Heliotrope (building)

The Heliotrope is an environmentally friendly housing project by German architect Rolf Disch.

The first experimental version was built in 1994 as the architect's home in Freiburg im Breisgau, while the other two were used as exhibition buildings for the Hansgrohe company in Offenburg and a dentist's lab in Hilpoltstein in Bavaria.

Disch's unique design accommodates different utilizations from private residences to laboratories, and nevertheless maintains the structure's positive energy balance.

Disch built several more projects with PlusEnergy certifications with the goal of bringing the concept to the residential, commercial and retail space.

To further improve energy generation, the panels also rotate independently of the building to follow the sun, while being able to adapt its orientation in case of strong winds.