Solskin: The adaptive solar skin for future-ready buildings
Credits
Company / Customer
Designer
Year
2026
Location
Zurich (CH)
Disciplines
Product
Category
Energy Solution
Award
Best of Best
Details
Solskin is a climate-adaptive facade system developed at ETH Zurich that combines AI-driven shading with solar-tracking PV technology. It transforms building envelopes into intelligent, energy-producing surfaces that improve comfort, reduce cooling demand, and generate renewable energy. Its modular, elegant design integrates into new and existing buildings, creating resilient, sustainable, and future-ready architecture.
The Jury‘s Statement
Is it all just a facade? Not at all—or rather, yes! Both are correct, because Solskin’s climate-adaptive facade system is far more than just standard shading. AI-controlled and combined with solar-tracking PV modules, it transforms building envelopes into intelligent, energy-generating surfaces. This, in turn, results in improved indoor comfort, reduced cooling requirements, and, of course, generation of renewable energy. So it’s a win-win-win! In addition to the system’s “inner qualities,” it’s equally fascinating to see how the solar panels are integrated into the facade. As a technical element, they go far beyond the role of mere equipment, forming a design feature that plays a decisive role in shaping a building’s character.
