Media power with a difference

Combining organic photovoltaics and LEDs, the Novartis Pavillon façade – designed by iart – illustrates the potential of organic photovoltaics in architecture

The solar modules contain less grey energy than

Designed by iart

From the designers:

Created by iart in collaboration with AMDL CIRCLE and Michele De Lucchi, the Novartis Pavillon zero-energy media façade in Basel features a total of 10,000 diamond-shaped solar modules.

Embedded within these are LEDs which not only shine outwards, but also in the direction of the metal shell beneath.

The light reflects off the shell, and shimmers outwards through the semi-transparent solar modules, resulting in a visually multi-layered membrane with the ability to display content.

The Novartis Pavillon boasts a zero-energy media façade.

Consuming only as much electrical energy as it is capable of producing, the membrane becomes a zero-energy media façade – all made possible by the carbon-based organic solar modules, which were custom-made for the pavillon.

Their design and physical properties make these organic solar modules ideal for use on the dome-shaped Novartis Pavillon, as they can be produced in various shapes, are bendable, translucent, and extremely light-sensitive – which means they can also be installed in spots not ideally oriented towards the sun.

They also contain less grey energy than silicon solar modules, making them interesting from a sustainability perspective.

The photovoltaics can also be installed in spots

The arrangement of the solar modules on the dome-shaped Novartis Pavillon enables the measurement of the electricity produced in all directions.

Data collected during the first few months of operation shows that the façade produces enough power to display text in the daytime – when the exhibition is open – and digital art animations for up to two hours after sunset.

An extensive analysis will be possible in a few months when sufficient data is available.