FACADE

The FASSADE project is developing concepts for the retrofit integration of photovoltaics into existing buildings. The focus is on how the technical requirements for facade PV can be reconciled with architectural design, structural implementation, the characteristics of the existing building stock, and potential energy yield.

The projects are carried out collaboratively by interdisciplinary teams of architecture and mechanical engineering students. The work takes into account different scales.

Technical and design requirements are given equal weight. The goal is not merely to find the most technically feasible or energy-efficient solution, but rather a coherent overall concept in which energy yield, construction, materials, and architectural impact are integrated.

Digital models, 3D printing, and traditional model-making are used to examine the developed solutions from spatial and structural perspectives. In all project modules (1, 2, and 3), physical models are created as a central component of the development process.

The three project modules can be taken together or in any combination of two modules during the winter semester 26/27. Due to the interconnection of the projects’ content, we recommend taking at least two project modules concurrently (credits are cumulative, i.e., 3 credits per module).