In Europe oil consumption peaked in 2005. There is a strong push towards renewable energy and this will also affect petrol stations. They will have to develop into charging stations for vehicles powered by gas, electricity and fuel cells and become part of an energy supply system based on smart grids.

Since 1999 the Munich based practice Haack + Höpfner Architekten und Stadtplaner BDA have been working with Allguth, a regional company running petrol stations. The project started as a competition with the brief to find an innovative way of construction which allowed for business growth in the short as well as the long term. The design had to support the brand values and avoid the aesthetic of the ubiquitous industrial shed architecture on fringes of our cities.

The architects proposed a contruction system which is open for future developments and can be adapted to different building sites and local business demands. The system should be based on standards which allow for economic and material efficiencies as well as future growth. At the same time the design should have a positive effect on the visibility of the brand and the company.

Haack + Höpfner . Architekten und Stadtplaner  BDA won the competition and their design integrates  the use of natural light and natural ventilation, modular layouts, energy efficient building automation, standardised construction elements, change of use and re-use of the building as well as recycling and sorting of (so called waste) materials. Another key aspect was the integration of the buildings into the urban environment allowing for plants and green spaces.

The modularity of the system and the high standards of design allow for appreciation by the users, low maintenance costs, easy upgrading and longevity. The introduction of renewable energies will demand more flexible and adaptable quiet design solutions like this.

 © M.HAUS 2009, all right reserved

Maybe we should talk about style rather than fashion. Your style will reflect your personal story. Style is about being inventive, innovative, independent and creative. You might love a garment for a long part of your life and it might grow and change with you. Quality, longevity and adjustability become far more important.

Fashion dictates, style allows you to re-invent, re-create and repair. Style is more creative, more satisfying and more responsible. Style builds on ideas and does not discard them. Swap the buttons and suddenly this five year old coat it super cool. You created your own coat, your own design and story.

If you need a car, a well maintained old car is much greener than a new car. Most of the energy a car uses in its lifecycle is embedded in the materials and the manufacturing processes. The quality of most cars is very good. Why not look after it for a long time?

High quality furniture can last you a live time as many of the design classics have proven over the years. Pieces can be repaired and well designed products sit well with a new colour on the walls or a new blanket you have found for your sofa.

Style allows for searching out, swapping, bartering, inventing, making, changing, producing, showing – all rewarding and creative skills.

Suddenly fashion seems rather old fashion.

M.HAUS 2010

For many drivers, tyres have remained objects of mystery and purchasing decisions can be arbitrary or given over to the dealer. Most of us would not ask for their energy efficiency performance or know how to find the information. On 25 November this year, the European Parliament formally adopted a labelling system, which will make this information easily accessible to consumers.

The information design for this labelling system was done by Applied Information Group (AIG) in London and Mostra managed the project.

The labels build on the iconic and well known energy scale used on EU labels for domestic appliances. AIG has developed three pictograms for the information system, components of which are based on international standards for symbols, and subsequently tested options with would be users. The designers gave consideration to the pictograms’ representation at small sizes and at low resolution, for future multi-channel applications.

The design enables drivers to compare tyres in terms of economy, safety and traffic noise. The information design developed by AIG communicates these concepts and values across all the languages and cultural barriers of Europe. It allows the consumer make well informed choices and purchasing decisions.

However, to achieve a reduction of 40% of CO2 emissions by 2020 a country like Germany will have to reduce its emissions from transport by 15 million tonnes per annum. Technical innovations and higher energy efficiency will help to achieve these goals. If, however, 5% of all car journeys were done by public transport and 30% of all car journeys shorter than 5km were done by bicycle, 3 to 4 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved each year.

 M.HAUS 2009