Curtains block out sunlight, but why don't they absorb it to create energy? Inside Outside came up with a bold proposal for the ‘Building with Textiles’ research project: an interior or exterior curtain with integrated solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity can, in turn, be used to cool or illuminate the room.
When formulating their research question, it quickly became clear to design studio Inside Outside that they needed technical expertise when it came to solar cells and current conduction with textiles. So, they asked the company Solar Fiber to join the project as an advisor. The main challenge was finding an integrated solution that was both technically and aesthetically sound and could be scaled up.
While researching the curtain’s construction, material and electronic circuit, Inside Outside collaborated intensively with the TextielLab. Besides technology and aesthetics, time and budget were also determining factors. Knitting this kind of complex fabric takes a long time, because every aspect of the design has to be programmed into the knitting machine’s software. This included the stitches to be used, the 3D pockets for the solar cells and how to incorporate the conductive yarn. After various tests, a prototype was produced measuring 3 x 1.5 metres. This was knitted in three sections to prevent the entire fabric from being unusable in the event of machine errors.
Besides stainless-steel conductive yarn, the curtain was made from thin black monofilament and blue, grey and black acrylic yarn. The decision to use black monofilament was an aesthetic one as it emphasises the blue-black solar cells and enhances the curtain’s technical appearance. In addition, a suitable position had to be found for the cells, the connection with the conductive yarns and the energy collection point. Knitting the conductive yarns in wide strips in the fabric ensured optimum conduction of the solar energy. The cells also had to be connected to each other with the smallest possible distance between them.
Ultimately, the cells were stacked in groups of five. These groups were attached in a series and then connected in parallel to the collection point. To be able to fold the fabric without causing a short circuit, the plus and minus poles were distributed over the cloth in such a way that they do not touch each other. By placing them in a mirror-like position relative to the fold line, the cloth can be folded like an accordion.
Founded by Petra Blaisse, Inside Outside has built a global reputation for high-profile interior and landscape designs. In terms of interior design, the studio focuses on inventive applications of textiles as a dynamic, spatial element. For instance, curtains can transform spaces, manipulate light and alter the experience of a space. According to Blaisse, her studio's job is to find new answers to complicated questions. These questions often come from architects the studio works with and are mainly technical in nature. Acoustics, light, temperature, movement and the view out of and into a room are important principles in the designs.
