design lab workshop’s solar bytes pavilion reacts to solar exposure
all images courtesy of design lab workshop

 

 

 

the ‘solar bytes pavilion’ by design lab workshop during ingenuity fest in cleveland, ohio is an experimental project that highlights a potential for architecture, where buildings are fabricated using new techniques (3D printing), incorporate smart technologies (light sensors, photovoltaics), and are powered by renewable energy sources (solar power).

 

 


video courtesy of design lab workshop

 

 

 

the pavilion is constructed out of 94 unique modules or ‘bytes’ (digitally designed and fabricated building blocks) that each have an integrated solar powered LED. the units were shaped with translucent plastic, allowing the structure to filter sunlight during the day and create a uniform glow at night. the effect is enhanced by the use of interlocking, snap-fit joints that reduce the visual division between each module and allow the arch to be self-supporting.

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
interlocking, snap-fit joints create a self-supporting structure and reduce the visual division between each module

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
detail view of the integrated solar powered LEDs that are angled to follow the path of the sun

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
each module has an integrated solar powered LED, allowing the pavilion to charge during the day and glow at night

 

 

 

 

the overall form follows the path of the sun, spanning from east to west to maximize solar exposure. each cell acts independently, capturing and storing energy, as well as sensing ambience levels for each individual fixture. this creates a recording of the sun’s exposure over the course of the day that is then reflected at night as the brightness of the LEDs increases. ‘for example, if it is cloudy in the morning and clear in the afternoon, the pavilion’s east side will be illuminated for a shorter period of time than the west side, reflecting those environmental conditions,’ the studio elaborates.

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
during the day, the translucent material allows light to softly filter through the pavilion

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
the pavilion transforms from day to night, reflecting the day’s solar exposure

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
as the surrounding light level falls, the sensors cause the LEDs to light up
photo © frank lanza 

 

 

 

the work was physically realized using 6-axis robot arm in the robotic fabrication lab at in the college of architecture and environmental design at kent state university. a dohle hand welding extruder, the mini CS, was attached to the arm and used as the 3D print head using a FDM style printing process. the pavilion is a follow up to the award-winning project building bytes that was initiated by assistant professor brian peters and was the first series of 3D printed ceramic bricks.

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
The modules were 3D printed with a translucent plastic using a 6-axis robot arm. 

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
the pavilion is constructed out of 94 unique modules that are each numbered for their unique location in the assembly

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
detail of the interlocking, snap-fit joints

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
the overall form is an arch, spanning from east to west, that follows the path of the sun

design lab workshop solar bytes pavilion cleveland ohio designboom
the pavilion is constructed out of 94 unique modules that are each numbered for their unique location in the assembly

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.