The Smarter Living: The 2,000-Watt Society exhibition shows how the requirements of the 2,000-watt society can be combined with outstanding architecture. It uses 18 examples to illustrate different approaches to sustainable architecture such as complex technical solutions and clever references to traditional construction methods, small buildings and very large projects, conversions and new city districts. The contributing architects include: agps architecture (Zurich and Los Angeles), EM2N (Zurich), pool architects (Zurich), Bearth Deplazes (Chur), and Peter Zumthor (Haldenstein).

The exhibition received the „Best of Show“ special prize and gold in the „Signs and Displays“ category at the 2009 European Design Awards.

The exhibition, which was shown for the first time in Zurich in November 2009, presents the state of affairs in sustainable construction and demonstrates the diverse range of possible solutions. It is intended to give architects, investors and contractors the courage and desire to continue on this path and to invite them to accept the vision of the 2,000-watt society as a challenge for architecture and design.

Why a 2,000-Watt Society?
A person needs 17,500 kilowatt-hours a year on global average, corresponding to a continuous requirement of 2,000 watts. In Switzerland, the figure is three times higher, i.e., 6,000 watts per person, and in the U.S. the figure is currently approximately 6 times higher. People in some Asian and African countries only need fractions of that on average. The vision of a 2,000-watt society enables a balance between industrialized and developing countries, thus making it possible for all people to enjoy a good standard of living.

Is a 2,000-Watt Society Feasible?
The 2,000-watt society is embodied in the City of Zurich’s constitution as a guiding concept and mandate. The objective of this vision is that we handle our planet's limited resources with greater care and no longer live at the expense of future generations. The path toward the 2,000-watt society will affect many aspects of life. Today, buildings account for over 40 percent of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. That must change dramatically.What we plan today must still be in place fifty years from now.
The exhibition presents the state of affairs in sustainable construction and demonstrates the diverse range of possible solutions. It is intended to give architects, investors and contractors the courage and desire to continue on this path and to invite them to accept the vision of the 2,000-watt society as a challenge for architecture and design.

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