Solar Futures - How to Design a Post-Fossil World with the Sun, Marjan van Aubel

| The past, present and future of solar energy mapped out by award-winning solar designer Marjan van Aubel.

| For this book Marjan Van Aubel interviewed various experts from the field: Pallas Agterberg (Alliander), Habiba Ali (Sosai Renewable Energies), Paola Antonelli (MoMA), Ben van Berkel (UNStudio), Pauline van Dongen, Felix Hallwachs (Little Sun), Lex Hoefsloot (LightYear), Hella Jongerius, Marjan Minnesma (Urgenda Foundation), Alex Nathanson (Solar Protocol), Daan Roosegaarde, Wim Sinke (UvA), Neel Tamhane (Space10/IKEA), Karl Wagner (Solar Museum).

Solar Futures: How to Design a Post-Fossil World with the Sun by solar designer Marjan van Aubel explores the future of solar energy.

Solar energy needs a new narrative - one that says goodbye to old perspectives and only talks about the efficiency and the payback time of blue solar panels. This publication illustrates what we need to know to transition from solar technology to solar design using everyday integrated aesthetic solutions.

The book is divided into three parts: the first part explains how we designed with the sun in the past, providing a visual timeline of the historical development of solar power. The second part discusses the present: Where are we now and what is solar design? It provides examples of innovative solar design in architecture, fashion, mobility and product design. Finally, the last part looks at the future and asks how we can ensure solar energy does not become the asbestos of the 21st century.

'What makes energy unique is its alluring, intangible force – you cannot touch or hold it, yet everything is imbued with it. As Marjan van Aubel says: ‘You can bring, make, give and consume energy. We have to figure out how to do it.’ – Matylda Krzykowski, designer, curator and artist

Marjan van Aubel (1985) is an award-winning innovative solar designer who brings solar energy into daily life. She designs for a positive future by combining the field of sustainability, design and technology. Van Aubel’s goal is to make solar power more accessible for everyone. She has created lasting change through solar design, integrating solar power seamlessly into the buildings and objects that surround us. Her most notable works are Sunne, Current Table, Power Plant and the roof of the Netherlands Pavilion at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai. With Pauline van Dongen she is the co-founder of The Solar Biennale.

‘It’s time for the transition from solar technology to solar design, where we use the power of beauty to help facilitate change.’ – Marjan van Aubel

Graphic design SJG (Joost Grootens, Dimitri Jeannottat, Julie da Silva)
Printer Wilco Art Books
Number of pages 288
Book size 17 x 24 cm
Binding Hardcover
Language English

Publisher Jap Sam Books, and made possible with the support of Creative Fund NL, Cultuurfonds and the Sandberg Institute.

Promotional book photos: The Book Photographer
SHORTLIST DAM ARCHITECTURAL BOOK AWARD 2023