It’s the famous designer Philippe Starck who paved the way for better use of design in ecology, when he launched his "Democratic Ecology" concept. The aim of the company Pramac, for which he works, is thus to create ecological objects that are attractive and affordable for as many people as possible.
After his personal wind turbines project, commercialised in April 2010, Philippe Starck is now working on the production of a high-tech electric car and fully solar leisure boats. His aim: rising to "challenges to which creative spirits must rally".
Public transport: innovation goes green
Creation is at the heart of sustainable mobility thanks to a new generation of designers who are coming up with increasingly innovative projects that rethink public transport systems in towns.
One example is that of former ENSCI (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle*) student, Juan Lin, who received a ‘Star’ from the Observeur du design 10 awards, in the "long-term implementation" category for her “water tube” project in Paris. Inspired by initiatives in large foreign metropolises, such as the "Water Taxi" in New York or the "Star Ferry" in Hong Kong, this river-based passenger transport on the Seine offers a satisfying alternative to the underground or bus and “is also in line with the outlook for the Greater Paris region’s projects: to redevelop the Seine and its poetic transport”, as highlighted by its creator.
We’re taking to higher ground with two designers, Elisa Sayuri Irokawa Freitas and Rafael Osmar de Oliveira e Costa, and their 100%-green elevated tube system (the Suspended Public Transportation System). This suspended monorail works thanks to the installation of photovoltaic panels on the carriages and wind turbines along the length of the track, which thus allow it to be powered by renewable energies.
Finally, the Superbus, which has attracted a lot of attention, is taking apart all our stereotypes in terms of public transport. It took students at Delft University of Technology (in the Netherlands) 6 years to conceive this futuristic electric limousine, which is 15 metres long, can carry 23 people and has a 210-km (130.5-mile) range. A crazy project that has already received €7m from the Dutch government as well as €1m from local bus company Connexxion.
Large-scale implementation of this kind of project is not yet foreseen; however, the increasing number of initiatives that are turning towards the design of green transport is clearly evidence of a genuine willingness to rethink traditional means of transport.
* a French national Institute exclusively devoted to industrial design
Marcel Green and Sustainable Mobility are starting a new partnership together … And it’s all happening in the “Interviews” section!
