Fashion designer Pauline van Dongen has unveiled a unique pavilion at the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, showcasing her innovative textile known as Heliotex. This eye-catching canopy, designed to resemble a kite, incorporates solar technology through a lightweight, flexible material that generates solar energy. The Umbra Pavilion, located in the Strijp-S district, features a distinctive blue structure crafted from recycled polyester intertwined with organic photovoltaic solar cells.
Heliotex, a pioneering fabric developed in partnership with Dutch consultancy Tentech, is designed to collect and store solar energy, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional solar panels. Van Dongen highlights that this material adapts easily to various applications, unlike conventional panels that are often heavy and rigid. Her installation spans 40 square meters and incorporates eight square meters of solar cells linked to an energy storage system, making it suitable for architectural uses such as building facades and temporary structures.
The pavilion’s canopy is strategically positioned to create shaded areas for visitors seated on circular benches underneath. Alongside this project, Dutch Design Week features diverse exhibitions, including one that sheds light on the lives of asylum seekers in the Netherlands. The current iteration of the event is running until October 26, 2025, showcasing various international design innovations and concepts.