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* Project Name: POWER TOWER: Celebrating Renewable and Sustainable Energy Production
Excerpt: ‘ Power Tower ’ is an architecture thesis by Rebecca Francesca Palmieri from the ‘ Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio – USI ’ that showcases an innovative approach to sustainable urban infrastructure, seamlessly integrating renewable energy production with architecture. By utilizing kinetic, geothermal, and solar power, it meets the Wolf neighborhood’s energy needs while serving as a symbolic landmark. The project proves that energy systems can be both functional and visually inspiring, setting a new standard for sustainable design .
Introduction: Energy system architecture is undergoing a renaissance. With increasing capabilities to generate, consume, and store clean, sustainable energy—driven by climate consciousness—architects are developing innovative designs that integrate and highlight these technologies within the built environment. The Power Tower, located in an urban park, exemplifies this shift by utilizing kinetic, geothermal, and solar energy to meet the energy needs of the Wolf neighborhood. Its underground geothermal plant is complemented by a towering chimney that rises above surrounding buildings, acting as a symbolic landmark. Encased in a wooden framework stabilized from within, the structure is protected by solar panel cladding, shielding it from wind and water damage. At the heart of the project lies a public educational space where visitors can explore energy production. Beyond providing sustainable energy, the Power Tower fosters community engagement and awareness, paving the way for a greener future.
The Academy of Architecture’s diploma project explores the concept of superordinate roads and their influence on urban planning. Each atelier will create a master plan for a “master street” in Basel, selecting specific sites and defining building programs. Altogether, 15 urban visions and nearly 150 individual projects will emerge, showcasing a new generation’s architectural ambitions for a dynamic city.
Site Context
Orthophoto Of The Site
The Academy of Architecture’s diploma project explores the concept of superordinate roads and their influence on urban planning. Each atelier will create a master plan for a “master street” in Basel, selecting specific sites and defining building programs. Altogether, 15 urban visions and nearly 150 individual projects will emerge, showcasing a new generation’s architectural ambitions for a dynamic city.
Images shot at the point 47°32’40.5″N 7°36’11.5″E of the project. Shot by Rebecca Palmieri, February 2024 Images shot at the point 47°32’40.5″N 7°36’11.5″E of the project. Shot by Rebecca Palmieri, February 2024
One key site is WOLF BASEL, a 16.7-hectare freight station east of Basel SBB. Currently serving railway logistics, the site holds significant redevelopment potential, particularly if international freight traffic is relocated. This shift could open large areas in the west and south for new residential, commercial, and public spaces, while the northeastern section would continue as a container terminal.
Images shot at the point 47°32’40.5″N 7°36’11.5″E of the project. Shot by Rebecca Palmieri, February 2024 Images shot at the point 47°32’40.5″N 7°36’11.5″E of the project. Shot by Rebecca Palmieri, February 2024
Surrounded by train tracks, electric cables, and technical structures, the site presents a fragmented and chaotic landscape. However, it also offers a rare opportunity for urban renewal. In collaboration with the canton of Basel-Stadt, SBB is leading a planning process to explore redevelopment possibilities, aiming to balance infrastructure, community needs, and sustainability.
First Intuition: How can we recover energy from a moving train, convert it on-site, and distribute it to the new community in the Masterplan? First intuition model, made during the workshop in Bolzano, February 2024 in red, the energy harvested from the train tracks, and recovered in a volume. This initial idea of energy production led to the power plant project.
Ultimately, transforming WOLF BASEL could reshape Basel’s urban fabric, improving connectivity and introducing new amenities to support the city’s future growth.
Design Process
Design Process
A century ago, power plants symbolized national power and urban presence, promoting energy production through industrial design, a new architectural movement. Power plant architecture is deeply ingrained in collective imagination, with energy production seen as essential for future cities. These imposing structures with opaque facades are often perceived as distant from the general population.
First, by understanding the existing power plants in Basel and their numerous projects focused on sustainable and re- newable energy production, we can develop a comprehensive strategy. The Power Tower will become a new hub for energy production, integrating various methods to meet the community’s needs.
Map Of The Existing Power Plants In Basel
The concept of energy recovery emerged during a workshop in Bolzano in February 2024, where the potential to harness kinetic energy from train tracks was explored. An initial model demonstrated that this system could generate approximately 10,000 kW per day—enough to power 40,000 m². However, additional energy sources were needed to meet the demands of the 200,000 m² Masterplan.
Kinetic Energy
To develop a comprehensive and efficient energy solution, three renewable energy sources were integrated into a single Power Tower:
1- Kinetic Energy – The rail-mounted elements incorporate an innovative inner spring box mechanism. When a train wheel rolls over the de- vice, the lid of the box is depressed, harnessing kinetic energy. This mechanical action is efficiently converted into usable energy by an integrated motor system, which then channels the generated power back to the power station for storage. These devices are positioned every 5 meters along a 3-kilometer stretch.
Geothermal Energy
2- Geothermal Energy – A binary cycle power plant utilizes geothermal fluid (typically water or steam) and a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point (often an organic compound) to harness renewable and sustainable geothermal energy. These plants offer efficient conversion of geothermal heat into electricity, operating reliably with minimal emissions and a stable 24/7 power supply. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting energy independence through local geothermal resources, binary cycle geothermal power plants play a crucial role in advancing towards a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
Solar Energy
3- Solar Energy – Due to its proximity to expansive train tracks and minimal shading, the site is ideal for integrating solar panels as a supplementary energy source. Constant exposure and minimal obstruction from dust accumulation make it conducive to solar energy generation. Given the limited surface area, a vertical arrangement of solar panels is recommended to optimize space utilization and maximize energy production efficiency.
By combining these three energy sources, the Power Tower establishes a self-sufficient and sustainable system, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while enhancing energy independence and environmental resilience across the Masterplan.
Work of Luca Zanier, photographer, in Power Book, 2012 Theme of space and energy production
During the process of aesthetic research for the power plant, the student was intrigued by the work of Luca Reinier, a photographer who visited Swiss power plants and captured the rare beauty of these highly technical spaces. His conclusion was that modern power plants are designed to become invisible in the landscape, often buried underground or hidden carefully but it wasn’t always the case.
Final Outcome
Final Outcome
The power plant is situated at the heart of a new urban park, where its vegetation seamlessly connects with the existing green spaces. The earth excavated for the project is repurposed to create a topography that serves as a barrier against noise and pollution from the railroad. The tower assumes a distinctive identity within the cityscape, standing out prominently alongside the train tracks.
The Power Tower revolutionizes energy system architecture by uniting kinetic, geothermal, and solar energy into a single, self-sustaining structure. Designed to power the Wolf neighborhood, it serves not only as an energy hub but also as a symbol of innovation and sustainability, seamlessly integrating advanced technology into the urban environment.
Visitors access the wooden tower from the expansive mineral square that welcomes them from the city. On the ground floor, they can explore the underground world through openings in the slab, offering glimpses into the depths below. | Visitors descend to the basement via a wide staircase, gradually revealing the machines of the geothermal power plant as they reach the lower level. This design allows for a gradual and immersive discovery of the power plant’s inner workings. A symbol that celebrates energy generation Section | Details of the Visitor Center
At its core, a geothermal power plant lies underground, with a towering chimney extending above the surrounding buildings. This striking feature enhances heat exchange while representing the site’s dedication to renewable energy.
The Tower’s Structure The Tower’s Structure The solar panels are designed based on the facade’s orientation. South-facing panels are steeper to maximize solar gains, while panels on higher floors have an even greater angle to enhance energy production and create a dilation effect in the building’s shape. This approach optimizes efficiency and adds visual interest to the façade.
The tower’s structure is built around a V-shaped wooden exoskeleton, internally reinforced and enveloped in solar panel cladding. This design not only protects against the elements but also maximizes energy efficiency, reinforcing the Power Tower’s role as a pioneering model of sustainable infrastructure.
The building façade employs a strategic approach to solar panel placement. The south-facing panels are densely populated with solar cells to maximize energy capture from sunlight. In contrast, the north-facing panels have a reduced density of solar cells, creating a gradient effect. This not only reflects the lower solar gain from the north but also adds a sense of movement and visual interest to the façade. This design balances energy efficiency with aesthetic appeal. This design results in a highly opaque façade on the south side, facing the railroad, protecting from hot sun rays. Meanwhile, the gradient of the solar panels on the north side allows a visual opening to the wooden structure, balancing energy efficiency with an engaging view. The individual solar cells are connected to form lines within each panel. These cells are arranged to create varying densities depending on the panel’s position on the façade. A collector connects all the panels and gathers the produced energy. To create this gradient design on the façade, five modules have been designed to ensure rationality in the construction, installation
and replacement of different panels.
Every architectural decision was driven not only by the need for technical efficiency in energy production but also by the pursuit of an “energetic aesthetic,” where form and function merge to showcase the power of renewable energy. This vision is reflected in the gradient system of the solar panels: on the south façade, densely packed cells maximize solar absorption, while a more open arrangement on the north façade increases transparency, exposing the wooden framework beneath. This balance between opacity and openness gives the tower a dynamic architectural identity, making it both a high-performing energy generator and a striking urban landmark.
View from the inside of the visitors center. | From the ground floor, the view showcases a play of light and shade created by the solar panels. Physical Model
Visitors arrive at a vast mineral plaza, marking the transition from the city into an immersive energy experience. Openings in the ground reveal glimpses of the geothermal plant below, igniting curiosity and anticipation. A broad, descending staircase guides them deeper into the structure, unveiling the machinery in a gradual, cinematic sequence.
Power Tower
Conclusion: The Power Tower reimagines energy production as an architectural statement, seamlessly blending technology, sustainability, and public engagement. By optimizing efficiency while showcasing renewable energy, it sets a new precedent for urban infrastructure—proving that energy systems can be both highly functional and visually compelling.
[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]
Site Context
Design Process
Final Outcome
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