Heliotrope (building)

The Heliotrope (of heliotropism ) in Freiburg im Breisgau is the first rotating solar house of the architect Rolf Disch. The house, which was purchased in 1994, has been built as an experimental house. Within the framework of the German Architecture Prize 1995 a recognition award was given. In 1996 the construction of special prizes in the competition The Golden House of the journal house and garden as well as through the Fribourg Innovation Award.

Technological basics

The building is highly insulated and glazed on one side. With the help of a central pivot mechanism, the building orientation can be changed to the sun. Taking advantage of the greenhouse effect on the glass front can thus regulate the energy consumption of the building in sunshine.

The energy required to rotate the building by the sun, is an engine output of 120 watts and a fuel consumption of only 20 kWh per year. However, the energy consumption of the building is no rotation at a very low level.

The building was realized using extensive environmental protection techniques. In addition to the generation of electrical energy by a photovoltaic system are also now less common elements such as the systematic use of rain water, dry composting toilets and clarification of waste water in a reed bed treatment plant for use. The basic architectural form of a rotatable wooden column and one-sided glass surfaces allows the building, as needed to take advantage of the sunlight by the alignment is adjusted by the rotating mechanism according to the heating requirements at the respective position of the sun.

More Heliotrope

At the same time, the Hansgrohe AG commissioned a further heliotrope as a visitor center and exhibition space in Offenburg. Following this, a third in Hilpoltstein Bavaria was built in 1995 as a dental laboratory.