The story behind the Building Component Award

By honouring ingenuity in the details, we seek to inspire continued innovation – as a necessary driving force in the sustainable transition of the construction industry.

The Building Component Award carries on the legacy of the founder of VELUX FOUNDATION and Villum Foundation, Villum Kann Rasmussen – the inventor and entrepreneur whose work demonstrated how technical insight and curiosity in combination with industrial solutions can create value in the built environment.

The VELUX skylight is Villum Kann Rasmussen’s most renowned building component, but he also developed the idea behind facade windows like VELFAC and other products. 

Based on his tenacious and innovative work with building components, Villum Kann Rasmussen laid the foundations for a solid business. The profits from the corporate group behind these components are what allow VELUX FOUNDATION and Villum Foundation to give back to society today.  

In acknowledgement of Villum Kann Rasmussen’s work, through the Building Component Award, the two foundations seek to honour those who have made a special effort in the development and implementation of building components.

Civil engineer Villum Kann Rasmussen, founder of VELUX A/S and other companies within the VKR Group
When building components show attention to detail and are well thought out and executed, they contribute to the overall experience of quality. We therefore seek, through the Building Component Award, to honour passionate individuals who think innovatively in construction.
Former jury member Anne Beim, Professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts’ Schools for Architecture, Design and Conservatio