Earlier this month the ZSR team travelled to Dubai to exhibit Solskin at COP28, the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Conferences. Head of Architecture Vesna Kosorić and Business Developer Matthew Taylor showcased Solskin as part of the Swiss Village promoting Swiss start-ups that offer concrete sustainable climate change solutions within a vibrant startup village in the “Green Zone” at COP from 30 November to 6 December 2023. Showcasing how Solskin can play a vital role in making buildings more climate-resilient and help create more sustainable architecture to such an audience marks a new milestone for ZSR.
Highlights included visits and presenting to Swiss Federal councilor and President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset, H.E. Arthur Mattli, the Swiss Ambassador in UAE, Daniela Stoffel, Switzerland's State Secretary for International Finance and their delegations. Their visits emphasized the importance of dedication, innovation, raising awareness and collective efforts and collaboration. The discussions resulted in establishing many new connections from all corners of the globe who are interested in implementing Solskin as part of their cities.
Interacting with delegates, government officials, strategic partners, and customers alike, has been an unforgettable journey for our team. Solskin is a solution to expand urban solar installation beyond just rooftops, this is vitally important as our cities grow and the demand for innovative and architecturally appealing solutions providing localized renewable power increases.
It was amazing that so many people actively sought out to visit the Startup Village at COP28. Expo City is a vast space and so getting from one area to another is not straightforward, nonetheless we had many curious visitors all eager to see the latest technologies in action and meet the innovators of today.
For the first time, Solskin has been exhibited in the Middle East and our system has received countless compliments from local visitors and experts. Namely, for its great functionality, dynamics and interesting geometry and aesthetics resulting in light and airy BIPV system, Solskin is seen as a promising solar shading facade solution for Middle Eastern architecture with predominantly glass facades and spaces facing the growing challenge of high cooling loads, thus seeking smart multifunctional facade solutions that efficiently balance solar heat gain and daylighting without compromising aesthetics.
It was a real pleasure to meet and talk with people from diverse backgrounds who are advocating for a sustainable future. Few honorable mentions include Louis Palmer, a pioneer of the e-mobility movement and a famous motivational speaker; the facade engineers in the Dubai based office of Maffeis Engineering: Renato Cilento and Crisanto Fadel.
It is clear that cities across the world must adapt and become more resilient for the future ahead. We must seek innovative ways to reduce the overall energy consumption of the urban built environment and produce renewable energy locally. At the same time we must not compromise the livability, appeal and aesthetics of our urban habitat. We are happy to have found professionals and stakeholders globally who share this opinion, having made connections from the UAE, India, Singapore, Thailand, Lebanon, the US, EU countries and many more places. We are determined to bring Solskin to all these regions in the years ahead.
It was a great privilege to be part of the Swiss village alongside our fellow Swiss startups Clean Air Enterprise AG and Deasyl Innovation Green Chemistry. We are very grateful and express sincere gratitude to H.E. Arthur Mattli, the Swiss Ambassador in UAE, for the excellent service provided by T-Link Fairs & Events, Lea Sonderegger and Carl Ziegler which made the whole experience very enjoyable. We would further like to thank UBS, Michael Baldinger, Hitachi Zosen Inova, Bruno-Frederic BAUDOUIN, Fabio Dinale and Switzerland Tourism for their great service, warm hospitality and immeasurable support.
Authors: Dr. Vesna Kosoric, Head of Architecture; Matthew Taylor, Business Developer @ Zurich Soft Robotics (C) 2023