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.
Collaboration (2025) with Augustin Scott de Martinville
"Oasis" incorporates a heat pump into a compact architectural structure that integrates various environmentally focused features, including bicycle and electric vehicle storage, water collection, and solar panels. The heat pump's draft is directed to cool the solar panels, enhancing their efficiency. Its scalable design facilitates easy adaptation for individual or shared use of this sustainable hub.
"Oasis" incorporates a heat pump into a compact architectural structure that integrates various environmentally focused features, including bicycle and electric vehicle storage, water collection, and solar panels. The heat pump's draft is directed to cool the solar panels, enhancing their efficiency. Its scalable design facilitates easy adaptation for individual or shared use of this sustainable hub.
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Developed in the Swiss context, "Tavillon" reinterprets a traditional architectural technique in which split wooden tiles are used for façades. Similar to a chimney on a tavillon chalet, the heat pump is clad in wooden shingles and can be positioned atop the building, departing from the convention of existing heat pumps while preserving a vernacular and sustainable building tradition.
Developed in the Swiss context, "Tavillon" reinterprets a traditional architectural technique in which split wooden tiles are used for façades. Similar to a chimney on a tavillon chalet, the heat pump is clad in wooden shingles and can be positioned atop the building, departing from the convention of existing heat pumps while preserving a vernacular and sustainable building tradition.
Developed in the Swiss context, "Tavillon" reinterprets a traditional architectural technique in which split wooden tiles are used for façades. Similar to a chimney on a tavillon chalet, the heat pump is clad in wooden shingles and can be positioned atop the building, departing from the convention of existing heat pumps while preserving a vernacular and sustainable building tradition.
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"Unified" is a scalable and adaptable system for Viessmann heat pumps, built using anodised extruded aluminium profiles. The design enables the creation of various sizes and configurations of heat pumps with just two extrusion dies—one straight and one with a rounded corner. Inspired by the lenticular lens effect, the profile shape conceals internal components whilst allowing for efficient airflow.
"Unified" is a scalable and adaptable system for Viessmann heat pumps, built using anodised extruded aluminium profiles. The design enables the creation of various sizes and configurations of heat pumps with just two extrusion dies—one straight and one with a rounded corner. Inspired by the lenticular lens effect, the profile shape conceals internal components whilst allowing for efficient airflow.
"Unified" is a scalable and adaptable system for Viessmann heat pumps, built using anodised extruded aluminium profiles. The design enables the creation of various sizes and configurations of heat pumps with just two extrusion dies—one straight and one with a rounded corner. Inspired by the lenticular lens effect, the profile shape conceals internal components whilst allowing for efficient airflow.
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"Terra Cotta" integrates Viessmann technology into the garden landscape without hiding it. The materiality lends familiarity and enables a beautiful ageing process, while protecting the technology from outside factors. The brick format uses standard clay extrusion processes to allow for a format with sufficient airflow required for the pumps functionality.
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"Mailbox" integrates heat pump technology into a familiar street typology: the mailbox. In particular, it pays homage to the iconic Swiss letterbox design by Andreas Christen. This iconic Swiss design is typically produced in various formats, often featuring a cavity space beneath the boxes. In this concept, that cavity has been optimised to house a heat pump, seamlessly incorporating it into a commonplace street element.
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Founded in 1917 as a heating technology manufacturer, today Viessmann Climate
Solutions is a leading global provider of sustainable climate (heating, cooling, water and air quality) and renewable energy solutions. The Integrated Viessmann Climate Solutions portfolio seamlessly connects products and systems via digital platforms and services, creating an individualized feel-good climate for users. Viessmann Climate Solutions is part of Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. For more information, visit Viessmann Climate Solutions
Client Presentation
Client Presentation
Client Presentation
Client Presentation
Client Presentation
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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 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.
MA PRODUCT DESIGN
with Augustin Scott de Martinville
For this semester, students were invited to focus on the creation of a “One-Off” of their choice. They were encouraged to free themselves from the issues traditionally associated with industrial design - mass production, costs, market positioning, etc. The project concluded in a silent auction at the ECAL's traditional Christmas Market.