Book launch Solar Futures

8 Sep 2022, 13:3014:30, Het Nieuwe Instituut

Solar Futures illustrates what we need to know to transition from solar technology to solar design using everyday integrated aesthetic solutions.

About the Publication

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. For this book Marjan van Aubel interviewed various experts from the field such as Paola Antonelli, MoMA, Ben van Berkel, founder of UNStudio, Lex Hoefsloot, founder of Lightyear, Marjan Minnesma, activist and many more.

Book launch

After a welcome by publisher Eleonoor Jap Sam, an introduction will be given by Matylda Krzykowski, moderator of the event. Author Marjan van Aubel will give a presentation of the book about the design and content. A panel discussion will be held with the interviewees. After the presentation of the first copy there will be the opportunity to purchase to book at NAI Booksellers and get your copy signed.

When and where?

Thursday 8 September, 13:30
Het Nieuwe Instituut
Museumpark 25 3015 CB Rotterdam

  • About Marjan van Aubel

    Marjan van Aubel (1985) is an award-winning innovative solar designer that 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.

  • About Jap Sam Books

    Jap Sam Books, headed by Eleonoor Jap Sam, is an independent international publishing house based in the south of the Netherlands. Our publishing house publishes titles that explore developments in architecture, art, philosophy, design, photography and theory as well as the fields that touch them, such as urbanism, landscape, sociology and history. Jap Sam Books has been established to reflect, connect and respond to developments in these fields, by bringing out a range of critical and reflective books for an international audience. We believe in a multidisciplinary approach and cross-border thinking.The books that we publish are not only educational and inspirational, but also very beautifully designed, and all produced in close collaboration with our contributors.