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Pvilion, Brooklyn, N.Y., was recently chosen as a winner in the Outdoor Products category in the Architectural Products Design Awards for its Solar Sail shade canopies. The canopies provide both shade and solar-powered USB ports for cellular charging, AC outlets and LED lighting.
The solar canopies are a pilot project operated by Pvilion under the Innovative Demonstrations for Energy Adaptability (IDEA) Program, an initiative of the City of New York’s Dept. of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Division of Energy Management. The program encourages businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs to create transformative opportunities and to foster a culture of innovation.
DCAS chose the New York Botanical Garden as the launch site for the new structures. Intended to provide visitors a place where they can seek shade, enjoy a beverage and recharge their mobile devices, the eight solar canopies, designed, engineered, and installed by Pvilion, provide space to relax while staying socially distanced.
Pvilion engineered a fabric that incorporates photovoltaic cells, which generate electricity with sun exposure. As part of New York City’s emission reduction efforts, seven of the canopies contribute energy directly to the city’s power grid. One structure powers a bank of batteries used by NYBG and by its Garden visitors to charge their mobile phones, and other devices.
The Architectural Products Design Awards, operated by Los Angeles-based The Architecture MasterPrize™, recognizes architectural product designers and manufacturers and seeks to celebrate the ingenuity of products and materials that make great architecture possible, and shine a light on those who create well-made, functional, long lasting, sustainable, beautiful and innovative products.