DESIGN NAME: Twisty Photovoltaic Shading System
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Solar Power Generator and Shading System
INSPIRATION: *Pleass Watch Video First*-
Taking the humble roller blind and adding a simple twist to its concept. The appropriately name Twisty will provide a new spin on how fabric can be use to alter energy conservation, geometrical and aesthetical manipulation as well as illumination and ventilation index in any architectural and interior projects.
Inspired by twisty breadsticks, flamenco dancer movement and typhoon that flipped blinds under wind gust in various directions, I started to question why the roller blind has always been straight and not twisted as a product. With this simple action the blind itself can alter light and viewpoint customization and also provide the interior with a new sense of physicality. Utilizing the latest sustainable energy invention call nano-photovoltaic fabric, microscopic solar cells are embedded into strands of the woven fabric thus when the roller blind is in use, it can also absorb solar power to store and supply energy for alternative functionality. All the fabrics are recycled from discarded cloths and scrap off-cuts and coloring are all sourced from natural vegetation dyes.
Twisty does not have to be limited to singular projects but can spread and morph into urban scale where its adaptive character, customizable geometry and coloration can act as solar shading as well as power generation in any open area and building cladding systems. Twisty can add vibrancy to any modern city where the monotonous singularity of glass cladding and grey concrete truly needs a sparkle of fun and color.
A fabric’s unique flexible characteristics initiated the conception of Twisty and by utilizing 2 more functionality to a simple object, one can created a far more useful and interesting architectural product that will enhance any space or area!
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: *Please Watch Video First*-
Made of Solar Power absorbing fabric, each panel can be rotated into a Helix to control viewpoint and ventilation. Since the structure of Helix becomes stronger when more rotation are introduced, the design will become better and better at wind proofing. It will also generate solar energy during sunny or even cloudy days thus saving you precious cash on energy consumption while proactively conserving our environment. Because of its modular composition, it can be adapted to a wide variety of projects. All controllable by WiFi Direct or Bluetooth 5.0 Connection so you can lay back and enjoy Twisty in motion! We envision this system to be a complete solution for sun shading and power generation for any house or public spaces. It is also highly suitable for any hotels or resort and it will be the most sexy and environmental shading system in the world has ever seen!
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: We will implement the latest Wireless (WiFi Direct or Bluetooth 5.0) connection system to Twisty. Each Twisty fabric panel can be operated individually via an App on any computer or cell hone will show the power generation level from the sun during the day. There will of course be a manual back up for the system. The APP can also control interior LED lighting system once connected to Twisty and further electrical appliances might also gain for this power generation.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The Twisty concept won the Sunbrella Future of Shade competition in May 2013. Prototype in collaboration with Sunbrella USA started in July 2013 and was completed for the Miami Art Basel in December 2013. Secondary mechanical prototyping with rotation mechanism initiated in March 2014 with NST srl. Engineering based in Padova Italy and is presently ongoing. Currently we are meeting with several world leading Solar Fabric experts to continue the design and Twisty has already gotten the Hong Kong Productivity Council Innovation Grant of 2014 as well as International Innovation Patent in 2016.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The original Twisty Concept was the Winner of Architizer Sunbrella Future of Shade design competition in 2013 from over 10,000 entries around the world. COC design work with Sunbrella USA to develop a stationery prototype for Art Basel Miami 2013. The fabric was chosen from Sunbrella catalogue that required very specific tensile and elastic character for the twisting motion. They do not have Solar Generation as of that time and were not automated to twist. Currently we are meeting with several world leading Solar Fabric experts to continue the design and Twisty has already gotten the Hong Kong Productivity Council Innovation Grant of 2014 as well as International Innovation Patent in 2016.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Each panel during the Miami Art Basel installation was H 2.6m x W 85cm although the design is customizable. The height has to be a min of 2m for the helix rotation to work properly. The Art Basel Pavilion was approx 45 sqm in area and cost around 70,000 euro
TAGS: SOLAR FABRIC, TWISTY, WIND PROOF, ENVIRONMENTAL, SUN SHADING SYSTEM
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Twisty Bread Stick, Helix Mechanical Engineering Documents, Flexible Solar Panels and Solar Fabric Research, Rotational Motor Research, Wireless Connection Standards, APP Development Research, Fabric Tensile Analysis Software.
CHALLENGE: Finding the right tensile and elastic quality for the fabric as well as it has to be able to generate Solar Power is quite a monumentous task. The wireless control system is also highly complicated and currently we are also working with some engineers on the right kind of motor that can achieve 3 Helix rotation cycle for each blind. The R&D cost for this project will be quite high but we strongly believe this system will become 'the standard for shading' if can come to the market.
ADDED DATE: 2016-09-23 05:49:31
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Kevin Chu
IMAGE CREDITS: Kevin Chu, 2016.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: International Patent no: PCT/IB2016/052970
all copyrights and patent belongs to COC design(Hong Kong)
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