Take a closer look at the Ombra Smart Solar Pergola recently exhibited at Canton Fair in China: solar panels, smart screen integration, built-in AC unit.
In phase two of the recent Canton Fair, one product drew a steady crowd of architects, designers, and developers eager to see what many are calling the next evolution of outdoor architecture: the Ombra Smart Solar Pergola. Combining solar technology, modular design, and indoor-level comfort, Ombra represents a new category of outdoor structure—part pavilion, part energy system, and all design statement.
Already a multi-award winner, Ombra has taken home the 2025 Milan Design Award (Gold), as well as previous honors from both the iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award. With its blend of clean aesthetics, advanced engineering, and sustainable performance, the pergola is positioning itself as a benchmark for how we might live and work outdoors in the years ahead.
WATCH our one-minute video tour of the smart pergola at Canton Fair here.
READ our story: Canton Fair China — Building Global Brands: “The Rules Have Changed”
Elegant Form, Practical Function
At first glance, the Ombra Smart Solar Pergola by Letright Industrial Corp. Ltd. reads like a minimalist architectural feature—sleek aluminum structure, sharp lines, glass walls that slide away to open the space to nature. But a closer look reveals that this is more than an aesthetic upgrade. Ombra is designed as a fully enclosed, modular system that performs like a room rather than a traditional pergola.
The structure can be configured in several sizes and combined into larger compositions, allowing flexibility for rooftops, gardens, and terraces. When the weather shifts, glass panels seal the space, and an integrated climate system maintains indoor-level comfort. Visitors at the Canton Fair demonstration were able to see the louvers tilt automatically, the walls glide back, and the interior transform from open-air lounge to climate-controlled retreat within seconds.
The emphasis on modularity is clear. Whether it’s a single unit for a residential courtyard or a series of connected modules for a hotel terrace, the system can grow with the project. The fit and finish reflect its premium positioning, with durable materials and discreetly integrated technology that avoid visual clutter—something that caught the attention of many architects at the fair.
Smart Power Meets Sustainable Comfort
Ombra’s most distinctive feature is its solar-integrated louver roof. Each louver doubles as a solar panel, generating renewable power while providing shade. According to company data, the system can produce up to roughly 15 kilowatt-hours per day, depending on conditions, with a high-efficiency energy storage center managing supply.
This built-in generation allows the pergola to power its own lighting, air conditioning, and shading functions, creating a self-sustaining structure that reduces reliance on the electrical grid. For outdoor spaces that traditionally require heavy infrastructure, this is a meaningful shift—particularly in resort or off-grid settings.
Inside, a digital control interface gives users fingertip management of the entire environment: louver angles, ambient lighting, air conditioning, and even misting. The design integrates sensors for rain and wind, automatically adjusting the roof and drainage system when weather changes. The result is a responsive, low-maintenance solution that adapts to both user preference and environmental conditions.
Beyond technology, the engineering supports durability and safety. Integrated drainage channels handle heavy rain, and the structure’s thermal insulation and air-tight glazing help maintain comfort in temperatures ranging from extreme cold to summer heat. Together, these systems make the pergola viable year-round, even in challenging climates.
Designed for Homes, Hotels, and Beyond
While the Ombra pergola is gaining attention among homeowners seeking premium outdoor spaces, its potential impact on commercial design may be even greater. For hospitality brands, boutique hotels, or upscale cafés, Ombra offers an adaptable, all-weather outdoor room that can operate efficiently and look refined.
During our Canton Fair tour, the company emphasized its versatility—suitable for rooftops, pool decks, resort courtyards, and even event spaces. The ability to add or remove modules makes it a scalable solution for seasonal or flexible use, a key concern in commercial environments where spatial layouts change frequently.
Ombra’s international ambitions are also expanding. The company’s founder recently visited Paris and Marseille to meet with European design partners and explore new markets, signaling intent to bring the system to a global audience. With sustainability and outdoor living continuing to trend in Europe and North America, timing appears right for such an expansion.
A Signal of What’s Next
Ombra’s growing recognition—from Red Dot to Milan Gold—reflects more than good looks. It points to a larger movement toward sustainable, smart, and design-driven outdoor environments. Architects and designers today are rethinking the threshold between interior and exterior, and Ombra makes that transition both seamless and intelligent.
The Canton Fair presentation confirmed that the product’s appeal lies not just in technology, but in the experience it creates: a quiet, comfortable, self-powered space that feels as refined as a modern interior. For design professionals looking to merge aesthetics with environmental performance, the Ombra Smart Solar Pergola offers a compelling model of what the future of outdoor living can look like—sophisticated, adaptable, and sustainably powered by the sun.
