While many cities around the United States and around the world are beginning to impose rules and regulations for newly constructed buildings in terms of incorporating solar power systems and panels on the roof, a proposed building in Melbourne is taking things a step further. Sol Invictus Tower, a proposed 60-story, 520-unit residential skyscraper would include solar cells in its façade and store the captured energy in Tesla-like batteries, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Compared to putting solar panels on the roof alone, integrating them into the façade would increase the surface area capable of harnessing the sun’s energy by an enormous amount. The ultimate goal is to allow the building to be completely off the grid in terms of electricity; a bit of an ambitious goal, even according to the designers themselves, but one they are pursuing nonetheless.
The high-rise has been designed with a curved exterior meant to capture the sun’s movement from east to west throughout the day. The resulting design is one that is functional, but elegant in terms of aesthetics, as well.
In an effort to get the building to be as self-sufficient as possible in terms of its energy requirements, solar materials are being sourced from China, wind turbines will be fitted on the roof, double-glazed glass will be used, and low-energy LED lighting will be included throughout.
Overall, the façade is expected to include around 3000 sm of solar panels with an additional 300 sm of panels added to the roof. Currently, the design for Sol Invictus Tower would provide more than 50 percent of the tower’s base load power, but technological advances over the next two years, before construction beings, are expected to increase that percentage.
The apartment building will offer a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in addition to public and private amenities such as a childcare center and a medical center.
ICR Property Group is the developer for the project.
Related Stories
| Sep 23, 2011
$5M pledge renewed for Habitat for Humanity
The five-year commitment, which will run through 2015, includes $5 million of donated interior and exterior locks and keys for homes built with Habitat for Humanity homeowner partners and volunteers.
| Sep 23, 2011
Under 40 Leadership Summit
Building Design+Construction’s Under 40 Leadership Summit takes place October 26-28, 2011 Hotel at the Monteleone in New Orleans. Discounted hotel rate deadline: October 2, 2011.
| Sep 20, 2011
Jeanne Gang wins MacArthur Fellowship
Jeanne Gang, a 2011 MacArthur Fellowship winner described by the foundation as "an architect challenging the aesthetic and technical possibilities of the art form in a wide range of structures."
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| Jul 22, 2011
Five award-winning modular innovations
The Modular Building Institute's 2011 Awards of Distinction highlight fresh ideas in manufactured construction projects.