Stadium Franco Sensi: Rome’s Solar-Powered Stadium  

Green building of the week from Inhabitat is this solar PV encrusted soccer stadium planned for Rome - Stadium Franco Sensi: Rome’s Solar-Powered Stadium.

Forget decorative crystalline stadium skins; Gino Zavanella’s recently unveiled stadium is completely plastered in energy-generating photovoltaic panels. Stadium Franco Sensi, set to be built in Rome, Italy, will feature a museum of Rome’s football team, restaurants, lounges, and bars in addition to regular stadium seating.

On the outside, the stadium looks like an energy-guzzler — a massive band around the perimeter will blast messages via a LED screen — but in reality, Stadium Franco Sensi is actually very efficient. An outer zinc-titanium membrane shell on the stadium will feature one layer covered by solar photovoltaic panels, as well as a second translucent layer that lets in 80% of all light while preventing water from hitting stadium patrons.