HydroSKIN
Gold
Excellent Product Design
Building and Elements
Credits
Company / Customer
Details
HydroSKIN represents a revolutionary façade technology to reduce pluvial flooding and urban heat: The lightweight, textile skin absorbs the wind-driven rainwater hitting the building façade. Its use inside the building reduces water and energy consumption. During hot season, HydroSKIN releases water to cool the exterior and interior environment sustainably by evaporation. Thanks to their lightweight system design, HydroSKIN elements can be easily retrofitted to both new and existing buildings. Photo credit: © Universität Stuttgart.
The Jury‘s Statement
HydroSKIN presents a groundbreaking design concept that responds to the current challenges of climate change: A textile building envelope that collects rainwater and uses it either inside the building or for cooling during hot spells. On the one hand, this saves a considerable amount of water and energy; on the other hand, it is a clever as well as innovative solution to respond to environmental impacts in a sustainable way. An inspiring product that serves as a model for the entire industry. Concepts like this are needed if transformation is to be implemented in earnest!
