Optically enhanced solar façades as public art

About the Project

This studentship is based in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.

The proposed project explores how architectural façades can serve as visually engaging public artworks while enhancing buildings’ use of sunlight for energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Current needs for more sustainable and culturally meaningful building designs motivate the search for ways to integrate optical performance enhancements inspired by natural phenomena and PV technologies into facades with artistic value to increase renewable energy generation, an area that remains underexplored. Computational simulation and visualisation methods allow architects to choreograph sunlight and conceive façades that are both energy‑productive and experientially significant.

Aim

The proposed project aims to develop a design framework for conceiving architecturally expressive façade designs that leverage optics to manipulate sunlight and create visually engaging effects that enhance energy generation through PV‑based technologies. The research will employ computational geometric modelling and physics‑based simulations of sunlight behaviour and PV performance, along with architectural visualisation methods, to investigate facade design possibilities for sunlight manipulation through variations in geometry and material qualities, complemented by qualitative evaluation of visual effects and spatial experience.

The expected outcomes of the research include not only a range of facade design possibilities, but also a transferable computational design framework and methodology for integrating artistic intent with considerations on PV facade performance in early architectural design. The project will contribute to sustainable architectural innovation by showing optically enhanced PV facades' potential as public artworks supporting net-zero energy ambitions, and by offering architecture industry stakeholders actionable tools for designing active solar building envelopes with improved performance.

For more information about the studentship please contact Eleonora Nicoletti at Eleonora.Nicoletti@uwe.ac.uk.

Eligibility

• A master's degree in Architecture or closely related field.
• Proficiency in computational design and environmental analysis using Grasshopper 3D and Ladybug Tools.
• Proficiency in digital architectural visualisation techniques.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2627-OCT-CATE19.

The closing date for applications is 22 May 2026.

Supporting documentation

You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and a recognised English language qualification is required.

You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.

Interview dates

It is expected that interviews will take place on weeks commencing June. If you have not heard from us by July, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.

Funding Notes

The studentship is available from 1 October 2026 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax-exempt stipend, which is currently £20,780 (2025/26) per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years.