The Evolution of the Energy Trees: Informing our Industrial Design Workflows

As with any industrial design process, a successful product demands more than an elegant form or a compelling idea; it requires a rigorous sequence of phases including data gathering, ideation, content generation, testing, and evaluation to arrive at a buildable concept. These phases trace the Energy Tree’s aesthetic and technical evolution from competition entry to realised product, an evolution that shifted fundamentally in response to the emerging realities of the project program.

During conceptualization, the basis of the design was to optimize the solar harnessing capability of a large circular disc that could track the sun while elevated 15-20 metres above ground on a vertical column. The final number of Energy Trees would supplement the performance requirements for the Sustainability Pavilion and its operations. The design was eventually repeated across the site 18 times with various height stems and two different disc diameters up to 17.5 metres. The economies-of-scale attitude to customization emerged because there was adequate repetition of parts.

Through energy-model research, we identified that standard photovoltaic panels, typically weighing less than 20 kg per square metre, could deliver significant cost efficiencies. However, their conventional rectangular or square formats would require complex secondary framing, lack a cohesive integrated expression from the underside, and ultimately fall short of the project’s energy-performance requirements. By contrast, custom-designed panels tailored to the specific challenge enabled greater conceptual freedom and unlocked additional advantages, including bifacial capability, allowing select underside panels to capture reflected light from the ground plane or adjacent materials.

This data-gathering process directly informed the development of a bespoke trapezoidal panel capable of increasing solar-energy capture by up to four times per square metre compared to standard, generic panels. The selection of high-quality, high-performance components was essential to ensure product longevity in a challenging environment subject to extreme conditions such as intense solar heat gain. While standard photovoltaic panels in milder climates can operate for decades with only gradual efficiency loss, the harsh desert context demanded levels of energy output and material resilience that exceeded what was readily available on the market.

Prior to the energy and structural investigation process, we utilised parametric scripts developed by Grimshaw’s Design Technology team to study the ecliptic movement of the sun according to the Energy Tree’s geo-location. Through these parametric studies, we discovered the single largest influencer on the eventual product. The desire for maneuverability of the solar disc was closely linked to the development of the form, impacting every stage from concept to the lifespan of the constructed product.

By introducing an X-Y-Z rotation hub at the top of the steel trunk, the team was able to validate year-round energy capture, with the upper disc tracking the sun throughout the day in every season before returning overnight to reset the cycle. Parametric analysis using Grasshopper also tested a static disc configuration optimised for annualised energy capture combined with Z-axis rotation only, which resulted in an 8% reduction in utilisation compared to full X-Y-Z capability.

This marginal loss was considered negligible, as it unlocked significant design and engineering benefits. The performance gains of the high-quality solar panel technology more than compensated for the reduced tracking efficiency, while the simplification of movement reduced dynamic loads and cantilever forces, leading to lower steel tonnage and more slender composite support arms. In addition, the enhanced bifacial solar panels introduced a significant increase in glass weight compared to standard off-shelf panels, further reinforcing the rationale for adopting a Z-axis rotation strategy.

The integration of these research phases was critical in resolving the final design into a tangible, fabrication-ready product. Constructed primarily from steel for its structural performance, the trunk was conceived as a fixed element supporting the upper composite disc and rotating sprocket assembly. Visual permeability through the stem was a key design objective, reducing perceived structural mass and allowing visitors to pass through the base of the Energy Tree.

Internal lateral stiffeners at 2.5-metre intervals within the steel column provided a robust structural framework capable of accommodating varied heights and integrating seamlessly with the undulating landscape of the Pavilion precinct, while avoiding visual dominance over adjacent Energy Trees. To facilitate access to the solar panels and integrated systems, including security cameras and lighting, a retractable ladder was incorporated within the trunk, with the lateral stiffeners doubling as maintenance landings.

The trunks were prefabricated and anchored into above-ground concrete footings to mitigate corrosion and allow clear access to the baseplate and associated mechanical and electrical systems. Circular seating elements were integrated at the base of the trunk to discreetly conceal and protect these components while providing an amenity for visitors.

Selected for their stiffness and high strength-to-weight ratio, carbon fibre and composite materials were used to form the iconic upper disc structure. The system was designed to minimise the number of moulds, streamline transportation and site installation, and achieve cost efficiencies across the family of Energy Trees.

Adopting a design-for-manufacture-and-assembly (DfMA) mindset, and supported by a high-quality local contractor, the project achieved an outcome made possible only through close integration between design and construction disciplines. Innovative material strategies resolved the structural challenges, and by aligning our digital design tools with the supplier’s testing and validation processes, the team was able to meet the project’s demanding energy-performance requirements.

The Energy Tree looks to the future through an iconic form engineered to deliver decades of solar energy with long-term resilience and reduced maintenance in a demanding, hot environment. Our ongoing work continues to evolve new concepts through industrial design, supported by design technology, regenerative design thinking, and our sustainability group—bringing together a cohesive workflow grounded in the right expertise, clear rationale, and shared sustainability ambitions.