The Energy Curtain
Anders Ernevi, Margot Jacobs, Ramia Mazé, Carolin Müller, Johan Redström, Linda Worbin
The energy curtain is a window shade that absorbs sunlight during the daytime and then emits patterned light during the night. The curtain is made from a combination of textiles, solar collecting and light emitting materials.
Creative Contribution
What was the significant innovation in approach or thinking behind the project/artwork? How can this be recognisably attributed to the involvement of creative practice?
The energy curtain requires the user to draw the curtain during the day in order to absorb sunlight the energy of which is then emitted as patterned light during the night. During the day the user is asked to make a trade-off between letting in light or drawing the curtain in order to provide light during darker hours. The purpose of the curtain is to provoke the user to consider the relation between energy consumption and conservation.
The significance of the approach taken in the energy curtain is the combination of technology, textiles and design.
Collaboration
What were the disciplinary contributors to the project? What model of research / development was followed? What were factors leading to success / problems?
STATIC! was a collaborative research project led by the Swedish Interaction Institute between 2004-2005. The purpose of the project was to employ interaction design as a research tools to investigate awareness of how energy is used and for prompting changes in energy use practices. The project utilizes critical and user-centered design as a basis for communication and cooperation between designers and imagined end-users. The project was a collaboration between the Swedish Interactive Institute and the design studios POWER STUDIO and Design Göteburg. Additional collaborators included: Front, Göteburg Energi, Ludvig Svensson AB, Mälarden University, School of Design and Crafts (HDK) at Göteburg University, the Swedish Industrial Design Foundation (SVID) and the Swedish School of Textiles at the University College of BorÃ¥s. The STATIC! project was funded by Energimyndigheten (the Swedish Energy Agency or STEM) with additional support from Region Västra Götaland through the ENERGY+DESIGN Network.
Values
What were the outcomes of the project? How were these disseminated to outside stakeholders? What models of value are implied by this project? What was the Impact of the work?
The outcome of the project was three energy curtain prototypes, a masters thesis and conference papers. In addition the energy curtain has been exhibited internationally and the producers have presented the work at textiles fairs, seminars and conferences. The major achievement, according to the producers, being the specification of two fibre optically enhanced fabrics that can be industrially produced.
The project values include:
Investigating light as an aesthetic prompt and source of reflection for energy use.
Bringing together industrial, design and aesthetic knowledge and expertise.
To create a physical and interactive artefact that stimulates awareness and discussion around domestic energy use.
Links and Resources
http://www.tii.se/static/curtain.htm
"http://www.tii.se/static/papers/The%20Energy%20Curtain_Master%20Thesis%20by%20Carolin%20Mueller%201.pdf
