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For its new location, solar cell manufacturer ISSOL wanted an accommodation that not only houses its technology, but also visibly embodies it. The result is a compact but high-tech campus consisting of a 1,300-square-meter production hall, two-story offices and a striking curved canopy that acts as an architectural calling card.
The production hall is constructed of efficient portal frames in S235 steel, while the office floors are supported by a hybrid steel-concrete structure. Photovoltaic integration is central across the entire building: there are solar panels on the roof of the hall, but the most eye-catching element is the large, curved canopy.
This canopy forms a spectacular arch under which visitors enter the complex. The roof surface consists of 1,125 glass elements with integrated solar cells that together form some 1,400 m² of active energy generation. The supporting structure consists of curved profiles of hot-dip galvanized steel, a deliberate choice for three reasons:
Freedom of form – The ductility and dimensional stability of hot-dip galvanized steel made it possible to produce the canopy exactly to the desired flowing lines, without additional finishes disturbing the design.
Durable protection – Since the canopy is completely outdoors, robust protection is essential. Hot-dip galvanizing guarantees a low-maintenance service life, even with complex geometries.
Efficient construction – Galvanized steel allowed rapid prefabrication, leading to a short assembly period at relatively low cost.
These integrated PV solutions allow ISSOL to power itself and even charge electric commercial vehicles. The combination of aesthetics, energy performance and sustainability makes the canopy a model of how architecture and technology reinforce each other.
