The MVRDV studio presented the project of a self-sufficient energy building called sun rock. The facility will be built in Changhua coastal industrial park in Taiwan, near Taichung city. The facility will become the headquarters of the state-owned energy company Taipower, as part of the planned strategy of Taiwan’s transition to green energy.
Interesting building design
Designed by a Dutch architectural studio, the building will be distinguished by its rounded shape. The form of the building is designed to maximize the amount of sunlight obtained by photovoltaic panels placed on the facade. From the south side, the object will be characterized by a gently sloping surface, which will be directed at the sun during the day. On the opposite side, the building will be crowned with a dome, the form of which will increase the amount of sunlight received in the morning and evening.
The facility will serve as a place for the maintenance and storage of equipment for the production of sustainable energy. Sun rock will also feature office space and a top-floor gallery for visitors. In a spacious atrium called the data room, real-time data on the solar energy produced will be displayed.
Facade with solar panels
The facade of the sun rock building will be made as a series of elements supporting solar panels. According to the current plans of the designers, the photovoltaics present on the facade will cover a total of 4000 m2 of area and will be able to generate almost one million kilowatt-hours of energy per year. The architects estimate that this figure is equivalent to the energy generated by the consumption of 85 tons of oil. Thus, it turns out that the sun rock building will be fully self-sufficient, and any excess energy will be directed to the power grid. The architects are still working on the project as they aim to achieve an energy generation level of 1.7 million kilowatt-hours per year. Other MVRDV projects, such as the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum and the facade of the Bulgari flagship store in Shanghai, are worth a look.
