In its third episode, Solar Machines explores Masdar City — a sustainable urban development near Abu Dhabi, masterplanned by Foster + Partners. Here, a new vision emerges of how cities in extreme climates can live with the sun.

At its core stands the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, conceived as both a research campus and a living laboratory for sustainable urbanism. Here, solar canopies stretch above narrow, shaded streets — creating comfort in the desert while generating clean electricity.

Through the voices of Piers Heath, Toby Blunt, Evangelos Giouvanos and Daniele Sbaraglia (Foster + Partners), in conversation with Pierluigi Bonomo (SUPSI) and Jean-Didier Steenackers (Sunsoak Architecture Studio), the episode explores how solar design at Masdar City moves beyond performance to become an urban gesture — a visible, educational act that turns architecture itself into a solar machine.

The Voice of Solar Architecture project is curated by SUPSI within the European Project SEAMLESS-PV and explores exemplary architectures where the sun becomes both material and metaphor.

Enjoy the video and don’t forget to answer the question below to receive a Certificate of Participation (1 CFU) from SUPSI Continuing Education.