THE BAMBOO HOUSE · SHANGAI, CHINA
The Bamboo House, which served as the headquarters for the Madrid pavilion during the 2010 Shanghai Expo, is an award - winning building recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) with the European Award and as the best urban practice of 2010 for its innovative bioclimatic design.
By incorporating Onyx Solar photovoltaic glass, the building significantly reduces energy consumption, achieving up to 60% savings in air conditioning when using crystalline silicon photovoltaic glass, and 36% with amorphous silicon, highlighting the material’s versatility in supporting sustainable building design.
The building features a custom photovoltaic roof skylight with a 20% semi-transparency level, tailored to the project's specific needs. This photovoltaic glass not only generates clean energy but also filters 99% of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and up to 95% of infrared (IR) radiation, allowing natural light to flow in while improving the comfort of the interior spaces.
With a solar factor (g-value) ranging from 5% to 40%, depending on the degree of transparency, the photovoltaic glass is optimized to prevent overheating, minimizing the greenhouse effect within the building. This contributes to enhanced thermal comfort for its occupants while maintaining energy efficiency. The skylight produces approximately 1,400 kWh of energy annually, aligning with the sustainability goals of the project.
Designed by architect Alejandro Zaera, who is also known for projects such as the Yokohama International Port Terminal in Japan, the Bamboo House showcases how Onyx Solar’s innovative photovoltaic glass can seamlessly integrate with bioclimatic architecture.
