California Center for Sustainable Energy

Architectural competition incorporates thin-film PV technology

An innovative design for a commercial carport incorporating thin-film photovoltaic panels in a fabric canopy won the inaugural sustainable tensile architecture design competition sponsored by CCSE and SKYShades of Southern California held in December. The winners were three San Diego NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) students – David Mandel, Robbie Bennett and Jason Yang.

The regional contest challenged architecture students to integrate tension fabric shade structures with renewable energy technologies in a variety of exterior environments. Tension structures, also known as tensile structures, are tent-like forms of construction that provide roofing and shade in a variety of aesthetic free-form designs.

In addition to winning the grand prize, the team's model will be showcased at the Energy Resource Center at CCSE. The contest was organized by Diego Villamizar, owner of SKYShades of Southern California, and Ashley Watkins, CCSE program manager for the Energy Resource Center.

Continue reading January's newsletter.