Site Area : 3,962 m2

Building Area : 2,200 m2

Total Area : 3,044 m2

Location : Lisbon, Portugal

[Description]

Global warming is being accelerated by fossil fuels, which devastate ecosystems. To combat this environmental issue, solar energy—harnessed through photovoltaic (PV) technology—can serve as a primary alternative. In the future, PV will not only address environmental concerns but also integrate into the landscape, enhancing our daily lives.

I will now introduce a PV system reminiscent of a bouquet of flowers. This PV system consists of a total of 18 ‘leaf-PVs.’ Each leaf is an array of three standardized PV panels and is attached to a central ring at a 20-degree tilt. Additionally, each leaf can independently rotate by 15 degrees. The leaves open in response to light detected by sensors built into the central ring and close when there is no light. To enable this movement, two motors are attached to the ring and the joint of each leaf.

The leaves are offset by 5 degrees to prevent interference when they fold perpendicularly by 15 degrees. The central ring facilitates the folding into the joint parts and is equipped with a small motor and a sensor. It also houses devices that convert and store energy from the PV panels during the day and LED lights for nighttime illumination. The leaves feature multiple colors due to a special material that reacts to visible light rays at various angles.

The electricity generated by the PV system is transmitted to a pillar via a ‘STRING’ that contains six elastic wires connected to each PV array. The pillar performs several functions: it stores the electricity generated by the PVs and detects light via a sensor at its top. This sensor allows the pillar to adjust its height in three phases, which in turn varies the tension of the STRING, optimizing the angle of the PV arrays to capture more sunlight.

For PV arrays on a commercial building, adjustments are made solely based on light intensity, without three-dimensional changes, as commercial buildings typically do not have parts obstructed by shade from other structures. The energy is stored in conservatories within each pillar. The light that filters through the courtyard creates a play of shadows, providing a unique atmosphere inside the commercial building and serving as a compelling feature to its occupants.

On the second-floor deck, patterns of light and shadow cast on the floor and walls create an engaging environment.

2nd Lisbon Ideas Challenge International Competition

Result : Finalist

Designed by KIM MIN JAE

Collaborator : Cho Yong Woo