As part of the research cooperation between the MIT Morningside Academy for Design and HPI, which was launched in 2022, the researchers met this week for two exciting workshop days at HPI. In addition to 28 researchers from HPI, the institute was delighted to welcome 11 participants from MIT who flew in especially for the workshop.
Under the title “Designing for Sustainability”, 12 teams, each consisting of researchers from MIT and HPI, are working on design solutions for sustainability.
These include AI applications in healthcare, how public spaces can be made more attractive and how AI can promote healthy lifestyles.
Professors from both institutes jointly supervise the projects. The workshop, which takes place every six months and alternates between taking place at HPI and MIT, gives them the opportunity to present the current status of their projects and exchange their ideas.
The program was supplemented by a visit to a brewery followed by bowling and a visit to the HPI Maker Universe.
Another highlight of the project was a Q&A panel with the patrons of the research cooperation. Here, John Ochsendorf, Director of the Morningside Academy for Design, and Ralf Herbrich, Managing Director of HPI, once again presented the topic of the research cooperation, “Designing for Sustainability”, in detail and answered questions from the audience.
After all, what does Designing for Sustainability actually mean?
Prof. Ralf Herbrich explained: “It is critically important to focus on sustainability if you want innovative technical ideas to last a generation or longer. Initially you can see computer science wasn't born with the idea of sustaining it. (...) If it's to be there in two hundred years, we have to design in a sustainable way.”
Particularly in view of our dwindling resources, every year it becomes more important to keep the sustainability aspect in mind when innovating.
“We are living on a finite planet in many unsustainable ways right now. And in order to create a more sustainable future for humanity and for all species on the planet we will need creative solutions that can only come about through design,” said John Ochsendorf.
“Design isn't about user interface. It's a certain way of thinking,” Ralf Herbrich explained the design approach. “You design something for an end-use or user in mind. So for me, design is a way of doing research where you start from the end experience you want to create.”
The patrons of the research collaboration are optimistic that MIT and HPI are well on the way to creating a positive impact with their joint projects.
“Through our collaborations we hope we can accelerate a transition to a more sustainable future,” concludes John Ochsendorf.
Further information on the research cooperation between MIT and HPI and details on the current projects can be found at: hpi.de/en/research/academic-partnerships/designing-for-sustainability/
Photo credit: Tobias Rücker
Graphic Recording: Gabriele Heinze
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Last change: 12/09/2024