Platinum Architecture · 2020
Solar Skywalks Energetic Activation of Footbridges
by Peter Kuczia
- Platinum A' Design Award 2020 in Architecture
- CLIENT: Avancis GmbH
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 1,260,516
- Verification code 82B56D48AD · Verify this award
Colors
About Solar Skywalks Energetic Activation of Footbridges
World's metropolises - like Beijing - have a large number of footbridges traversing busy traffic arteries. They are often unattractive, downgrading the overall urban impression. Designers' idea of cladding the footbridges with aesthetic, power generating PV modules and transforming them into attractive city spots is not only sustainable but creates a sculptural diversity that becomes an eye-catcher in the cityscape. E-car or E-bike charging stations under the footbridges utilize the solar energy directly on site.
About the Platinum A' Design Award
Solar Skywalks Energetic Activation of Footbridges is a Platinum A' Design Award winner, an extremely prestigious recognition granted to truly exceptional, elegant, and magnificent designs. Platinum winners are marvels of creation, testaments to the limits of intellectual creativity, and demonstrate the unmatched professionalism and genius of their designers. These designs are expected to be the most renowned works that define the aesthetics of an era, contribute to the well-being of society, and push the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. Solar Skywalks Energetic Activation of Footbridges exhibits a transcendent level of excellence and unequivocally makes the world a better place with its advantageous and worthwhile characteristics. Solar Skywalks Energetic Activation of Footbridges is a Platinum A' Design Award-winning work that triggers desires, inspires, excites, delights, and sparks great joy.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This sustainable concept has been created for existing footbridges in Beijing but it is just as well to apply for any new structures in any site. With only one rectangular shape of PV panel, over 80 specific designs have been created for different urban areas of the city. The electricity harvested from the sun can be used on site for lighting, elevators or escalators. E-car and e-bike charging stations under the foot bridges utilize the locally generated solar energy directly on site.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- A design of a medium size footbridge with a medium density of panels - like "The Arches" - with its 10 rectangular portals can generate about 18,000 KWh of electricity per year. Since the electricity mix in China is very carbon-intensive, 0.7 kg CO2 per KWh of PV electricity could be saved, a total of 12,600 kg CO2.
If the electricity generated in this example would be used to operate charging stations for electric scooters (in China these are rather slow, small scooters that need about 1 kWh for 100 m), the amount of electricity generated would be sufficient for a total distance of 1,800,000 km! - Tags
- Solar Energy, BIPV, Photovoltaic, Kuczia, Sustainable Architecture
- Production Technology
- The applied thin-film CIGS photovoltaic modules produce electricity under the most unfavorable weather and site conditions. They are lightweight and very resilient. Retrievable, prefabricated mounting systems are aesthetic and easy to assembly
- Inspiration
- World's metropolises have a large number of pedestrian bridges traversing busy traffic arteries. They are often unattractive, downgrading the overall urban impression. Our idea of cladding the pedestrian bridges with aesthetic, power generating photovoltaic modules and transforming them into attractive city spots is not only sustainable , but creates a sculptural diversity that becomes an eye-catcher in the cityscape.
- Project Duration
- The project has been developed in Germany since 2018.
Two mockups built in Shanghai and Munich demonstrate the feasibility of the system, which enables the construction of effective and reliable structures even for different climate zones. - Operation Flow
- The eye-catching structures attract the attention of passers-by and this is to be used to educate about sustainability. The idea of using them as sources of informal education for sustainability is crucial to the project.
The implemented display measures will provide passing persons with information about various aspects of the use of solar energy and thus lead to a better understanding and acceptance of solar solutions. This will be beneficial to society and to the environment. - Image Credits
- Rendering: nomadd+
