Lighting (Illumination in Architecture) is a very special magazine focusing on recognising the progression being made in terms of light in properties. They explore homes, commercial architecture, and public buildings too. The publication looks at current and past projects, exploring innovations and inspiration to help keep pushing forwards. The curators of the magazine are architects and designers from all around the world.
Each year the magazine holds their Lighting Design Awards. The shortlists for the 16 categories are currently being announced prior to the presentation evening on 4th May 2017. There are awards for excellent use of light in various settings including the exterior of buildings, hotel and restaurant projects, workplaces, and heritage sites.
Coffey Architects is incredibly proud to have made it on to the shortlist for Daylight Project of the Year. Our work for the Dana Research Centre and Library, Science Museum has been very well received and made the kind of impact we could never have anticipated. We are pleased it has been named as one of the best projects in the world in this category.
The competition for the award is very interesting. There are two more UK based projects; Enterprise Centre, University of East Anglia by BDP and Folded Light, London by Carpenter Lowings. Sacred Heart Cathedral of Kericho Diocese, Kenya by Arup and State Parliament, Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, Germany by designers LichtKunstLicht AG round out the list.
The projects are all very different but each makes use of daylight in different ways and have come up with some innovative solutions to the specific requirements of the project. Folded Light is interesting because it is a 40 metre artwork across ten storeys. Sacred Heart Cathedral of Kericho Diocese is also very impressive for the shape of the building and use of different materials.
Everybody on our team is excited for the awards evening and seeing which project takes the prize. We will also be looking forward to seeing how light is used in so many different examples of domestic, public, commercial architecture.