SOLAR EMBASSY
Location
Alba, ITALY
Program
Restaurant,
wine cellar
University
Hafencity University of Hamburg
Size
750 m2
Typology
Experimental prototype of a zero-emission building
Partners
Giovanni Zampieron Architects,
Francesco Serra Architects
The Solar Embassy project, developed as a research initiative at HafenCity University in Hamburg, presents a prototype for a fully solar-powered building located in the Langhe region of Italy.
The newly designed building houses a restaurant, a conference hall, an exhibition space, and a winery. To optimize solar energy capture, the building’s orientation and roof inclination were carefully calculated. The 485 m² roof is entirely covered with 303 photovoltaic panels, producing approximately 88,700 kWh per year.
A key innovation is the vertical integration of photovoltaic panels on the façades. Thanks to a German patent, custom textures can be printed on the panels, altering their conventional appearance while blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
The building also meets Passivhaus standards, both in terms of energy efficiency and technology, making it a model of sustainable design. The solar energy generated annually—93,770 kWh—exceeds the total building demand of 89,312 kWh, which includes heating, appliances, and electricity, demonstrating the effectiveness of its integrated solar strategy.
Photovoltaic panels
Photovoltaic panels
