Soflex by Felix Eselböck & Flora Sommer
The aim of the project is to provide urban planners and architects with an architectural element that creates shade over public spaces, as well as creating a colourful and varying atmosphere. In addition, it generates energy without the appearance of a solar power plant by using the OPV technology.
Who For urban planners and architects who want to implement solar technology and consciously have an aesthetic demand on the cityscape.
Why Global warming and renewable energy production are currently some of the biggest challenges facing society. We asked ourselves how we as designers and architects will approach these topics in urban spaces without losing sight of our cityscape.
How The cushions are equipped with coloured translucent solar films which create colorful shadows and generate energy during the day. The OPV panels are implemented into an ETFE cushion which is inflated with air to create a three-dimensional shape that gives the whole structure more stability and makes it more robust against high wind and snow loads.
Where The cushions are best applied in public places and in urban areas that get a lot of sun and heat up quickly and, therefore, could use some shade.
