A Closed-Loop Environment For Your Window Sill

Exterior application. Rendering by Beth Soucy via xClinic.

Bird refuge detail. Rendering by Beth Soucy via xClinic.

The Solar Awning now being developed by xClinic (short for Environmental Health Clinic + Lab) offers a complete closed-loop environment. Intended for residential and commercial use, the all-inclusive system offers shading from the awning, solar energy generation, bird sanctuary, and a vegetable garden.

The awning itself is an attractive alternative to traditional solar panels, incorporating the photovoltaic panels into the design of window awnings. The application of solar technology to window treatments is intended to capitalize on the vertical arrangement of urban environments. But the awning is more than meets the eye, it contains two layers of paneling with the first being vertically slatted and second containing strategically placed apertures. As the sun migrates over the awning throughout the day, it travels through the slats of the first layer at varying angles, hitting the apertures below and casting a light/shadow-generated animation on the floor of the room of rehabilitating bird species. The awning will generate enough electricity to charge electronics or power the GreenLight, another xClinic product designed to reduce indoor VOCs.

In addition to these solar innovations, the Solar Awning is intended to be a fully-integrated environmental system. Underneath the awning, utilizing the awning supports for structure, is an area designed for bird nesting and rehabilitation. Netting is strung between the two supports intended to create habitats for bird species otherwise being pushed out of urban areas.

Following the growing interest in urban agriculture, the Solar Awning also incorporates a vegetable garden. Quite the a-typical flower box, the vegetable garden hangs below the awning and bird nesting area in a durable origami-type structure made from tyvek. Tyvek is a durable paper-like material and is used in this application to reduce danger to pedestrians were one of the boxes to fall. The falling excrement from the nesting area will contribute the fertilization of the garden.

The Solar Awning is still under development but will be under-going pilot installation on the Bronx River Arts Center (BRAC) and NYU student housing.

Check out the video here.

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