Rolf DISCH

Solution / Heliotrop^®

Heliotrop^® was an ambitious project for German architect Rolf Disch. Proudly located in the center of Freiburg, the building is an experimental residence that was designed to apply and test concepts for future buildings. It strives to reach a complete environmental balance and even recreates the basics of certain natural systems, for example, in how it handles waste.

The building’s namesake is the heliotrope plant, a member of the Borage family found in warm regions which turns its leaves to follow the sun’s movement. Rolf Disch's building is based on the same principle and orients toward or away from the sun through the use of ingenious rotating systems. The residence collects so much solar energy that the surplus electricity is passed along to the electric company!