Eco Factor: Sustainable pavilion designed to harness renewable energy for illumination.
Designed by Buchner Bründler Architects, the Swiss Pavilion for Shanghai Expo 2010 will feature woven metal netting with 11,000 independent solar cells, which are attached in random fashion to illuminate a set of LED lights creating an interactive light-play on the façade of the structure.
The rooftop of the pavilion features a chairlift, which is a representation of the rural parts of Switzerland. The semi-transparent curtain on the façade features solar cells which collectively form an electronic circuit, equipped with an LED and sensors that react to light and activity in the neighboring cells.
The energy produced by the solar cells is stored in a capacitor, which is then used to power LEDs. When light falling on one section of the façade increases, the cells light up corresponding to the intensity of light focused and the level of ambient light. When the expo is over, the façade will be recycled and each solar cell will be sold as a souvenir.
Via: DesignBoom
