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How a golden civic building became a quiet icon of clean energy and elegant architectureThe SunStyle solar roof in Arlesheim is more than just a photovoltaic system—it’s a design statement that spans both public and private architecture. In this quiet Swiss town near Basel, SunStyle’s integrated solar tiles are helping shape a new language of sustainability, beauty, and performance. This isn’t just another public building. It’s a design statement and an energy system wrapped into one strikingly angular structure.
And at the center of it all? A roof made entirely of SunStyle solar tiles.
A Building Meant to Be Used—and Admired
Community buildings are rarely known for bold architecture. But Arlesheim chose to raise the bar. Rather than a boxy hall with a few rooftop panels bolted on top, they envisioned a cohesive design. Something modern. Something that belongs to the town.
The design—geometric, timber-clad, and golden in hue—stands out yet feels grounded. But it’s the roof that brings everything together. Covered edge to edge in black, diamond-shaped photovoltaic tiles, it’s both stunning and subtle. No visible panels. No aluminum racking. Just a continuous surface that looks like slate but works like a power plant.
From the street, most passersby don’t realize it’s solar. And that’s the point.
Form Meets Function, Flawlessly
The roof isn’t just good-looking—it’s seriously high-performance.
- Surface area: around 950 m²
- Solar capacity: 134 kWp
- Electricity generated: enough to cover nearly all the building’s daytime needs
- Usage: concerts, town meetings, exhibitions, yoga classes, and more
SunStyle’s integrated approach meant the roof itself became the solar system. Each tile slots seamlessly into the next, shedding water and snow like traditional shingles while silently generating power. It’s solar; you can’t see it—but you feel it.
“We didn’t want to add solar. We wanted the building to be solar.”
— Franziska Müller, head of Arlesheim’s building commission
Built for Generations, Not Just Grid Goals
Installation took less than two weeks, a testament to the efficiency of SunStyle’s system. The tiles are made from tempered safety glass, engineered to withstand Alpine snow loads and gusty winds. Beneath them: a ventilated timber substructure that manages moisture, supports insulation, and keeps the roof breathing.
The result? A robust energy-producing shell that also happens to be… beautiful.
Kids run beneath it on their way to workshops. Artists hang lights from their beams. Locals sip coffee in its sunlit atrium while the roof quietly offsets their carbon footprint.
It’s more than sustainability—it’s architectural storytelling.
The Arlesheim project isn’t about flashy innovation or headline-grabbing net-zero claims. It’s about everyday architecture done right.
- It shows that public buildings can lead by example.
- It proves that integrated solar doesn’t have to scream “tech.”
- And it reminds us that energy solutions can be beautiful, too.
This is not just a community hall. It’s a working piece of the energy transition—quiet, local, and built to last.
“SunStyle gave us a roof that doesn’t just shelter. It contributes.”
— Daniel Lüthi, lead architect
