Sol Design Lab is a studio dedicated to the development of progressive solutions for urban sustainability.
Services:
· Ecological design
· Fabrication
· Consulting
· Public art installation
· Educational programs and curriculum development
We are interested in engaging and educating the public about sustainable systems thinking. Our goal is to aid in the shift from the current system relying on coal and gas for our primary power and transportation needs to a more sustainable solution. The placement of functioning solar art in public places serves as a springboard for conversations about effective design and renewable energy.
SolarPump Charging Station
The SolarPump Charging Station is a self-contained island of free solar power for the public to charge electric bicycles and mobile electronics. The station, similar in size to a bus stop, offers seating and inspires conversation about energy consumption, solar power and electric vehicles. The project was envisioned to combine the repurposing of an American car culture symbol (a 1950s Citgo gas pump) with an interactive display harnessing solar energy to charge electric bikes and mobile electronics. The power comes from special bifacial solar panels on the roof of the station, there's no charge for use of the electricity. The face of the gas pump has an LED digital display to indicate solar panel voltage to the batteries, power output to the inverter, and battery level. The station design incorporates furniture made from recycled street signs, wireless internet, lockers and shade.
The SolarPump charging stations have made appearances at college campuses, city streets, renewable energy fairs, and music and arts festivals. 2010 events include the Bioneers Conference, San Rafael, CA; 01SJ Biennial: Build Your Own World, San Jose, CA; SXSW, Austin, TX; Lollapalooza, Chicago, IL; Bay Area Maker Fair, San Mateo, CA; Coachella, Indio, CA; the Roskilde Music Festival, Denmark and the Hayes Valley Farm in San Francisco, CA. Press about the project has appeared in Poptech, Technology Review, Make Magazine, Tree Hugger and SXSW World.
In 2011, at the Hampshire College Lemelson Center in Amherst, MA, we will be teaching a course solar charging station design. This course will start a new partnership with universities and schools to engage students in a solar design curriculum. To see one of the stations in action, you can travel to the Hayes Valley Farm in San Francisco or come to SXSW 2011. |
People
 Beth Ferguson,
Founding director of Sol Design Lab
Beth is an ecological designer, public artist and social entrepreneur. She has an MFA from the University of Texas, Austin and a BA from Hampshire College (both in ecological design and social innovation). Beth has designed and toured with her SolarPump charging station at SXSW in Austin, TX, the Bay Area Maker Faire, Coachella festival in Indio, CA, the Roskilde festival in Denmark, Lollapalooza festival in Chicago and the San Jose Biennial in CA. Constant themes in her work include solutions to global warming and cultural change. She has co-produced community murals, the human-powered Cycle Circus, Austin's First Night mobile street theater, books such as Mapping our Common Ground and LoMap, youth view of lower Manhattan.
 Dallas Swindle, Industrial designer, fabricator, artist, and computer aided design specialist
Dallas has been in the field of CAD and rapid prototyping for 10 years. He developed a line of unique event tents for Artful Shelter in Asheville, NC before moving to Austin, TX to work with Sustainable Waves creating solar powered portable staging solutions then on to working with the Art Seen Alliance in festival and concert production and Sol Design Lab to help develop the SolarPump solar charging stations. Some of his other projects have appeared at: Burning Man, the Electric Picnic in Ireland, Coachella, SXSW, Bonnaroo, Lollapaloosa, Maker Faire, 01San Jose Biennial, and Art Outside.
Our crew setting up our first charging station at SXSW 2010. From left to right: Dallas, Beth, Rick, Maverick, Dann, Sachi & Christie.
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view & download the SolarPump Info Sheet
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