On the occasion of Paris Design Week 2024, DECATHLON is partnering with ECAL's Product Design Master's programme to unveil "Sortir du Cadre", an installation showcasing two prototypes of electric-assisted trekking bikes based on research into eco-design.
Through this collaboration, DECATHLON engages the younger generation of designers around eco-design themes. These concept bikes, envisioned by students from Product Design Master’s programme, express a vision of the future in which sustainable development and the pleasure of outdoor activities go hand in hand.
by Justus Hilfenhaus & Jiahao Huang
Data collected* by DECATHLON show that steel is far less polluting than aluminum in almost every aspect of bicycle production. Yet most e-bike frames today are made from aluminum. Based on this observation, Galva offers a galvanized steel frame in which the battery is integrated and protected. To limit excess weight, the frame uses a minimum of materials while retaining its strength. Production is based mainly on tube stamping and bending, cold processes that consume less energy. Galvanizing the steel also provides a durable coating, guaranteeing the frame's longevity.
*Based on the LCDN 3.1 database provided by the European Commission.
by Gabriella Duck Garnham, Aurelia Pleyer & Yichen Wu
Inspired by the structure of the human body, E-venture revisits the anatomy of the bicycle by offering a more frugal alternative. A sleek, skeletal steel frame integrates electrical components, creating space inside the bike's “skin” to store the elements needed for touring. The E-venture's skin is made from unused textiles from DECATHLON's camping range and adopts the layering principle used for outdoor clothing. This design aims to offer flexible, lightweight storage, ideal for long trips, yet still suitable for everyday commuting.
E-venture concept bike by ECAL/Gabriella Duck Garnham, Aurelia Pleyer & Yichen Wu. Photo by DECATHLON/Pascal Giroire.
E-venture concept bike by ECAL/Gabriella Duck Garnham, Aurelia Pleyer & Yichen Wu. Photo by DECATHLON/Pascal Giroire.
E-venture concept bike by ECAL/Gabriella Duck Garnham, Aurelia Pleyer & Yichen Wu. Photo by DECATHLON/Pascal Giroire.
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Galva concept bike by ECAL/Justus Hilfenhaus & Jiahao Huang. Photo by DECATHLON/Pascal Giroire.
Galva concept bike by ECAL/Justus Hilfenhaus & Jiahao Huang. Photo by DECATHLON/Pascal Giroire.
Galva concept bike by ECAL/Justus Hilfenhaus & Jiahao Huang. Photo by DECATHLON/Pascal Giroire.
Galva concept bike by ECAL/Justus Hilfenhaus & Jiahao Huang. Photo by DECATHLON/Pascal Giroire.
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Prototyping of Galva and E-venture concept bikes at DECATHLON Headquarters in Lille. Photo by DECATHLON / Pascal Giroire.
Prototyping of Galva and E-venture concept bikes at DECATHLON Headquarters in Lille. Photo by DECATHLON / Pascal Giroire.
Prototyping of Galva and E-venture concept bikes at DECATHLON Headquarters in Lille. Photo by DECATHLON / Pascal Giroire.
Prototyping of Galva and E-venture concept bikes at DECATHLON Headquarters in Lille. Photo by DECATHLON / Pascal Giroire.
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MA PRODUCT DESIGN
with Christophe Guberan
‘Stool Story’ invited students to explore innovative, re-contextualised, or intriguing materials and production techniques to create a simple yet fundamentally structural typology: the stool. Each process was documented through a short, vertically formatted video. The result is a range of stools, each demonstrating a unique perspective and approach.
MA PRODUCT DESIGN
with Philippe Malouin
SolarPunk is a design exploration into how increasingly accessible solar energy might shape and integrate into our everyday lives in the near future. Embracing a hopeful vision of sustainability, the movement challenges traditional perceptions of renewable energy by imagining creative, aesthetic, and functional uses of solar power. This collection of work was created by first-year Master’s students in Product Design at ECAL, under the guidance of designer Philippe Malouin. Developed specifically for the Soleil·s exhibition at the MUDAC design museum in Lausanne, the projects reflect bold experimentation and speculative thinking. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency or utility, the students explored poetic, playful, and sometimes unconventional applications of solar energy, highlighting the emotional and experiential potential of this technology. Among the featured works are two standout projects which have been developed and feature in the exhibition: ‘Solar Shade' by Carl Johan Jacobsen, a wearable hat that powers a cooling vest using flexible solar panels, and ‘Butterfly Sunglasses’ by Takumi Ise, simple lightweight eyewear that combines colour, movement, and solar functionality.
MA PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville
Designed in CH, Made in JP is a collaborative project between ECAL Master Product Design, Karimoku New Standard, and Presence Switzerland. From 13 April to 13 October 2025, representatives from countries across the globe will gather to showcase innovation, culture, and sustainability at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. For Switzerland’s pavilion, MA Product Design students at ECAL were tasked with designing a stackable wooden chair to be produced in Japan by Karimoku New Standard, intended to furnish the lightweight, bubble-inspired architecture by Manuel Herz. Under the guidance of Augustin Scott de Martinville, the class developed ten chair designs, each offering a distinct perspective. Some draw inspiration from the pavilion’s scenography, while others explore cultural iconography or celebrate the symbiosis between two nations—each unique in heritage yet united by shared values of craftsmanship and innovation. Of the ten designs, one was selected to be produced for the pavilion: HUG, designed by Jacob Kouthoofd Martensson and Min Xiyao, is a circular chair that stacks inversely—a feature that not only informs its name but also visually embodies the essence of collaboration. This versatile design accommodates a range of uses, from conferences to general pavilion seating. The final chair will be unveiled both in Osaka in the Swiss Pavilion at the World Expo 2025, and during Milan Design Week 2025, with the full project exhibited at the House of Switzerland.
MA PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville
Heat pumps are energy-efficient household climate systems essential for transitioning to renewable energy and combating climate change. Typically installed outside close-by to buildings, they are becoming common visual elements in urban landscapes, often resembling air conditioners with limited design variety across brands. To reimagine these essential typologies, Viessmann, a world leading Heat Pump producer, invited MA Product Design students from ECAL to develop innovative concepts, resulting in designs that challenge norms and explore new visual identities of heat pumps.
MA PRODUCT DESIGN
with Thélonious Goupil
During this one-week workshop led by Thélonious Goupil, edits were made to a ‘drop false ceiling’ in Bar Gala Lausanne. By hacking the system, playing with existing elements such as lighting or ventilators, the outdate ceiling was given new life without the need for full renovation.