The project was led by Gensler, a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm.

FORBES: Award Winning Travel Organizations Share their Global Vision

That was back in January 2010 when, as design and architecture students at Columbia University, LuminAID was merely a school project.

FORBES: Social Enterprise Spotlight: Portable Solar Lighting

Jon Wright, a senior case worker at the 20th Century Society, which aims to "safeguard the heritage of architecture and design in Britain from 1914 onwards", said he was intrigued by the project.

BBC: Hunt begins for most scenic spots