While many cities around the United States and around the world are beginning to impose rules and regulations for newly constructed buildings in terms of incorporating solar power systems and panels on the roof, a proposed building in Melbourne is taking things a step further. Sol Invictus Tower, a proposed 60-story, 520-unit residential skyscraper would include solar cells in its façade and store the captured energy in Tesla-like batteries, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Compared to putting solar panels on the roof alone, integrating them into the façade would increase the surface area capable of harnessing the sun’s energy by an enormous amount. The ultimate goal is to allow the building to be completely off the grid in terms of electricity; a bit of an ambitious goal, even according to the designers themselves, but one they are pursuing nonetheless.
The high-rise has been designed with a curved exterior meant to capture the sun’s movement from east to west throughout the day. The resulting design is one that is functional, but elegant in terms of aesthetics, as well.
In an effort to get the building to be as self-sufficient as possible in terms of its energy requirements, solar materials are being sourced from China, wind turbines will be fitted on the roof, double-glazed glass will be used, and low-energy LED lighting will be included throughout.
Overall, the façade is expected to include around 3000 sm of solar panels with an additional 300 sm of panels added to the roof. Currently, the design for Sol Invictus Tower would provide more than 50 percent of the tower’s base load power, but technological advances over the next two years, before construction beings, are expected to increase that percentage.
The apartment building will offer a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in addition to public and private amenities such as a childcare center and a medical center.
ICR Property Group is the developer for the project.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Jan 18, 2019
‘Paramount’ will become Nashville’s tallest tower
Goettsch Partners is the project’s architect.
High-rise Construction | Jan 14, 2019
AS+GG-designed tower will be the tallest in China
The tower is at the center of the Shimao Longgang Master Plan.
High-rise Construction | Jan 10, 2019
Indoor-outdoor amenities open leasing value at a San Francisco skyscraper
The amenities that set this 605-foot-tall building apart are its 50,000 sf of outdoor and open spaces that include 14 skydecks and large terraces on its 12th and 28th floors.
High-rise Construction | Dec 13, 2018
Record number of 'supertall' towers were completed in 2018
Citic Tower in Beijing and Vincom Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City are among 18 "supertall" skyscrapers completed this year—a record number, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
High-rise Construction | Aug 27, 2018
The world’s tallest buildings with dampers
The CTBUH created the list as part of a recent study.
High-rise Construction | Aug 8, 2018
Bjarke Ingels Group’s new Shenzhen tower includes a folded building envelope
The new skyscraper is the home of Shenzhen Energy Company.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 7, 2018
Even after redevelopment, the iconic 'Chicago Tribune' sign will remain at 435 N. Michigan Ave.
The newspaper and the building's new owners reached a settlement.
Lighting | Aug 1, 2018
Willis Tower upgrades antenna lighting
The new lights will save Willis Tower more than 70% in antenna-lighting energy costs.
High-rise Construction | Jul 31, 2018
A 350-foot waterfall splashes down from a skyscraper in China
The tower is located in Guiyang’s central business district.
High-rise Construction | Jul 10, 2018
SOM-designed 100 Leadenhall Street will be one of the tallest buildings in the U.K.
The tower will rise in the City of London’s eastern cluster.
