Press Release

VELUX puts the emphasis on natural daylight and health at its third international symposium

5 May 2009

The importance of incorporating natural daylight into our buildings is the focus of the 3rd VELUX Daylight Symposium, which is taking place on the 13th and 14th May 2009, at the Van Nelle Design Factory in Rotterdam.

First held in Budapest in 2005 and then Bilbao in 2007, the bi-annual symposium is targeted at a wide-ranging audience, from architects and engineers to legislators, teachers and researchers.

The two-day event aims to initiate a dialogue around the use of daylight in relation to energy efficiency, while taking into consideration its impact on human health and wellbeing. The symposium provides an impressive line-up of international speakers and will include presentations from leading scientists and practitioners from across the world. Speakers will provide an update on scientific progress in their fields, while presenting the experiences and viewpoints of architectural practitioners.

Keynote speakers are James Carpenter (USA), the leading architectural designer and innovator in glass and material technologies, and Wessel de Jonge (NL), the architect in charge of the renovation of several architectural masterpieces of the Dutch Modern Movements. Other key speakers include Paul Kalkhoven (Foster + Partners, UK), Marc Fontoynont (Professor, Director of ENTPE and CIE vice president, F) and Marilyne Andersen (MIT, US).

Kevin Brennan, Head of Sustainability, VELUX Company Ltd, said:

“Around 200 leading daylight professionals from over twenty countries are expected to attend this year’s symposium, representing expertise in research, practice and education.

“The aim of our third symposium is to help set the agenda for a new generation of energy-efficient housing - housing which does not compromise peoples' living comfort but ensures a healthy indoor climate with plenty of fresh air and daylight, while maintaining a high standard of architectural quality.”

Sustainable and energy-efficient buildings

The third daylight symposium will focus specifically on the combined benefits of energy efficiency and good health. As we strive to meet future challenges in relation to energy efficiency worldwide, there has been a renewed interest in the use of natural daylight and how we can incorporate this into future design.

A growing movement towards sustainable buildings has established a hopeful target for buildings to reach energy self-sufficiency in the near future. At the same time, medical and health research is increasingly focusing on light and its effect on human health: in general, buildings using daylight are proving healthier places to live.

For more information about the VELUX Daylight Symposium please visit www.thedaylightsite.com