Magdalena Muszyńska-Łanowy

Between integration and expression: BIPV façades in Basel – a comparative study

Introduction

Between integration and expression: bipv façades in basel – a comparative study. Explore BIPV façades in Basel, Switzerland, comparing two buildings. Discover how Building-Integrated Photovoltaics serve as energy systems and expressive architectural media, shaping design.

Abstract

The global energy transition necessitates integrating sustainable technologies into the urban environment, positioning Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) as a key element of contemporary façade design. Although the evolution of photovoltaic technologies has broadened architects’ vocabulary, implementing BIPV in European cities remains challenging due to contextual constraints, heritage protection, and the need for public acceptance. This study examines how distinct photovoltaic technologies influence the formal, material, and symbolic dimensions of façade design. A comparative case study was conducted on two public buildings in Basel, Switzerland: the Office for Environment and Energy and the Novartis Pavillon. Primary data were collected from on-site observations and photographic surveys (2025) and complemented by scientific and technical sources. Results show that BIPV façades can function simultaneously as energy systems and distinctly expressive architectural media. Sharing a focus on sustainability and innovation, the analysed cases represent contrasting approaches to BIPV design – one defined by architectural restraint and contextual harmony, the other by an expressive and interactive character. By juxtaposing these approaches, the paper highlights the expanding spectrum of solar architecture – from camouflage to expression, from integration to performativity – demonstrating how technological progress shapes both aesthetic meaning and symbolic communication.

Review

This paper addresses a highly pertinent topic within contemporary architectural discourse: the integration of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) into urban environments, specifically focusing on façade design. In the context of the global energy transition, the study underscores the critical role of BIPV as a sustainable technology, while simultaneously acknowledging the inherent challenges to its implementation in European cities, such as contextual sensitivities, heritage protection, and the imperative for public acceptance. The core objective is to explore how diverse photovoltaic technologies influence the formal, material, and symbolic dimensions of façade design, thereby navigating the tension between functional integration and architectural expression. To achieve its aims, the research employs a comparative case study methodology, examining two distinct public buildings in Basel, Switzerland: the Office for Environment and Energy and the Novartis Pavillon. Primary data were gathered through on-site observations and photographic surveys, supplemented by a thorough review of scientific and technical sources. The findings reveal that BIPV façades are capable of simultaneously functioning as efficient energy systems and as distinctly expressive architectural media. The two selected cases serve as compelling exemplars of contrasting design philosophies: one demonstrating architectural restraint and contextual harmony, and the other characterized by an overtly expressive and interactive nature. This juxtaposition effectively illustrates the broadening spectrum of solar architecture, ranging from subtle camouflage to bold performativity. The paper makes a valuable contribution by not only detailing the technical integration of BIPV but also by critically analyzing its aesthetic meaning and symbolic communication. By highlighting the expanded vocabulary of solar architecture, from simple integration to complex performativity, the study offers significant insights for architects, urban planners, and policymakers grappling with the challenges and opportunities of sustainable urban development. This comparative approach provides a nuanced understanding of how technological progress in photovoltaics is shaping both the visual identity and communicative power of modern buildings, making a strong case for BIPV as a sophisticated architectural element beyond its purely functional role.

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