Caventou; Biomimetic, sustainable design
Current Window is a modern version of stained glass — using current technologies. The coloured pieces of glass are generating electricity from daylight, and can even harness diffused sunlight. This electricity can be used to power a whole range of electrical appliances. The glass pieces are made of ‘Dye Sensitised Solar Cells’, which use the properties of colour to create an electrical current — just like photosynthesis in plants. Similarly to the various shades of green chlorophyll absorbing light, the coloured window panes harness energy. Plug in your devices through integrated USB ports in the window ledge. The greater the surface exposed, the more energy will be collected. Imagine these windows in churches, schools, and workplaces! Current Window offers us an example of energy-harvesting in a natural and aesthetic way, for our future.
Caventou was founded by Marjan van Aubel and Peter Krige. Marjan’s research process blends scientific precision with sensory responsiveness to develop aesthetic solutions for the future. Her objects make tangible the potential of technology and energy-harvesting for the benefit of the living environment. Intuitive and inquisitive, she believes interdisciplinary practice is the way forward for design. Peter is an experienced designer and engineer who has developed several successful products such as Beeline, Bare Conductive’s Touch Board and MOOn from concept stage to full scale production. Together they are re-defining solar technology and making it part of everyday life.
These objects, the window and table, integrate solar technology naturally into our daily lives, turning everyday objects into independent power sources that live and breathe energy. This is the kind of biomimicry in design which I really admire, the benefits are tangible and the execution is elegant and seamless. This work captured my imagination when I first happened upon it last year, and has remained in my mind. This is the kind of project I’d love to aspire to looking forward into my final year.
