ignacio borrego designs solar panel structure that doubles as pergola on rooftop in madrid

the ‘photovoltaic shade’ cultivates solar power while serving as resting area for office employees 

spanish architect ignacio borrego completes the ‘photovoltaic shade’ as a hybrid structure sitting on the roof of a building in madrid. the 55 sqm volume holds solar panels that generate power for an office space in the building and, at the same time, provides a shaded platform where employees can cool down, rest, and gather.  

all images © imagen subliminal

using lightweight, steel galvanized profiles for assembly

balanced on four support points, the ‘photovoltaic shade’ is made of light galvanized steel profiles that support plasterboard partitions. for stabilization, ignacio borrego (see more here) and his team had to weld two curved circular tubes of 70mm steel that are wind resistant and able to transfer the weight loads to the four support points. 

the lightweight profiles were all bolted on-site and assembled without needing auxiliary systems. more importantly, borrego clarifies that ‘the whole set is reversible, all joints are removable.’ the pergola area was built using the same structural profile, and includes recycled furniture. 

project info:

name: photovoltaic shade

location: calle manuel tovar 16, madrid, spain

design: ignacio borrego | @ignacio_borrego
structure + construction: ignacio borrego, federica masia, federico arca sedda, gonzálo rvera, héctor turuhpial, jonander rodrígue
developer: tasvalor

solar installation: lodeal energía

total area: 55 sqm 
shade area: 25 sqm 

assembly date: 2021
installed power: 8,19 kWp
weight: 57kg/sqm
total budget: 12,500 €

photography: imagen subliminal (miguel de guzman + rocio romero)

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom