Thanks to the Novartis Pavillion in Basel, Switzerland, wind meets solar results in record-breaking power results. The Pavillion is wrapped in over 10,000 diamond-shaped organic solar modules with approximately 30,000 embedded LEDs in an attempt to brighten up the building’s zero-energy mission. A sustainable design meets intellectual genius in the form of this “living organism,” as it has been called by its enthusiastic creators. This self-sustaining media façade is more than a spectacular form of art; it signifies smarter energy architecture.
The Novartis Pavilion wrapped in skin
While the pavilion is a building, the façade acts somewhat like biological skin. This media façade was created by the Italian design studio AMDL Circle alongside Swiss media architecture firm iart. The self-powered digital canvas is something that can take the breath away of all who visit this building, which is a work of art in Basel, Switzerland.
The 10,000 solar cells surrounding the media façade are unlike traditional panels and are considerably lighter. The shape of these cells draws inspiration from the cells and molecules surrounding the building, somewhat like the skin of living organisms.
The building works to harness the sun’s energy during the day. At night, the building projects art, as well as scientific imagery, all created in association with Novartis researchers.
Switzerland is striking up a solar and wind power agenda
While the skin-like solar panels surround the Novartis Pavilion, the entire energy output of the pavilion is increased due to the building’s design, which is meant to harness wind energy too. Steel frames are successfully able to allow for increased air circulation that can promote overall energy efficiency.
The decision to promote wind and solar energy simultaneously has sparked a record-breaking power surge. The project’s engineers stated that its total power generation matches and even surpasses its total energy consumption, which is the real feat. The building is able to produce the energy it needs for the façade’s lighting, as well as overall interactive media systems.
The building can best be described as a building capable of thinking for itself and allowing for visual experience without incurring any power wastage.
Sustainability at the forefront
Despite being an energy-generating powerhouse, the Novartis Pavilion is a place where artistic expression meets scientific storytelling. The nighttime reveals solar panels that have worked all day to harness the sun’s power turn into somewhat of a work of art, all thanks to animated art by artists such as Daniel Canogar and Esther Hunziker. All artworks were curated in association with Novartis scientists. The ultimate focus of the art captures the core premise of innovation and sustainability.
Within the pavilion, the “Wonders of Medicine” installation provides an exciting audiovisual journey of healthcare in all its stages: past, present, and future. All in all, the Novartis Pavillon is a sustainable structure that provides insight into life, a chance to learn, and the opportunity to shed light and tap into the power offered by sunlight. This bright, futuristic design hits wind turbines but in a way, where wind alongside solar power to generate more power than imaginable.
Ensuring an energy-brighter future
10,000 solar modules and record-breaking energy surely can be seen in the form of a bright and futuristic design that comes as a shock to America and will become somewhat of a beacon of hope as more global cities move towards energy-neutral buildings. Being a design that creates energy as well as storytelling, the Novartis Pavilion does offer a peek into all the possibilities when many different design elements intertwine.
The 10,000 solar cells are generators and communicators, all thanks to wind being an accomplice instead of a contender. A greener future is portrayed in an aesthetically pleasing way by one media façade located in Basel, Switzerland.
