Solar-Powered DomoLab in France is a Candy Cane-Colored Paragon of Sustainability

It's hard to believe, but the solar-powered <a href="http://www.odbc-paris.com/EN-22-project-83-Saint_Gobain_Research_Center_Aubervilliers_France_Aubervilliers">DomoLab in France</a> used to be a dumpy old barn until <a href="http://encoreheureux.org/">Encore Heureux Architectes</a> converted the interior into a candy-cane-colored showcase of <a href="http://www.saint-gobain.fr/en">Saint-Gobain's</a> most cutting edge sustainable materials. The 19th century barn once had zero <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulation">insulation</a> and provided only bare shelter from the elements, but now the research center is completely airtight thanks to a series of passive and material interventions. It's bright and spacious and designed for total adaptability in order to accommodate the company's R&amp;D growth.

Once a dumpy old barn, the DomoLab is now a paragon of sustainability

Previously there was no insulation but now the building is totally airtight

Superior insulation minimizes heat transfer

The candy cane-colored interior is designed to inspire progress and warmth

The three levels have been left fairly open so that the space can be adapted to future projects

The igloo featured here tests lighting

The building is filled with daylighting

It is powered by a freestanding, waterproof photovoltaic system installed on the roof

Many of the barn's original materials were left alone

The building showcases Saint-Gobain's most cutting edge sustainability materials