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
| Mar 26, 2012
McCarthy tops off Math and Science Building at San Diego Mesa College
Designed by Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker, the new San Diego Mesa College Math and Science Building will provide new educational space for students pursuing degree and certificate programs in biology, chemistry, physical sciences and mathematics.
| Mar 16, 2012
Temporary fix to CityCenter's Harmon would cost $2 million, contractor says
By contrast, CityCenter half-owner and developer MGM Resorts International determined last year that the Harmon would collapse in a strong quake and can't be fixed in an economical way. It favors implosion at a cost of $30 million.
| Mar 14, 2012
Hearing to decide fate of unfinished Harmon in Las Vegas under way
The testimony began with CityCenter consulting engineer Chukwuma Ekwueme methodically showing photo after photo of parts of the Harmon, where he and his team had chipped away the concrete pillars and beams to examine the steel reinforcing bars inside.
| Mar 14, 2012
Plans for San Francisco's tallest building revamped
The glassy white high-rise would be 60 stories and 1,070 feet tall with an entrance at First and Mission streets.
| Mar 13, 2012
China's high-speed building boom
A 30-story hotel in Changsha went up in two weeks. Some question the safety in that, but the builder defends its methods.
| Mar 12, 2012
Improving the performance of existing commercial buildings: the chemistry of sustainable construction
Retrofitting our existing commercial buildings is one of the key steps to overcoming the economic and environmental challenges we face.
| Feb 14, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti names Al Hashimi vice president for its Middle East Operations
Al Hashimi is joining the company to help expand Thornton Tomasetti’s business in the region and support clients locally.
| Feb 8, 2012
World’s tallest solar PV-installation
The solar array is at the elevation of 737 feet, making the building the tallest in the world with a solar PV-installation on its roof.
| Jan 30, 2012
Hollister Construction Services to renovate 30 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, N.J.
Owner Onyx Equities hires firm to oversee comprehensive upgrades of office building.
| Jan 16, 2012
Mid-Continent Tower wins 25 Year Award from AIA Eastern Oklahoma
Designed by Dewberry, iconic tower defines Tulsa’s skyline.
