BIPV Media Façade

When designing the Novartis Pavillon, the architectural firm AMDL Circle, in collaboration with the studio for media architectures iart, imagines a media facade to magnify the building with a clear objective: to develop a 100% energy autonomous concept, powered by the sun.

For this project, ASCA conceived and produced more than 10,000 diamond and triangle shaped modules integrated into polycarbonate that follow the curves of the building and integrate perfectly with the structure. The solar mesh powers more than 30,000 LEDs that broadcast content created by artists inspired by science and innovation. Lightweight and flexible, the ASCA^® modules are bent by a cold bending process at the time of installation.

The electrical connection points are designed to be as inconspicuous as possible and are integrated into special systems at the corners of the modules. ASCA^® modules are extremely light-sensitive and produce energy from light coming from all directions, even in low light conditions. This maximizes production over a full day, from sunrise to sunset. The ASCA^® solutions are directly connected to the LEDs through bi-directional inverters specifically developed for the project which allow to use the same electrical network to feed the LEDs form the modules and also to inject the surplus electricity into the building's grid.

The transparency of ASCA's solutions is a real asset for this media facade project and is at the service of the designer's creativity. iart was able to imagine a concept coupling four LEDs to each module on the entire building envelope: two facing the outside and two towards the metal shell of the building. The light is reflected on the latter and flickers outwards through the modules. The play of light comes to life, giving the visual impression of a multi-layered membrane that gives depth to the artistic content being broadcast.