Sustainable Innovation: “SUNTEX” weaves solar power into textiles, delivering shading and energy generation for facades and tensile architecture. This innovative solution is the work of Studio Pauline van Dongen and Tentech.
"The energy transition is not just a technical challenge – it’s a cultural transformation. We need materials that inspire, engage, and reflect our connection to the world."
The construction industry is facing significant challenges, with climate change requiring solutions that go beyond energy efficiency to also address cultural and aesthetic considerations. A response to these demands comes in the form of “Suntex”, a textile material with integrated solar technology. Developed by Pauline van Dongen, her team and Tentech, it seeks to promote the energy transition through innovative design.
“Suntex” represents more than just a technical advancement – it offers a pathway to integrating sustainability into architecture without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Unlike traditional solar panels, which are often purely functional, this material broadens design possibilities with options for customizable colors, patterns, and transparency levels. The aim is to develop materials that not only generate energy but also contribute to the visual and experiential quality of buildings, enhancing overall quality of life.
Demonstrator shading element, image: Studio Pauline van Dongen
Design and function: A new balance
Through innovative weaving techniques, the properties can be adapted to meet specific requirements. This includes the selection of yarn types, weaving patterns, and the openness of the fabric. These features help achieve a balance between technical efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
The design is also intended to address cultural objectives. Pauline van Dongen emphasizes that sustainable materials must gain public acceptance, which is only possible if they inspire and remain accessible.
Production challenges: Recycling and lifespan
The production of “Suntex” involves a comprehensive understanding of material science and sustainable processes. The development team collaborates with experts like Tentech to identify yarns with properties such as high tensile strength, UV resistance, and flame retardancy, ensuring durability while also meeting recycling requirements.
A significant challenge lies in integrating solar technology without relying on toxic materials. The material avoids traditional PVC coatings and instead prioritizes modular, repairable designs. Solar panels are not glued but embedded into the textile, making them easy to separate and recycle. This approach extends the lifespan of both the textile and its components.
Additionally, the material lifecycles are carefully coordinated. For example, a textile facade can last for 20 years or longer. “Suntex” aligns the lifespan of its solar cells with these timelines to ensure maximum efficiency and sustainability.
Pauline van Dongen about designing climate-responsive architecture with textiles
The innovation illustrates how technology, design, and sustainability can intersect within the realm of architecture. Rather than being merely a product, it represents a broader vision for the future of construction practices. The textile industry is seen as pivotal in this process, offering flexible, modular, and aesthetically appealing materials that meet the evolving needs of the building sector.
“Suntex” introduces fresh opportunities for creating climate-neutral and even climate-positive buildings. By blending technical efficiency with aesthetic appeal, it underscores the idea that the energy transition is not solely a technical challenge but also a cultural one. This approach makes the concept of a solar-powered future both tangible and inspiring, bridging the gap between technological innovation and human-centered design.
Architectural model at SECRID, Dutch Design Week 2024, photo: Nick Bookelaar
Suntex’ deployability, photo: Anna Wetzel
Further image sources:
Header photo: Overtreders W
Portrait photo: Jurre Rompa
