Energy design between art and artisan work

Abstract

Design and energy between art and artisan work: thus was born the process that generated a research and innovation pathway, conducted in Campania, between research centres and local know-how, within a tradition of relationships between art and knowledge, between craft and experimentation and more recently, between design and technological innovation. These relationships, which have roots within the local culture and the artisan tradition of the industry in Campania, were the synthesis of the pathway and of the process that led to the creation of the highly innovative outcomes of the Fotofun programme for integrating photovoltaics into buildings. In this sense, creativity and knowledge led to a shared phase of experimentation, and to an example of technological innovation, constituting a clear design process: one that delineated the scenario of reference for developing the Fotofun project which, via collaboration between universities, research institutes, and firms, returns a highly customisable product that is flexible, and can penetrate into new industrial sectors, defining guidelines for identifying future energy landscapes. In terms of tactics, the industrial design assumes the role of actor and director, guiding the processes of technological innovation, working within them, acknowledging their dynamics and the factors that can influence their strategies, making modifications where necessary, and using projects and products to construct the path towards innovation.

Key words: design, energy, artisan work, innovation.