Gorgeous Solar Powered Auditorium Unveiled in Italy

Italian architect <a href="http://www.marcoacerbis.com/" target="_blank">Marco Acerbis</a> recently unveiled his latest architectural project at the 12th Annual <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2009/08/06/mercuryhouseone-mobile-solar-powered-lounge/" target="_blank">Venice Biennale of Architecture</a>, which kicked off at the end of August. POLINS is a multi-functional business building designed for the Portogruaro Council and Portogruaro Campus, and the structure hosts an incredible auditorium and meeting space. The gorgeous building has been partially built into the side of a hill and features <a href="../green-materials/" target="_blank">sustainable materials</a> and a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/10/05/obama-to-install-solar-panels-on-the-white-house-this-spring/" target="_blank">solar panel</a> covered roof that both generates power and provides shade for the building.

The new Polo per l’Innovazione Strategica, or POLINS, is part of the new Eastgate Park, the largest logistic and industrial masterplan in the North East of Italy. The project covers an area of 1.8 million square meters.

POLINS is a multi-use building that serves as meeting and conference space. The building was constructed to meet the objective of developing new business strategies by merging the university world, the business consulting world and the entrepreneurial world.

POLINS is a certified CasaClima Class A+ building and is made of environmentally sustainable materials, using only renewable energy from solar panels and geothermal power.

Five fir laminated beams form the main structure of the building and an arc anchored on both sides of the building.

Solar panels sit on the south side of the arches to create a shaded patio able to keep the building cool in the summer.

In the winter the sun sneaks through the louvered solar panels to heat up the front of the building.

The south face of the building uses its solar passive design to its advantage, taking in heat during the winter and reflecting it during the summer.

The building is partially submerged underground to help maintain a even climate - staying cool in the summer and protecting it from cold temperatures in the winter.

The arches and covered space form a dynamic entrance to the multipurpose conference building.

Inside the building are a number of offices and a large auditorium/conference hall.

The auditorium and conference space is designed for enhanced acoustic performance and uses silver anodized aluminum honey comb panels with of 2mm holes to capture the sound.

Skylights in the roof pour natural daylight into the auditorium space.

POLINS is a building designed to inspire and lead the way to more sustainable architecture on one of the largest industrial estates in Italy.