Transsolar World Academy
In 2020, We changed our name to Transsolar World Academy and reversed the program. After hosting the program in Stuttgart seven times – see Transsolar Academy 2013-2021 – we now started reaching out in order to build new relationships, and thus expand our network to the "world". Why? Because we want to contribute and unlock the knowledge for ourselves and others to transform the construction industry into a sustainable one. The urgency to act is increasing. So, by collaborating with teaching institutions and companies across the world we hope to strengthen a world-wide network connecting ideas to maximize impact. Collectively, we can make a difference and tackle climate change.
Transsolar India Lab: What does sustainability look like in the majority world?
We open a new chapter of the Transsolar World Academy: The Transsolar India Lab.
The Transsolar India Lab is a space of exploration, research and development for Transsolar in India. We use this space not only to share our work with the outside world but also educate ourselves about pertinent topics related to climate change and sustainable construction in the majority world. The goal of TS India Lab is to provide a running laboratory to ask small questions which eventually lead us to bigger questions that we seek answers to: How can our work be relevant in other parts of the world ? Can these places potentially offer a new market for future Transsolar? What are the challenges these regions face and how can we best learn and innovate here? How is our climate responsive knowledge relevant in cultures that we are not familiar with? How do we approach people involved if we want to build successful and sustainable relationships?
Initiated by Aarti Dhingra who is leading the Transsolar World Academy, the TS India Lab was kicked off on our Spring Project Day 2024 with a guest lecture by the renowned Indian architect Ashok B. Lall. The Cambridge (U.K.) alumni established his architectural firm in 1981 and is committed to an architectural practice based on the principles of environmental sustainability and social responsibility. He believes that architectural practice today must address not only in India social inequity, cultural subversion and environmental impact. Mr. Lall is engaged in architectural education since 1990. Over the last decade, he has conducted and supported research toward Low-carbon Futures for Urbanisation in India. See Ashok B Lall Architects >
The Transsolar World Academy continues 2024 with a research seminar on climate-friendly design in India. Our Academy, coordinated by Aarti Dhingra , has proposed a joint research seminar for fourth-year bachelor students and their supervisors at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (SPA) , in collaboration with Dr. Chitrarekha Kabre. This project is part of a two year long memorandum of understanding between Transsolar and SPA Delhi to foster exchange in the field of sustainable construction and planning in the majority world.
The aim is to provide guidance and support to approximately 30 students in developing robust research on climate-friendly design, identifying and formulating questions related to the challenges and opportunities of climate-friendly design in India from mid-August to mid-December 2024. Our expertise will promote understanding of the practical application of sustainable design principles.
Weekly online sessions are planned throughout the semester, along with a visit from three Transsolar staff on-site. Junior professionals from Transsolar will mentor the students, supporting them in exploring and refining their research topics and focusing on key aspects of climate-friendly design such as passive cooling techniques, energy efficiency, or sustainable materials.
In review sessions, additional guidance will be provided by senior Transsolar staff, addressing complex issues and sharing their knowledge and experience. SPA will ensure student participation and provide infrastructure (laptops, microphones, meeting rooms, etc.) for conducting online sessions.
The expected outcomes include the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students to address well-defined research topics that aim at sustainable design practices in Indian climate conditions based on the principles of climate-friendly design.
We look forward to the collaboration and knowledge exchange, which will also benefit Transsolar.
Stay tuned. We will publish further activities. For getting in touch to explore opportunities of collaboration, please write to dhingra@transsolar.com.