Iotti + Pavarani’s Self-Sufficient Domus Technica Center Wins Renzo Piano Award

The <a href="http://www.rpbw.com/" target="_blank">Renzo Piano Foundation</a> recently honored <a href="http://www.iotti-pavarani.com/" target="_blank">Iotti + Pavarini Architetti</a> with an award reserved for exemplary Italian architects under the age of 40. The Reggio, Emilia-based firm beat out a total of 70 applicants for their Domus Technica <a href="http://inhabitat.com/dazzling-double-skinned-wexford-council-headquarters-modernize-irelands-civic-buildings/" target="_blank">complex</a>, which not only employs renewable energy, but is devoted to education about <a href="http://inhabitat.com/slides-perforated-skin-slides-in-and-out-to-control-solar-gain/" target="_blank">solar power</a>, new technologies and photovoltaic systems. The impressive complex was chosen by Renzo Piano himself - read on for a closer look!

Completed in 2010, the research facility is dedicated towards the advancement of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/study-discovers-that-solar-panels-have-a-cooling-effect-on-buildings/" target="_blank">new technologies</a>. Each area of the complex includes both teaching rooms and show rooms, joined together in a laboratory type setting.

A central energy storage showroom connects visitors to the rooms, which highlight power, new technologies, solar energy, and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mit-unveils-solar-power-system-that-doesnt-need-sunlight/" target="_blank">photovoltaic systems</a>.

The showrooms are connected to a main lobby, and they all sit on the ground floor of the complex.

Part of the<a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-saguaro-building-at-mesa-community-college-is-a-living-laboratory/" target="_blank"> complex</a> boasts a mulit-level wing, which opens onto a terrace that soaks up the sun’s rays with photovoltaic panels.

The exterior of the Domus Technica is covered in a Uglass finish. This surface slightly changes color and luminosity based on the time of day and the weather conditions. At night, the building glows thanks to a lighting system powered by stored energy that is collected by the photovoltaic panels during the day.

Iotti + Pavarini designed Domus Technica to be entirely self-sufficient. A “Class A” building, it employs various energy efficiency measures and renewable energy strategies, including the use of solar power, to heat, cool and light the building. Iotti + Pavarini have their finger on the pulse of modern sustainable <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-museum-of-civilizations-expected-to-proceed-in-st-paul-france/" target="_blank">design</a>, and they are collecting the credentials to prove it.