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VDM Transform X Land
Events | VISIT NOW

Transform! Designing the Future of Energy

23 March – 1 September 2024 | Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, GERMANY

The exhibition, ‘Transform! Designing for the Future of Energy’ focuses on how design plays a key role in the transition to renewable energy. It covers the design of everyday products that use renewable energy, from the design of solar houses to wind power stations, and smart mobility systems to self-sufficient cities.

A publication accompanies the exhibition, featuring around 100 projects from the fields of design, architecture and urban planning that represent pioneering approaches to the topic of energy. Photo XTU Architects, X_Land, Rendering, 2020 © XTU Architects. Vitra Design Museum

VDM Transform Charles Ray Eames
Charles and Ray Eames, Solar Do-Nothing Machine, 1957 © Eames Office / LLC (eamesoffice.com). The display used photovoltaic technology to set a kinetic sculpture in motion.
VDM Transform Hoffman 7 6
A rainbow assortment of Hoffman 706 Trans-Solar Radios, released in 1958. Photo by Karl Wagner / Museum Of Solar Energy, from the Bill Burkett private collection.
VDM Transform The Idea of a Tree
mischer’traxler, The Idea of a Tree, 2010. Photo Andreas Sütterlin © Vitra Design Museum.
Energiebunker
Hamburger Energiewerke, Energy Bunker, 2015 © Hamburger Energiewerke/Sumesgutner.
VDM Transform Solar Shirt
Pauline van Dongen, Solar Shirt, 2015 © Pauline van Dongen. Photo Liselotte Fleur.
VDM Transform SPACE
Solarville — SPACE10, 2019 © Solarville — SPACE10. Photo Irina Boersma.
VDM Transform Covestro solar car
The paradigm shift from the combustion engine to the electric motor is increasing the importance of solar energy in transportation. Experimental solar-powered automobiles like the Covestro Sonnenwagen can cover a distance of up to 500 km with a solar array measuring roughly 2.5 sqm. Team Sonnenwagen Aachen, Covestro solar car, 2019 © Sonnenwagen Aachen e.V.
VDM Transform The Day After House
The Day After House by TAKK architecture (2021) demonstrates that high-tech solutions are not mandatory for improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings. A clever spatial configuration with various climatic zones and the use of natural insulation materials results in this apartment requiring almost no supplemental heating. © José Hevia.
VDM Transform Helsinki Hot Heart
CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati, Helsinki Hot Heart, 2021 © CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati.
VDM Transform Sunne
Marjan van Aubel, Sunne, solar powered lamp, 2022 © Marjan van Aubel Studio.
VDM Transform SPS Earth Sun
Andreas Treuer, SPS-Earth-Sun, 2022 © ESA/Andreas Treuer 2022.
VDM Transform Hydrogen Cooker
HydrogenCooker designed by Stefan Troendle in collaboration with EPFL, 2022 © Stefan Troendle. Photo Hikaru Hori.
VDM Transform ONO
ONOMOTION has invested in e-cargo bikes and a combination of electric motor and muscle power. Janine Graubaum ONOMOTION GmbH, E-Cargobike ONO © Janine Graubaum. ONOMOTION GmbH.
VDM Transform Re Gen
Visitors are invited to discover their own potential for generating energy. By pedalling on stationary exercise bikes, they can see how long it takes to produce enough electricity for common activities such as brewing coffee, browsing the web or taking a hot shower. Photo of Energym, gray RE:GEN, 2023 © Energym 2023.
Transform Vitra Design Museum installion
Installation view. ‘Transform! Designing the Future of Energy’ © Vitra Design Museum. Photo Bernhard Strauss
Transform Vitra Design Museum installion 2
Installation view. ‘Transform! Designing the Future of Energy’ © Vitra Design Museum. Photo Bernhard Strauss.
Transform Vitra Design Museum Exterior
Transform! Designing the Future of Energy © Vitra Design Museum. Photo Bernhard Strauss.