Presentation of the Advanced Active Facades Prototype
AAF Prototype © EPFL / LAST / CSEM
The Ecoparc Forum 2017, held on September 8 at Microcity, the EPFL antenna in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, was the occasion to present the prototype of a new façade constructive system. The prototype is the result of a partnership between the CSEM, the Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies (LAST) of the EPFL and the company H.Glass. It is part of the PV 2050 research project, realized with the support of the Swiss National Fund (SNF) in the framework of the National Research Programs "Energy Turnaround" (NRP 70).
While still dependent on non-renewable primary energy sources (gas, oil and uranium), Switzerland is starting its energy transition. In this changing environment, the production of photovoltaic electricity constitutes an increasing issue for the coming decades. The issues, however, are not only quantitative but also qualitative. Currently, only a small percentage of Building Integrated Photovoltaic systems (BIPV) potential is valued in cities and urban areas. Among the issues to deal with, architectural issues are of paramount importance.
The emergence of new technologies and the inclusion of BIPV from the preliminary design sketches suggest new paradigms for advanced integrated design. Exploring the challenges inherent in this development is at the heart of PV 2050 research project, which focuses on the development of a novel generation of photovoltaic technologies.
The approach that led to the development of the « Advanced Active Façades » system is based on an interdisciplinary approach regarding the façades of the future and the integration of several objectives, in particular facilitating the possibilities of architectural integration, prefabrication of elements, low environmental impact (low carbon façade) and efficiency in photovoltaic technology.