To celebrate the opening of the travelling exhibition Smater Living: The 2000-Watt Society, swissnex Boston organizes an expo to generate a new understanding of energy efficiency as a key to sustainable development. Everybody is welcome to mingle with local energy experts! Next to the local experts, swissnex Boston is proud to have Dr. Heinrich Gugerli, Head of the Sustainable Building Group in the Building Department, City of Zurich on board to represent the Swiss perspective.

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.

Speakers:

• Welcoming address by Henrietta Davis, Vice Mayor City of Cambridge
  
• Heinrich Gugerli, Head of the Sustainable Building Group in the Building Department, City of Zurich
• Stephanie Horowitz, Principal and Co-Founder at ZeroEnergy Design and Director
• Chin Lin, HMFH Architects 
• Philip Parsons, Sasaki Associates

Meet local experts and learn more about sustainable living. Swiss Style Reception will follow. We are looking forward to having you!

RSVP

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.

Organizer:

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