TOBIAS TRÜBENBACHER design.architecture



PAPILIO

Light pollution and the high energy demands of public streetlights are damaging ecosystems, contributing to climate change, and affecting human health. PAPILIO addresses these issues with an innovative design that combines an insect-friendly light spectrum with a built-in wind rotor to generate renewable energy, reducing both light pollution and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

The streetlight uses a Savonius rotor, which captures both vertical and horizontal airflows, ensuring reliable energy generation regardless of wind direction. This energy is stored in a rechargeable battery, allowing PAPILIO to operate autonomously without costly underground power connections. Alternatively, it can feed surplus energy into the grid during strong winds.
PAPILIO minimizes light pollution with a light-shielding  “full-cut-off” design that directs light downward, an infrared sensor that activates the light only when needed, and a warm 2700 Kelvin spectrum that is less harmful to insects. This design not only reduces ecological impact but also enhances urban environments with its aesthetic appeal.

The climate-neutral energy production becomes an aesthetic play, enriching the public space – both during the day and at night.