Solar Tower - Melbourne
Client: Confidential
Size:15,000m2
Location:Melbourne – VIC, AU
Status:Concept
Solar Tower is a concept commercial tower designed by Melbourne architect Thextonsmith to influence the Australian tower vernacular toward a more considered and sustainable future.
On a north facing site, opposite a large public park, the site receives no overshadowing and lots of daylight, making it ideal for harnessing solar energy.
Given the building’s intended use as a commercial premises, the bulk of its usage is during weekdays. The primary idea was to develop a façade that would serve a dual purpose – provide a canvas for green or low carbon energy, whilst also being visually striking and bespoke.
The result was a serrated or saw-tooth façade, with photovoltaic glass to the upper portions optimally angled to catch the sun, and the lower portions utilising performance glass carefully angled to protect the occupants from the powerful summer sun. This results in approximately 924m2 of photovoltaic glass to the façade, and 241m2 to the north-west facing roof.
Each portion of the solar façade is fed directly into the correlating tenancy, with the roof top solar array used for the communal areas. Not only does the design achieve a comfortable, usable and exceptionally energy efficient workspace for tenants, it contributes positively to the commercial architecture landscape.
If you have a project in the Melbourne region and would like to chat to our Thextonsmith Melbourne Architect team, please contact us.
