This is where historic preservation meets the energy transition—first in our office, then in your projects. 💡🏛️
We put theory directly into practice, test, learn, and apply what we’ve learned to future projects. On the street-facing facade (4th and 5th floors) of our headquarters in Vienna’s 6th district, we implemented our PV solution as a curtain-type rear-ventilated facade – visible, but compatible with monument preservation.
This is how we solved it
• Semi-transparent, monocrystalline PV composite glass (“Solitek”) was inserted into the rails of the existing shading system – flush between the historic post-and-beam facade and the sun protection.
• Due to the small distance, the system appears to be part of the glass facade; access and maintenance are via the existing external walkway.
• Approval with conditions by the Federal Monuments Office – substance and appearance are preserved, details were planned and implemented with precision in accordance with monument preservation guidelines.
Impact in numbers
• 13.05 kWp generator output
• 795.78 kWh/kWp specific annual yield (forecast)
• Expected CO₂ savings 3,946 kg/year
• An update on the savings potential of our PV system will follow. 🔌☀️
Why it matters:
Facade PV in historic preservation shows that with thorough planning, integration into the existing structure, and clean operation, climate goals and cultural value can be combined.
Your perspective?
What levers have you found to be decisive in existing building and historic preservation projects—detailed planning/integration or operation/monitoring & load management?