mandrup, Iwan Baan, Yvonne De Kort, Russell Foster, Michael Balick and Gerd Folkers.
Among other merits, the jury highlighted that ‘Campo Baeza has brilliant examples of architecture working with light, spaces full of drama and meaning. The uniqueness of his architecture lies in his ability to make us aware of the presence of natural light around us. His works are often gleaming white, both internally and externally; works that appear to be bathed in light. This whiteness makes the viewer aware that natural light is a gift, and of its seminal importance to all forms of life, as well as to human culture. Campo Baeza’s architecture also teaches us about the spiritual and symbolic qualities of light’.
The Daylight Award is presented every two years in two categories: daylight research and daylight in architecture. Previous winners in architecture include Steven Holl (2016), Hiroshi Sambuichi (2018), Juha Leiviskä (2020) and Grafton Architects (2022). Previously, the foundation has awarded best practices in daylighting to, among others, Jørn Utzon (1980) and Peter Zumthor (2010).
Alberto Campo Baeza repeats that awards are always more the result of the generosity of those who give them than of the merits of those who receive them. Or as he likes to say, paraphrasing Alonso Ercilla: ‘Honours consist not in having them but in coming to deserve them’ (Canticle XXXVII, La Araucana by Alonso de Ercilla).
About The Daylight Award
The award was established as an international prize in 2016 to support research on daylight in architecture. It recognises and promotes the scientific knowledge and practical application of daylight. The Daylight Award strives to understand daylight holistically and to enhance its positive impact on life.
The award was established by the philanthropic foundations Villum Fonden, VELUX Fonden and VELUX Stiftung.
The video of the ceremony is available at the following link
