On 11th September we attended the launch of the Tools for Transition exhibition at the Design Museum in London. The free-to-view display (curated by the Future Observatory) will run until August 2026 and showcases the Transforming Homes project, of which ASBP is a project partner, alongside three other Green Transition Ecosystem research projects from across the UK funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
The projects (based in Scotland, Northern Ireland, North Wales, Bristol and Swansea) are driving change in housing, healthcare, local planning and resource management, and show how scalable, design-led research can be translated into practical tools for transitioning to a greener future.
The display is divided into 4 sections:
- Design HOPES
The display begins in Scotland’s hospitals, exploring ways in which the NHS can reduce its environmental footprint. From circular waste systems to new digital services and toolkits, researchers are designing scalable interventions to transform the UK’s healthcare services. - Future Island-Island
The second section focuses on Rathlin island and its efforts to safeguard its community’s future. Drawing on local knowledge and expertise, researchers are advancing circular approaches to waste – helping the island build resilience and self-sufficiency. - Transforming Homes
The third section focuses on Transforming Homes which focusses on nine council-built houses in Bristol and Swansea – each of which is undergoing a major transformation. Incorporating bio-based materials, harnessing renewable energy and designing more liveable spaces, researchers are testing ways to future-proof our homes and address the UK’s housing crisis. - Public Map Platform
The display ends in Ynys Môn where the processes for planning and development decisions are being rethought. By engaging with young people and gathering different types of data – environmental, social and cultural – researchers are developing a new kind of map which prioritises the cares and concerns of future generations.
Find out more at https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/future-observatory-tools-for-transition.