The POLITE Project in Pregassona, Lugano (Canton of Ticino, Switzerland) embodies this belief through a refined integration of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), social purpose, and architectural excellence. This pioneering multi-functional center demonstrates how solar façades can elevate urban environments while delivering measurable energy performance and long-term societal value.
A Multi-Functional Social Infrastructure Designed for Care and Community
The POLITE Project is a multi-functional civic and healthcare complex designed to support diverse yet interconnected social services under one architectural vision. The building hosts:
- A medical residence for elderly people (114 beds)
- A specialized day-care center for dementia patients
- The headquarters of the Municipal Social Welfare Service (SAS)
- A kindergarten serving the local community
This convergence of functions demanded an architectural response that balances sensitivity, durability, and energy autonomy. The project succeeds by transforming the building envelope into an active energy-producing façade, ensuring that sustainability is not an add-on, but an intrinsic architectural element.
Architectural Vision Rooted in Swiss Precision and Human Dignity
Designed by Studio Mario Campi SA, the POLITE Project reflects a deep understanding of contextual architecture and human-scale design. The building integrates seamlessly into the urban fabric of Pregassona while maintaining a calm, dignified presence suited to healthcare and educational functions.
The architectural language is deliberately restrained. Clean lines, rhythmic façade modulation, and a light grey satin finish create a timeless aesthetic that avoids visual fatigue. The BIPV façade does not dominate—it belongs, reinforcing the idea that solar architecture can be elegant, discreet, and culturally respectful.
One of the Largest BIPV Façades in Ticino
The POLITE Project stands as one of the largest BIPV façade installations in the Canton of Ticino, setting a regional benchmark for scale and integration.
Key technical highlights include:
- Installed Capacity: ~170–220 kWp
- Facade Surface Area: ~1,600–1,675 m²
- Number of Modules: 806 BIPV panels
- Module Type: Glass/glass photovoltaic modules (4+4 mm)
- Finish: Satin, light grey
These custom-designed BIPV modules serve a dual purpose: they function as weather-protective cladding while simultaneously generating clean electricity. The result is a façade that replaces conventional materials without compromising performance, safety, or visual harmony.
Advanced BIPV Technology by Sunage SA
The photovoltaic façade was developed and supplied by Sunage SA, a Ticino-based leader in customizable BIPV solutions. Sunage’s expertise enabled the precise calibration of module dimensions, transparency, color, and finish to align with architectural intent and regulatory constraints.
The glass/glass construction ensures:
- High mechanical resistance
- Long-term durability and fire safety
- Enhanced acoustic and thermal performance
- Uniform aesthetic quality across large surfaces
The satin light grey finish was specifically chosen to minimize glare, enhance visual comfort for residents, and maintain façade consistency across varying daylight conditions.
Research-Driven Innovation with SUPSI (VersoEST Project)
A defining strength of the POLITE Project lies in its integration of academic research and real-world application. The project was supported by SUPSI – University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, within the framework of the VersoEST research initiative.
This collaboration enabled:
- Performance monitoring of vertical BIPV systems
- Analysis of east-oriented solar façades
- Data-driven optimization of energy yield
- Knowledge transfer between academia, industry, and public stakeholders
By combining applied research with architectural execution, the POLITE Project contributes to the broader evolution of evidence-based solar architecture in Switzerland and beyond.
Energy Performance and Urban Sustainability
Unlike rooftop photovoltaics, vertical BIPV façades play a strategic role in dense urban contexts where roof space is limited or reserved for other functions. At POLITE, the façade-oriented system ensures distributed energy generation across elevations, improving resilience and seasonal performance.
The system delivers:
- On-site renewable electricity production
- Reduced operational carbon footprint
- Lower long-term energy costs for public services
- Enhanced building envelope efficiency
By integrating energy generation into the façade, the building becomes an active participant in the local energy ecosystem, aligning with Swiss and European decarbonization goals.
A Replicable Model for Public and Healthcare Buildings
The POLITE Project establishes a replicable model for municipalities, healthcare providers, and urban planners seeking to combine social infrastructure with renewable energy integration.
Its success proves that:
- BIPV is viable at large scale
- Architectural quality and photovoltaics are not mutually exclusive
- Public buildings can lead by example in energy transition
- Local innovation ecosystems strengthen project outcomes
For cities aiming to meet climate targets without sacrificing architectural identity, POLITE offers a clear and compelling roadmap.
At Soular Innovations, we view the POLITE Project as a powerful illustration of what becomes possible when design excellence, solar technology, and social responsibility converge. This project reinforces our conviction that the future of solar lies in architecture itself, not as an accessory, but as a defining material.
The POLITE Project is not just a building—it is proof that façades can heal, educate, power, and inspire simultaneously. It stands as a reference point for next-generation BIPV architecture in Europe, and a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, research, and purposeful design.
