Architecture
The Role of BIPV in Net-Zero Buildings
How architects are treating the photovoltaic envelope as a primary design surface, not a mechanical add-on.
Studio EditorialApril 30, 2026 9 min read
The most ambitious net-zero projects of 2025 share one trait: photovoltaics are specified at concept stage, not value-engineered into the project after envelope sign-off.
From cladding to active surface
Designers now treat the south, east, and west elevations as one continuous active surface. Color-matched modules, custom cell layouts, and printed glass let the envelope read as architecture first.