VELUX Skylight System Earns 'Best of Best' in Prestigious Global Architecture Awards

FORT MILL, S.C. – January 20, 2026 – In a significant acknowledgment of design and technological innovation, VELUX has received the highest possible honor at the Architecture MasterPrize (AMP) Awards for its recently launched Skylight System. The product was one of only five worldwide to earn the coveted “Best of the Best” designation in the 2025 program, distinguishing it from a field of submissions from over 70 countries.

The Architecture MasterPrize is a globally respected institution, with a jury of renowned architects, designers, and academics evaluating products that push the boundaries of the built environment. Winning in the Hardware, Doors & Windows category, the VELUX Skylight System has been recognized not just for its aesthetic appeal, but for its integrated approach to performance, sustainability, and user-centric smart features.

This elite award validates the company's direction and signals a broader shift in the industry, where building components are no longer passive elements but active participants in creating healthier, more efficient, and more comfortable living spaces.

The Anatomy of an Award-Winner

At the heart of the VELUX Skylight System's recognition is a design that directly addresses long-standing homeowner needs while integrating modern technology. The system’s standout feature is a factory-installed, solar-powered, room-darkening shade. This first-of-its-kind integrated component eliminates the complexity of aftermarket solutions and comes pre-paired with a remote control, offering homeowners immediate and effortless control over the quantity and quality of light entering a room.

The shade itself is a feat of engineering. Its double-pleated construction is not merely for light control; it serves a critical role in the system's overall thermal performance. This addresses one of the primary concerns with traditional skylights: unwanted heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. By providing a substantial thermal barrier, the shade transforms the skylight from a simple window to the sky into a dynamic element of the home’s building envelope.

Furthermore, the venting models of the skylight system enhance indoor environmental quality through passive ventilation. This allows for the circulation of fresh air, reducing reliance on mechanical HVAC systems and helping to exhaust stale, humid air. For added convenience and peace of mind, these venting units come standard with a built-in rain sensor that automatically closes the skylight at the first sign of precipitation, protecting the home's interior without requiring user intervention.

A New Benchmark in Sustainable Design

The “Best of the Best” award highlights the system's significant contributions to energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. In an era of rising energy costs and increased environmental awareness, the performance metrics of the VELUX Skylight System are particularly compelling. When the integrated shade is closed, it provides an improvement of up to 46% in thermal values and reduces solar heat gain by up to 43%.

These figures are more than just marketing claims; they reflect adherence to rigorous industry standards. VELUX products are ENERGY STAR certified and rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), an independent body that provides reliable energy performance ratings for windows and doors. The NFRC’s U-factor (measuring heat loss) and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ratings allow architects and consumers to verify a product's ability to insulate and block solar heat, respectively. The Skylight System's performance is achieved through a combination of its advanced Low-E coated, argon gas-filled glass panes and the insulating properties of the double-pleated shade.

This focus on energy conservation aligns with powerful market trends. The global green building materials market is projected to grow from over $285 billion in 2024 to nearly $460 billion by 2030. Homeowners and builders are actively seeking products that lower utility bills and reduce a building's overall carbon footprint. By intelligently managing daylight and thermal transfer, the VELUX system positions itself as a key component in the construction of energy-efficient and environmentally responsible homes.

Smart Homes Look Up

The integration of smart technology is no longer a niche feature but a core expectation for modern homeowners. With over 40% of U.S. households now owning at least one smart home device, the demand for connected, automated living is reshaping the building products industry. The VELUX Skylight System is engineered to meet this demand head-on.

The included remote control provides simple, out-of-the-box functionality, but the system's potential expands with integration into a broader smart home ecosystem. Using the VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO system, the skylights can operate automatically based on real-time indoor climate data, monitoring temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels to proactively open or close the skylights and shades to maintain a healthy and comfortable environment.

This level of automation represents a paradigm shift. Instead of a homeowner reacting to a stuffy room or harsh glare, the home itself anticipates needs and adjusts accordingly. While competitors also offer high-end smart skylights, VELUX’s emphasis on a complete, pre-configured system simplifies adoption for both renovation projects and new construction, making advanced daylighting technology more accessible. The product becomes less of an isolated fixture and more of a fully integrated node in the home's central nervous system.

Validated by the Architectural Elite

Receiving the “Best of the Best” distinction from the Architecture MasterPrize provides powerful third-party validation from the very professionals who specify such products. The AMP jury is composed of industry leaders who prioritize not only function but also form, elegance, and the successful marriage of the two. This award signifies that the VELUX Skylight System has achieved a level of design excellence that resonates with the global architectural community.

"Winning the 'Best of the Best' designation from the Architecture MasterPrize is an extraordinary honor and a meaningful validation of the innovation, performance, and design leadership that defines the VELUX Skylight System," said Stephan Moyon, president of VELUX America/VELUX Canada, in a statement. "This award reflects the incredible work of our entire team in creating a product that meets the highest expectations of today's architects and homeowners, blending smart technology, energy efficiency and architectural elegance in one integrated system."

This recognition elevates the product beyond a mere building material to a piece of high-performance design hardware. It serves as a trusted signal to architects, builders, and discerning homeowners that the system meets an exceptional standard of quality, influencing future design choices and reinforcing the idea that functional elements like skylights should also be objects of architectural beauty and sophistication. The award solidifies the product's position not just as a market leader, but as an industry benchmark for what a modern skylight can and should be.