Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) TU Eindhoven presents itself as the specialist in healthcare, sustainable energy and smart mobility education. Students at the Industrial Design faculty are mainly busy developing so-called intelligent products and services. Here intelligent means: reacting to the environment in an intelligent way. According to Martijn Verkuijl, lecturer and theme champ of the , ‘Next Nature educational theme, sustainability requires more than just awareness. Influencing behaviour offers more opportunities. So Verkuijl considers Van den Boom , gaard s comments about designing products that will be introduced in 20 years as a compliment.
‘Design for social change requires a strong visionary ability, where a desired idea of the future is determined and is then worked towards. This does not mean that students sit in class dreamily philosophising, about a better future
A good example of a concrete but intelligent product is the Persuasive Innovative Emotional Trashcan, lovingly called P.I.E.T. This product, designed by first-year students, won the Strijp-S, Simply the cleanest design contest in Eindhoven and, in doing so, defeated several professional submissions. Currently, usability tests are being performed with the prototype and the team is working hard at developing the rubish bin further. The P.I.E.T. is a product with feelings: by using light, image and sound the rubish bin can change its expression. It can talk to people and give compliments. This should entice passersby to throw away their rubbish. This rubbish system has been developed to solve the street litter problem. In addition to the planet factor, the product also scores in the people and profit areas of the well-known triple p model. This is because residents benefit from a clean neighbourhood and the product saves local authorities money through a reduction in cleaning activities.
Martijn Verkuijl (TU/e)
Design for social change requires a strong visionary ability, where a desired idea of the future is determined and is then worked towards. This does not mean that students sit in class dreamily philosophising about a better future. From the beginning of the programme, students get to work on projects for , clients in the ‘real world . The TU/e is often approached by companies that want to get started on a topical theme, such as sustainability.
40
Collaboration In 2007, the 3 TUs founded the 3TU Federation, to strengthen the position of the Dutch knowledge economy and generate innovation. Through this collaboration, five joint , master s programmes are being offered. With regard to the specific area of sustainability, the universities have indicated that there is no concrete collaboration other than , the joint master s in Sustainable Energy Technology (SET). Conclusion There is a growing awareness within the three Universities of Technology that sustainability is an indispensable aspect for the future. By offering more and more pro, jects, electives, minors and master s programmes with a sustainable character, more and more students will graduate feeling very strongly about sustainability. Ultimately, this will affect both the industry and consumer products, but it will take time. The universities of technology are known for innovative projects that require time to develop before they are ready to be applied in the commercial world. Awareness of sustainability is a relatively new phenomenon. And the collaboration between the universities even more so. So much can yet be achieved in the coming years. Fortunately, there are more and more commercial projects for which sustainability is the basic principle. And within the universities the demand for sustainable courses is growing. Hopefully, we will soon really be able to say that thinking about sustainable solutions is just as common within the design process as making a calculation of costs. •
P.I.E.T. (Persuasive Innovative Emotional rubish bin) TU/e
Via Maroncelli, 14 - Milan Contacts: T +39.02.29062986 - sscetti@libero.it EDIT is a communication platform, an innovative promotional format, a playground for creativity addressed at trends and trade. Home to international nomads, EDIT is also an exclusive location in the city centre of Milan: because meeting is always the way for authentically communicating. The exhibition space is located districts of Brera, Garibaldi and rarely large for the city centre. amazingly airy and luminous, contemporary architecture set atmosphere.
between the Isola and is EDIT is also a piece of in a quiet
EDIT can provide 1.250 square meters of available floor surface in a modular and flexible environment composed by: 2 grand open-spaces with double height and double air/sun exposition, private offices and rooms, kitchen, services, loading area with elevator and 2 private courtyards. EDIT provides to companies, communities and a selected public a pleasantly living space and a community of diversified professionals to help them communicate and promote their ideas, projects and products.
SUSTAINABILITY FROM A TECHNOLOGICAL VIEWPOINT