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UMBRA PAVILION -
Solar energy in textile form
UMBRA PAVILION -
Solar energy in textile form
UMBRA PAVILION -
Solar energy in textile form
UMBRA PAVILION -
Solar energy in textile form
UMBRA PAVILION -
Solar energy in textile form
UMBRA PAVILION -
Solar energy in textile form
UMBRA PAVILION -
Solar energy in textile form

UMBRA PAVILION

At the Ketelhuisplein in Eindhoven, the Dutch Design Week 2025 saw the opening of the Umbra Pavilion – a collaborative design by Studio Pauline van Dongen and Tentech. The pavilion is a lightweight, floating textile structure covering 190 m² and reaching a height of 9.6 meters.

The canopy, named Heliotex, features flexible organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) that generate solar energy while providing shade. In total, the pavilion incorporates 40 m² of Heliotex with 150 integrated solar cells (approximately 8 m²) and is connected to a 3 kWh energy storage system. This allows the pavilion to provide both cooling and sustainable energy generation.

By weaving the OPVs directly into the textile, a material is created that is flexible, foldable, and adaptable in shape, pattern, and color. The technology used represents one of the most sustainable forms of solar energy.

Heliotex has been developed with circularity as a guiding principle. The textile is made from recycled polyester (rPET) and designed as a mono-material, allowing the solar modules to be easily separated and recycled.

The production process of Heliotex is being further scaled up within an international Eurostars project in collaboration with Danish and German partners. After Dutch Design Week, the pavilion will be exhibited in Arnhem in 2026, where research will focus on how the textile can contribute to cooling in urban environments.

Photos: Ronald Smits Photography

Specifications

Customer:: Studio Pauline van Dongen
Client:: Studio Pauline van Dongen
Architect:: Tentech B.V.
Suppliers:: Zelt.studio, Vervaeke, Firma Schrijver, De Keij Betonplaten B.V. Roodenberg Staalkabels B.V.
Year:: 2025
Services:: Architectural and structural design, material research and innovation, engineering, assembly, and supervision
Materials:: Flexible organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), textile made from recycled polyester (rPET)
Surface:: 190 m²

Projects

More projects

Textile architecture projects

The covering of a courtyard, canopies or stadiums… Tentech is part of the building team when textile and complex geometric shapes are used in new or existing architecture. Often we are responsible for a specific part of the design. In dialogue with the architect, contractor and client, we achieve an optimal contribution.

The design…

Our designs are characterized by sculptural quality and clean detailing, along with requirements of the location and usage of the structure. Combined they result into strong architectural concepts, in which aesthetics goes hand in hand with safe usage.

…and more

Our work doesn’t end with the realization of the technical design. We focus on all aspects of the design and production process that have an impact on textile architecture. Therefore, we are involved with all phases of the design process: from project definition, composition and preliminary design to the technical design, quotation, workshop drawings and maintenance. Supervising production, translating design into tailor made cutting patterns and connections, and assistance in the search and selection of the right market participants, are also part of our services. In our view, this is part of ‘modern craftsmanship’.

Services:

architectural design
structural design
engineering
detailed technical design
project management
project coordination
research and development