Winner announced for The Best Use of Natural Light Prize 2025
We want to congratulate the winner of this year’s World Architecture Festival Best Use Of Natural Light Prize: Redhill Early Learning Center by Hubo Studio.
The Best Use of Natural Light Prize, supported by VELUX, celebrates buildings’ positive impact on human well-being, performance and joy through daylight.
Redhill Early Learning Center was selected from a shortlist of nine outstanding projects from around the world after presenting live to a jury at the festival.
About the winning project
Redhill Early Learning Center by Hubo Studio
Designed by Hubo Studio, the Redhill Early Learning Center is a purpose-based educational center shaped by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, which sees children as active contributors to society. The center acts as a “third teacher” with interconnected spaces that foster exploration, collaboration, and creativity.
The design process began its journey with a visit to Reggio Emilia, followed by workshops with teachers, children, and stakeholders. Guided by children’s input, the building was gently embedded into the landscape, offering a nurturing space for lifelong learning.
The architecture centres around an African piazza, a reinterpretation of the traditional Italian town square, designed to foster interaction and community. Under a glass roof, the piazza is wrapped in mosaic carrying motifs drawn by the children, inviting a visual exploration of the 100 languages.
Four multi-level ateliers surround this central space, each housing an amphitheater, light room, art studio, and rooftop garden. These spaces support both structured learning and spontaneous discovery, with age groups interacting across levels.
The building is embraced by a park designed with play specialists and therapists, offering varied movement opportunities from ground-level play to rooftop soccer fields and bike tracks. Every detail, from furniture to layout, is designed from a child’s perspective, creating a welcoming, well-organised environment that supports early development through play, creativity, and community.
Jury comments on the winner
The jury for this years competition consisted of Jean Mah (Principle, Perkins & Will), Fred Pilbrow (Senior Founder Partner, Pilbrow & Partners), and Ambrish Arora (Founding Principle, Studio Lotus).
The jury gave their reasoning behind selecting the winning project:
“Exuberant and joyful, the judges were impressed by Hubo Studio’s Early Learning Centre and it’s conscious modulation of light and shadow to provide student’s a choice of place to inhabit. We felt the architects relished their engagement with students and teachers alike.“
About Hubo Studio
Hubo Studio is an award-winning architecture firm specialised in education and kid centric spaces that create environments that inspire and nurture young minds, fostering creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning.
