The idea of using 3D printing techniques merged with photovoltaic cells gave birth to the Solar Bytes Pavilion. The project proposes an experimental structure that charges photovoltaic cells during the day and lights up at night to provide a fun recreational area for pedestrians.
The pavilions are constructed from 94 snap-fit building blocks made from translucent plastic. These sections have integrated light sensors and solar cells that are attached to low energy consuming led lights.
The modules for the Solar Bytes Pavilion were printed on a 6-axis robot arm in the Robotic Fabrication Lab at in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University. The team also made use of a DOHLE hand welding extruder and a Mini CS attached to the print head to make the printing process more effective.
The parts are 3D printed with translucent plastic.
94 of these modules or “bytes” are used to construct the pavilion, each of them have an integrated solar powered LED in the middle that takes the energy during the day, and shines at night.
