Energy visualization for Aalto Metro station

We have developed a concept visualizing energy production and consumption for the new Aalto University Metro Centre in Helsinki, as a part of the Values in Design course.

Our initial goal was to change behavior, in other words, make the main users of the building consume less energy. However, after our initial research, stakeholder mapping, identifying key values, and value conflicts, we discovered that most consumption of the metro center comes from places where a little change in users’ behavior would not affect the overall consumption. So we moved from changing behavior to raising awareness, but also inform users in an efficient way, create a long-term solution, build a unique identity to Aalto University Metro center, have transparency in the information provided, and communicate in an easy and fun manner.

So we did the next logical thing and gave the Metro building a personality. Its special features are a palette of different mood states and a pure joy in telling others about them. The area at the main entrance is light up in a specific color, and the projection on the wall is explaining what that each color means.

For example: On a sunny morning in November in Helsinki, the building would have high production and low consumption compared to the estimate. That would make the building feel Optimistic, and the area would be lit up in yellow color. The projection on the wall would invite you to come closer, explain the color yellow and the correlating mood, and in the last message tell you about why is it feeling like that in relation to energy resources and provide some constant changing context, to make interaction interesting for a long time to come.

With the huge variety of moods, colors, and messages we hope to keep this project light and interesting, while explaining energy consumption and production on a very personal level.

This project won the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Campus Competition in 2016.

The team: Yuri Fukamati, Gaspar Mostafa, Anna Pyyluoma, Sara Mlakar

Mentor: Prof. Sampsa Hyysalo