Stacey Frost interviews Re:construct Winner: Elizabeth Redmond
1. What sparked your interest in participating in a Re:Vision competition?
I learned about Re:Vision about 2 years ago and only now entered one of the competitions. Honestly, I think POWERleap could apply to all of the competition subjects, but reconstruct fit nicely with the work I’m currently doing, so I went ahead and applied!
2.Were you inspired by nature?
POWERleap is inspired by the inherent energy in every object, animate or inanimate. Derived from nature are our simple laws of physics that tell us how things actually work (I’m kind of obsessed with this). The laws of thermodynamics say that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. As a result, the energy we exert through our activity must be dissipating somewhere. POWERleap seeks to intercept this exerted energy and transfer it into a new form of energy- electricity. This electricity is a new for of alternative energy.
On average, 50% of power produced through large scale generation is lost during generation, transmission, and distribution. Made from wasted human energy, POWERleap is a model of efficiency because it produces energy on-site from waste (like photosynthesis).
3.What do you think of the scale of a city block?
Unlike a product or a building, a city block requires great collaboration to complete. It requires the work of designers, architects, urban planners, civil engineers, and more. I think its great!
4.Do you have a background in design?
I received my BFA from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design. During my early years I was interested in multimedia installation art and multifunctionality. I designed garments that could double as shelter, and trunks that could turn into benches. POWERleap began during my 4th year BFA work. The goal of the project was to solve the problem of wasted human kinetic energy. The solution was a flooring system that converted human foot traffic into electricity through the use of piezoelectric technology.
Today I split my time between developing POWERleap and working as a sustainable materials consultant for a young company called Ecolect. I joined Ecolect in Spring 2007 and became a partner this past Fall. With Ecolect we help designers, architects, and engineers perform life cycle analysis, source more sustainable materials, and learn about sustainable design in general.
5.What in your opinion is the next step for developing the design of your winning entry? Different materials? Prototypes?
Currently, I am working to raise a large round of sponsorship to work with industry professionals and develop a more efficient and robust product. This product will initially be custom designed for large-scale hired projects. The installations will be highly interactive products. The goal of these projects will be to educate people about the potential for on-site power generation and excite them about the idea of doing it with their own bodies! The second round of projects will be along the lines of a scalable modular product that allows for more standardized installation.
Among some of the design objectives we are working to improve upon today are power generation efficiency, power storage, infrastructure integration, modularity (technology, circuitry, and design), maintenance, and more.
6.What is the one idea you wish someone would come up with?
I have 2:
Access to healthy food and education on health in every household (whether that be a slum, a street corner or a McMansion) across the globe.
How to have a desk job without having to sit at the desk!
7.Can you see your idea integrating with other ideas from previous competitions, and how?
Absolutely. POWERleap begs for interaction, activity, play, and people. POWERleap can integrate into nearly any project involving public or private space.
8.Which of our Re:Visionaries do you admire most? What would you ask them if you had the opportunity?
Cameron Sinclair because he is a doer! He get things done and he enjoys it. Not only is his work helping people but he is giving professionals an opportunity to make change themselves.
I would ask Cameron how he thinks humans will live in 100 years. He probably will have a very practical answer! Then I would ask him if he wishes or thinks we will ever live off the grid.
