Cover photo: GC MUDAC – SOLAR BIENNALE – SOLEIL·S Exhibition – ph. Cynthia Ammann
Rethinking how we understand solar energy and integrate it into our everyday lives. Envisioning an ecological transition rooted not only in technology but in creative and design-driven approaches.
These are the foundations of the Solar Movement and the Solar Biennale, currently on view at mudac in Lausanne through September 21.
Now in its second edition, the Solar Biennale explores solar aesthetics and culture through a multidisciplinary lens. Marjan van Aubel and Pauline van Dongen, co-founders of the Biennale, shared with us the deeper motivations behind their work and the ambitious goals they hope to achieve.
What are the motivations behind the Solar Movement, and what is it specifically about?
«We launched the first Solar Biennale in 2022 in Rotterdam, followed by the second edition in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Solar Biennale is an international platform that brings together scientists, architects, designers, and anyone interested in the transition to solar energy. We aim to kickstart a worldwide solar movement by making solar energy a natural and integrated part of daily life. It began as a way to accelerate the solar movement and continues to grow as a space where people can share knowledge, imagine a sustainable future together, and connect through design. Our goal is to make solar energy not just a technical solution but something that resonates emotionally and aesthetically. The Biennale highlights this human connection, creating room for wonder and creativity in shaping a solar-powered future. The basis of this movement is a Solar Manifesto and a series of Solar Principles that serve as guidelines for solar designers so that solar design as a design approach can become more widespread».
At a time when communication and even outreach are happening more and more remotely or through social media, how did you come up with the interesting path of creating an exhibition/fair dedicated to solar? And why does each edition have a different venue?
«We believe it is crucial to create a physical space where people can engage directly, not just online, and where they can experience the projects in person and within the space. During the opening at mudac in Lausanne, we saw very promising projects, not just from a technical perspective but also in terms of storytelling and raising awareness. Experiencing the projects in person can foster a deeper connection and understanding».
«Each edition of the exhibition takes place in a different venue because solar solutions and their social, cultural, and environmental implications are inherently contextual. By changing locations, we invite new audiences, local collaborations, and fresh perspectives. We are excited to see what emerges from the workshops and events that took place and are still running at mudac and how much progress will have been made by the time the next Biennale takes place».
What is different about this edition of the Solar Biennale from the previous one? Did you go deeper into anything there any theme that is particularly interesting and that you think is, in some way, revolutionary?
«The first edition of the Solar Biennale, organized in collaboration with Nieuwe Instituut, was a kick-off. Everything was new, and we had no idea how the public would respond or who would join us. It turned out to be a great success, with engaging workshops and strong international interest, with coverage from the international press. We realized there’s a real demand for a platform that not only addresses the urgent issues we’re facing but also brings people together to imagine a sustainable future»
«For the second edition, things evolved a lot. We teamed up with the amazing team at Mudac, who took the lead in organizing and curating this edition. We entrusted them with the concept, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. This edition goes deeper, both thematically and in terms of engagement. The curatorial perspective brought in by Mudac gave it a fresh dimension, and we feel that some of the ideas explored here, especially around solar culture and design, are truly revolutionary in how they reframe our relationship with energy and the sun».
You chose Lausanne for the Biennale because the sun behaves differently in different places. How much do you think local solar experience influences the political and social willingness to adopt it on a larger scale?
«Solar energy is a global topic, but its implementation is always local. That’s one of the reasons we chose to hold the Biennale in different countries. These variations influence not just the technical possibilities, but also the cultural, political, and social perceptions of solar energy.
Local experience and accessibility play a big role in shaping people’s willingness to adopt solar on a larger scale. By engaging diverse communities through workshops and programs in different contexts, we aim to make solar energy accessible and relevant. Not just for designers, architects, and artists, but for everyone. Change has to start somewhere, and understanding how solar fits into the unique conditions of each place is key to building a broader, more inclusive solar future».
The title of the exhibition Soleil-s highlights very well, through the use of the plural, the multiplicity of applications of the sun and its energy in design, art, and everyday life. Are these just pioneering projects, or is there any application that already works/could work in everyday life?
«At the exhibition, you’ll find everything from conceptual ideas exploring future possibilities to tangible prototypes like solar reflectors that can bring sunlight into interior spaces, as well as the latest integrations of solar panels for rooftops where the panels are completely invisible. SUNTEX, the solar textile by Pauline, is now being integrated into architectural projects, and the solar-powered lamp Sunne by Marjan is already available on the market.
Some projects are purely meant to raise awareness and encourage new ways of thinking, other projects are still in the testing phase, and many are close to real-world application or already are in use. This mix of speculation, innovation, and practicality is exactly what we want the Solar Biennale to be about. Solar design isn’t just a futuristic idea, it’s becoming an everyday reality».
Three good reasons to visit the Solar Biennale?
«First, you’ll discover a wide range of inspiring projects from speculative concepts to market-ready solar products that show how beautifully solar energy can be integrated into daily life. Second, the exhibition is curated in a way that’s inviting and thought-provoking, encouraging new ways of thinking about energy, design, and sustainability. And third, it’s not just about technology, it’s about culture, aesthetics, and imagination. The Solar Biennale offers a unique space to connect, learn, and envision a solar-powered future together».
Speaking of ‘solar design’ rather than technology: what role do narrative and ‘culture’ play in the education of designers or academics who must now form around these new paradigms?
«Narrative and culture play a crucial role in shifting how we think about and teach solar design. Traditionally, solar energy has been treated as a purely technical topic, think blue panels on rooftops or big solar farms. But solar design invites us to look at it from a completely different perspective. It’s about reimagining how we relate to the sun, to our surroundings, and how we experience solar energy in everyday life. Instead of treating it as something separate or industrial, solar design integrates energy generation into objects, architecture, and materials we already live with, like daily objects, clothes, facades, and even walls.
When solar becomes not only functional but also beautiful and emotionally engaging, it has the potential to become part of our culture, not just our infrastructure. This shift is essential in the education of designers and academics. It encourages them to think beyond function and to use storytelling, aesthetics, and human experience as tools to drive adoption and innovation. That’s the heart of solar design: turning something technical into something people truly want to live with. If we get it right, a home without its energy source will one day feel incomplete, just like a house without running water or electricity in the Netherlands or Italy would today».
If you could design an ideal academic curriculum in solar design (BA or MA), which courses would be essential?
«If we were to design a curriculum in solar design, there probably wouldn’t be a single ideal model. It would need to be flexible, adaptable, and shaped by local context. It would encourage students to bridge technology, design, culture, and systems thinking. Solar energy isn’t just a technical challenge; it’s also, and perhaps even more importantly, a cultural and aesthetic opportunity. That’s why the curriculum should blend technical foundations with creative, interdisciplinary exploration, incorporating storytelling and cultural context. The goal would be to train a new generation of designers and thinkers to rethink how we understand, relate to, and design energy in our daily lives».
