Intelligent Solar Chalet From Zurich Soft Robotics Wins Platinum Award

(CONNECT) The intelligent solar chalet from Zurich Soft Robotics has won the platinum prize in the sustainable and environmentally friendly living category at this year's Houzee Awards from Architecture Collection, Zurich Soft Robotics announced in a press release. The Technopark Zurich-based spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich equipped an Alpine chalet with its dynamic, intelligent Solskin solar façade. With the Houzee Awards, Architecture Collection annually honors projects with outstanding achievements in architecture, design and sustainability.

The Solskin solar façade developed by the start-up company founded in 2022 consists of numerous small, thin photovoltaic panels mounted on actuators. These in turn sit on a metal support net and are moved individually by compressed air. This allows the panels to follow the sun and increase the yield of solar power compared to static panels.

At the same time, these panels also function as a dynamic shading system. The software automatically adjusts the adaptive solar facade using artificial intelligence and self-learning algorithms to maximize solar yield, heat reduction and daylight. "This prestigious award underscores our commitment to pioneering sustainable design, integrating renewable energy technologies and creating high-performance living spaces that respect both nature and innovation," writes Zurich Soft Robotics. ce/hs