U.F.O.G.O. Wind Turbines

U.F.O.G.O. Wind Turbines

In 2023, the significant role of renewable energies in tackling the environmental crisis is blatant. In this context, wind power has once again been presented as a promising avenue for regions seeking to transition to renewable energy. However, concerns about their visual intrusion on surrounding environments pose a significant obstacle to their deployment.

From a design perspective, this aesthetical factor is not insurmountable. On the contrary, it highlights the need for greater consideration of how we shape these technologies and integrate them into the environment and our lives. This project, completed by 16 MA Product Design Students of ECAL, has set out to explore how wind turbines can fit into natural landscapes and cultures not only sensitively, but beautifully – if we focus on their design.

To complete the project effectively, a case study location was required. Fogo Island (Newfoundland, Canada), described locally as "this rock in the battering Northern Sea," was chosen due to its natural beauty, abundant wind, and tight-knit community of approximately 2,500 inhabitants. The island's climate and geography make it ideal for wind turbines. Additionally, Fogo Island is home to Shorefast, a non-profit organization dedicated to building a sustainable, renewable economy for the island.

In October 2022, the students and tutors of ECAL visited and immersed themselves in Fogo Island. The project resulted in eight speculative yet practical wind turbine designs, considerately informed by various perspectives. U.F.O.G.O. is a sustainability project  grounded in reality, but not limited by what already is.

 

Collaboration Partners: 

Shorefast 

HEIG-VD/School of Management and Engineering Vaud (Marc Pellerin, Philippe Morey and Marco Viviani)

Media Partner:

Disegno

Funding:

Summer University Programme of the Board of Higher Education (DGES) State of Vaud

HES-SO Recherche Transdisciplinaire en Durabilite (under the project title 'INTEGRATED WIND TURBINES’)

 

Collaboration, Research project (2023) by Cedric Oder, Jule Bols, Fleur Federica Chiarito, Matteo Dal Lago, Sebastiano Gallizia, Sophia Götz, Maxine Granzin, Luca Vernieri, Lucas Hosteing, Paula Mühlena, Oscar Rainbird-Chill, Yohanna Rieckhoff, Donghwan Song, Chiara Torterolo, Marcus Angerer, Luis Rodriguez

Assistants
Maxwell Ashford
RR Reuse by ECAL / Fleur Federica Chiarito and Matteo Dal Lago. Photo by ECAL / Marvin Merkel
RR Reuse by ECAL / Fleur Federica Chiarito and Matteo Dal Lago. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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Pneuma by ECAL / Jule Bols and Sophia Götz. Photo by ECAL / Marvin Merkel
Pneuma by ECAL / Jule Bols and Sophia Götz. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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Cliffhanger by ECAL / Oscar Rainbird-Chill and Cedric Oder. Photo by ECAL / Marvin Merkel
Cliffhanger by ECAL / Oscar Rainbird-Chill and Cedric Oder. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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Evind by ECAL / Maxine Granzin and Paula Mühlena. Photo by ECAL / Marvin Merkel
Evind by ECAL / Maxine Granzin and Paula Mühlena. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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Fogoflags by ECAL / Chiara Torterolo and Luca Vernieri. Photo by Marvin Merkel
Fogoflags by ECAL / Chiara Torterolo and Luca Vernieri. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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Pyre by ECAL / Sebastiano Gallizia and Marcus Angerer. Photo by Marvin Merkel
Pyre by ECAL / Sebastiano Gallizia and Marcus Angerer. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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FLO by ECAL / Lucas Hosteing and Donghwan Song. Photo by Marvin Merkel
FLO by ECAL / Lucas Hosteing and Donghwan Song. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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WindSeed by ECAL / Yohanna Rieckhoff and Luis Rodriguez. Photo by ECAL / Marvin Merkel
WindSeed by ECAL / Yohanna Rieckhoff and Luis Rodriguez. CGI by ECAL / Arthur Seguin

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Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta
Fogo Island Visit - Photo by Jasmine Deporta

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