Nestled in the heart of Rouen, with a breathtaking view of the city of a hundred steeples, the new Hyatt luxury hotel boasts a solar roof designed by SunStyle. Housed in the former École Normale de Formation des Institutrices, built in the mid-19th century on Place Rouen, the hotel is an integral part of the city’s heritage. SunStyle’s mission was to enable a sustainable building program at Hyatt, produce renewable energy, and respect the architectural heritage of the site, which is protected by the Architect of Heritage for France. 

The challenge was successfully met: the 313 solar tiles that compose the building’s roof fit seamlessly with its architecture, blending old-style materials, as their design is inspired by traditional slate shingles. This approach preserves the building’s unique character while ensuring a production capacity of 19 kWp. Moreover, the tiles are French CSTB certified, demonstrating robustness and advanced technology. They have been tested to withstand all climatic conditions encountered in mainland France, including heavy rain, hail, and wind, and they meet the highest safety standards, particularly regarding fire certification for public buildings. 

Thus, the hotel will benefit from long-lasting renewable electricity while maintaining the architectural aesthetic of its building and its status as a historic landmark. The project exemplifies the ability to integrate a sustainable solar energy system into a building’s architecture without compromising the original design and aesthetics.