Exhibition: Transform! Designing the Future of Energy

»Transform! Designing the Future of Energy«
© Vitra Design Museum
Photo: Bernhard Strauss

Exhibition: Transform! Designing the Future of Energy
23 March 2024 – 1 September 2024
Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany

https://www.design-museum.de/en/exhibitions/detailpages/transform.html

The Museum of Solar Energy has loaned some historical pieces to the exhibition, highlighting the early steps in solar power technology:

• Early Solar Energy Kit: This educational kit, likely aimed at hobbyists or students, contained the necessary materials to build a small solar-powered relay device, such as a light activated switch. It would have served as a hands-on introduction to photoelectric control and its potential uses, sparking interest in this developing field.
• Bell Laboratories Solar Cell Prototype: This specific artifact is a prototype solar cell developed by Bell Laboratories, a pioneering research institution. It represents the early advancements and research efforts that laid the groundwork for the more efficient solar cells used today.
• Early Solar Radios: These radios were powered directly by solar cells, showcasing the practical applications of solar energy. They could potentially operate without relying on batteries or an external power source, demonstrating the potential of solar for everyday use.

These loaned artifacts provide a valuable historical snapshot of the early stages of solar energy technology. They highlight the early inventions and educational tools that paved the way for the widespread adoption of solar power we see today.

“Energy is the main driving force of our society; energy is political, energy is invisible, energy is omnipresent. All of the buildings, infrastructure and products related to the generation, distribution and utilization of energy are created by human beings. Consequently, design plays a key role in the current transition to renewable energy.

The exhibition »Transform! Designing the Future of Energy« shines a light on the transformation of the energy sector from the perspective of design: from everyday products that use renewable energy to the design of solar houses and wind power stations; from smart mobility systems to futuristic visions of self-sufficient cities. What are the criteria for designing an energy-efficient product? How can design contribute to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources? How can industry, government policies and every one of us help to achieve the transition to a sustainable future?

Exhibition publication
After its initial presentation at the Vitra Design Museum, the exhibition will tour to further international venues. An accompanying publication features around 100 projects from the fields of design, architecture and urban planning that represent pioneering approaches to the topic of energy. The book is illustrated with some 200 images and includes essays by Catharine Rossi, Stephan Rammler, Ivan Illich, Daniel A. Barber, Donatella Germanese and Carola Hein. Book design by Helen Stelthove; linen softcover, thread-bound; ISBN 978-3- 945852-60-6 (EN), 55.00 EUR, also available online at: shop.design-museum.de/en ” © Vitra Design Museum

Transform! Designing the Future of Energy book is available from the Vitra Design Museum Shop and other book retailers in English and German languages.