SOMBRA (by MVRDV), Venice, Italy

The SOMBRA pavilion is a showcase of innovative technology, featuring a kinetic shading system that operates exclusively on passive physical principles, without the need for electronics or motors. Its shape is inspired by heliodons, instruments used to simulate the path of the sun, and its name, according to its designers, is a result of the Latin words "sol" and "umbra": SOMBRA (shape in Spanish).

Architecture: MVRDV (Founding partner in charge: Jacob van Rijs; Partner: Bertrand Schippan; Design Team: Yayun Liu, Alberto Carro Novo; Text: Jessica Cullen; Copyright MVRDV Winy Maas Jacob van Rijs Nathalie de Vries) 

Collaborators:
Co-engineering, production, assembly, testing, installation: Metadecor
Research and production actuation: AMOLF Institute
Anodizing: Alumet
Mechanical engineering, colour and sunlight studies: ARUP
Bending: Kersten Europe
Structural engineering: Van Rossum Raadgevend Ingenieurs
Photos: Federico Vespignani, Jaap Heemskerk

Masdar City (Abu Dhabi), UAE 

In 2020 we have started a pilot with Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. ARUP - world’s leading engineering firm, was commissioned as engineering partner. The prototype for the project is further developed and built by Metadecor - a facade manufacturer in The Netherlands. 


Client: Masdar City
Technology: Airshade Technologies BV
Engineering: ARUP
Manufacturing: Metadecor BV
Architecture: Nikola Znaor Architects

Hoogeschool Utrecht, NL 

Within the scope of the EU SME Phase 1 grant, we have collaborated with ProtoSpace and The University of Applied Sciences in  Utrecht to develope a 1:1 working replacement for their electric-driven facade. 
First as a working prototype, and afterwards as a direct replacement for an electric linear. 
We have modified the existing electricity-powered facade of the Campus and refitted the motors with Airshade’s drive. Schellekens & Schellekens (HunterDouglas subsidiary) have supported us with material and technical support of systems for the laboratory tests. 

Client: Hoogeschool Utrecht
Technology: Airshade Technologies BV
Engineering: ProtoSpace
Manufacturing: ProtoSpace / Schellekens & Schellekens, Merlo
Architecture: Mecanoo (exisiting building)