Intelligent climate-adaptive building skin for sustainable new buildings and retrofits
Solar power turns sunlight into opportunity, paves the way for a brighter, sustainable future
1 - HiLo, NEST BUILDING
2 - ZERO CARBON BUILDING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
3 - KELLER PROJECT
4 - GREBER PROJECT
5 - SCHENKEL PROJECT
6 - CAMPO PROJECT
7 - SUMMARY
AI-enhanced comfort optimization, improving both thermal and visual comfort for the residents.
Integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems, allowing for on-site electricity production to reduce dependency on external power sources.
Reduced energy consumption, achieving up to an 80% decrease in energy usage, which supports environmental sustainability.
Reduced building carbon footprint, a significant contribution to minimizing the building’s environmental impact.
Architectural elegance, with a design that blends functionality with a visually striking presence.
Modular, customizable, lightweight, and flexible structure, offering adaptability and dynamic building experiences.
Low maintenance and high-quality materials, ensuring longevity and minimal upkeep for the building
• Investor: Empa
• Architect: ROK Architekten
• Project Name: HiLo Unit at Nest
• Project Type: New Construction
• Time plan: In operation since October 2021
• Product Type: ETH - Solskin Prototype
• Integration: Smart Facade
• Modul Type: CIGS thin-film
• Solskin Surface: 9 m
• Number of Modules: 30
• Annual Energy Savings: 1 MWh
• Annual Emission Savigs: 0.2 tCO 2 2
The installation of Solskin on the facade of the HiLo unit marked its first real-world application. The prefabricated Solskin unit was elevated to the facade using a mobile crane and was swiftly installed and commissioned. Moving beyond lab tests, the moving facade system equipped with PV demonstrated its ability to adapt to real-time environmental changes.
The NEST, located on the Empa campus in Dübendorf, Switzerland, is an incubation and demonstration facility for “Next Evolution in Sustainable Building Technologies”. The HiLo unit, short for “High Efficiency - Low Emissions” showcases the future of sustainable architecture and highly energy efficient technologies like the first of its kind climate-adaptive Solskin facade system.
The architecture of HiLo has been inspired by medieval designs but was executed using cutting edge modern computational design methods. HiLo integrates smart building systems, including the Solskin climate-adaptive facade and efficient indoor climate technologies to optimize the energy efficiency of cooling, heating, ventilation and lighting. Since its construction in 2021, the unit serves as a living lab for testing of these energy-efficient, low-emission construction methods, blending high performance with sustainability in real-world conditions.
As the first permanent application of the Solskin system, the HiLo unit has demonstrated its effectiveness in transitioning projects such as Solskin from research to practical use, helping them to gain user acceptance and presenting them to the public. The office space at the HiLo unit features a fully glazed facade equipped with 30 thin-film PV modules, which constantly adjust their position to maximize solar energy output.
• Investor: ZSR supported by NCCR Digital Fabrication & Swiss Climate Foundation
• Architect: ZSR supported by Chair of Architecture and Building Systems
• Project Name: Zero Carbon Building Systems Laboratory at ETH Zurich
• Project Type: New construction
• Time plan: In operation since June 2024
• Product Type: Solskin Comfort
• Integration: Facade
• Modul Type: Monocrystalline (Black)
• Solskin Surface: 25 m
• Number of Modules: 60
• Annual Energy Savings: 1.7 MWh
• Annual Emission Savigs: 0.2 tCO
Solskin’s latest product installation at ETH Zurich’s Zero Carbon Building Systems (ZCBS) Lab highlights its transition from a prototype to a fully industrialized solution, demonstrating its market readiness. It is being used as our test facade, allowing us to evaluate and verify lab results on energy efficiency, performance, and user interaction in real-world conditions. This marks a significant milestone toward the scalable deployment of Solskin on scale.
Created under the guidance of the Professorship of Architecture and Building Systems, the Zero Carbon Building Systems Lab at ETH Zurich serves as a hub for pushing the boundaries of sustainable building technology. The Solskin facade began as a visionary concept within the lab a decade ago and has since evolved into a tangible, high-performing solution that enhances both the energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal of buildings.
• Investor: KELLER Druckmesstechnik AG
• Architect: Strut Architekten
• Project Name: KELLER Diamant
• Project Type: New construction
• Time plan: In Realization
• Product Type: Solskin Comfort
• Integration: Facade
• Modul Type: Monocrystalline (black)
• Solskin Surface: 1300 m
• Number of Modules: 3300
• Annual Energy Savings: 95 MWh
• Annual Emission Savigs: 11 tCO
The KELLER Diamant project represents the largest scale application of Solskin so far, designed to cover 1,300 square meters. The system, currently expected to be commissioned by summer of 2025, mounted on the advanced manufacturing facility of KELLER Druckmesstechnik AG reflects the company’s commitment to technology, innovation, and employee well-being. The KELLER Druckmesstechnik AG is family business with a long track record of innovation which made them a global leader in high-precision pressure transducers
The design for the “Diamant” by Strut Architekten AG seamlessly integrates the Solskin climate-adaptive facade system on the south facade to reduce energy consumption, enhance operational efficiency, and maintain optimal indoor conditions. Particularly the dynamic PV electricity production provided by Solskin was an important aspect for the investors as it provides a share of the large operational energy need of the building.
Section: Closed Panels by Strut Architekten and Zurich Soft Robotics GmbH
Section: Open Panels by Strut Architekten and Zurich Soft Robotics GmbH
Elevation: Closed Panels by Strut Architekten and Zurich Soft Robotics GmbH
Elevation: Open Panels by Strut Architekten and Zurich Soft Robotics GmbH
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• Investor: Greber Family
• Architect: ZSR
• Project Name: Intelligent Alpine Chalet
• Project Type: Refurbishment/ Renovation
• Time Plan: In operation since November 2024
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• Product Type: Solskin Comfort
• Integration: Smart Facade
• Modul Type: Monocrystalline
• Solskin Surface: 28.5 m
• Number of Modules: 89
The project focuses on revitalizing an old alpine chalet to enhance its energy efficiency while preserving the charm of its historical architecture. By renovating the facade, the design harmonizes with the building’s original geometry, allowing for improved exposure to natural light and a more functional layout for solar energy collection. This innovative approach, leveraging the design flexibility of Solskin, does not only ensure the building remains authentic to its alpine roots but also enables it to generate electricity, creating a sustainable living space that blends tradition with modern efficiency.
For the Alpine House, the Solskin modular climate-adaptive solar facade was integrated on the south facade. This approach maximizes natural light exposure within the building while preserving the unique charm of its historical architecture. The integration of Solskin ensures effective solar energy capture without compromising the building’s aesthetic value.
The system is designed to dynamically adjust for optimal energy collection and shading, enhancing indoor comfort and reducing cooling demands. The tailored solution not only modernizes the Alpine House but also respects its design revealing a deep connection between design, Alpine environment with mountainous topographies and local culture, creating a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation and sustainability.
• Investor: Schenkel Family
• Architect: Zurich Soft Robotics GmbH
• Project Name: Building Renovation of Single Family House
• Time Plan: In execution
• Location: Regensdorf
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• Product Type: Solskin Comfort
• Integration: Smart Facade
• Modul Type: Monocrystalline
• Solskin Area: 13.1 m
• Module Number: 42
• Annual Energy Savings: 0.69 MWh
• Annual Emission Savigs: 0.11 tCO
Solskin automatically takes control of the solar heat gains which flow through your building envelope. Experience the next generation building skin, adapting to your needs to create highest quality living and working spaces. Mitigate the negative impacts of climate change with a building envelope that can adapt.Highlight your sustainable commitment with a visible statement.
Where dynamic green cities are in harmony with nature
• Investor: Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte (SKKG) and Terresta
• Architect: Studio Burkhardt / Lucas Michael Architektur
• Project Name: New Building & Refurbishment
• Time Plan: Planning, Design and Realization in 2023-2028
• Location: Winterthur (Oberwinterthur)
• Product Type: Solskin Energy, Solskin Lite
• Integration: Balustrade
• Modul Type: Monocrystalline
• Solskin Surface: 1250 m2
With Solskin, you are not only contributing to the fight against climate change, you are also prepared for its effects.
The Campo area project, located at Eulachpark in Oberwinterthur, is a pioneering development by SKKG and Terresta Immobilienund Verwaltungs AG. Designed as a hub for work, life, and culture, it incorporates a diverse mix of offices, workshops, businesses, and residential spaces, all while serving as a key meeting point for the neighborhood. Sustainability is at the heart of the project, shaping both its environmental goals and architectural design.
A standout feature of the project is the integration of Solskin incorporated onto several facade surfaces of the compact buildings housing the SKKG collection. These facades, combined with roof photovoltaic (PV) systems, enable the buildings to generate solar energy while maintaining their aesthetic appeal. The design harmonizes with the building’s geometry, enhancing energy efficiency without compromising visual integrity.
Solskin: Where Creativity Meets Purpose for People and the Planet
At Zurich Soft Robotics we are dedicated to create innovative new products and solutions based on our patented hybrid hard-soft material robotic actuator in combination with state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence to improve the wellbeing of people and the planet.
+40% increased PV production
20% - 80% energy savings on AC
AI control for user well-being
Flexible design and co-creation