SBYD.SPACE explores climate-neutral and resource-light ways of living and production. It transfers knowledge from sustainability research into society and the economy through design. The capability of design in making theories and abstract concepts tangible – and transferring them into everyday life – is used to explore, discuss, and test these theories and ideas in practice. Design thus functions as a tool to make the knowledge gained from sustainability research visible and tangible, fostering discourse and aiming at social transformations towards climate neutrality and resource conservation.

SBYD.SPACE pursues an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach that involves different audiences and cooperation partners. Together with the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy (WI), the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), and other partners, SBYD.SPACE develops prototypes, visualisations, and realisable designs for sustainable products, services, and practices. Formats such as workshops, international symposia, and exhibitions are aimed at a broad public. With an experimental approach to contemporary sustainability research and design methods, ideas and theories related to a more climate-neutral and resource-conserving way of life are translated into design projects by the SBYD team and collaborators, as well as the guests hosted through the SBYD artist / designer in residence programme. In addition, entrepreneurial endeavours are supported through start-up initiatives and cooperations with local businesses. It is located at Folkwang University of the Arts’ North Campus at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein, a former coal mine in Germany’s Ruhr region – a location that could not be more symbolic for the transformation of industries, ways of life, and entire regions.

SBYD.SPACE is part of the “Innovative University” funding line and is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Joint Science Conference (GWK).

13. – 14.11. SBYD @ Innovative Citizen Festival

13. – 14.11. SBYD @ Innovative Citizen Festival

Temperature is one of the major issues of our time. The climate crisis, insulation, the Gulf Stream, heating regulations, and heat islands in cities are just a small selection of the terms we read about every day in the media. Temperature differences can have major consequences—not only on a large scale, affecting the climate, but also on a small scale.

The festival program includes events in German and English.

Venues:

Folkwang University of the Arts
SANAA Building
Gelsenkirchener Str. 209
45309 Essen

and

PACT Zollverein
Foyer
Bullmannaue 20a
45327 Essen

Further information

28.11. SBYD @ Trash Day Dortmund

28.11. SBYD @ Trash Day Dortmund

What Can Trash Do?

At EDG Trash Day in Dortmund, people mend, repair, transform, and experiment.

Discover theater performances, workshops, repair services, and creative activities for children, teens, and adults. Stop by and find out what ideas are hidden in things that would otherwise be thrown away.

Funded by the Federal Republic of Germany
Funding agency: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, based on a resolution of the German Bundestag.

Venue:
Dietrich-Keuning-Haus
Leopoldstraße 50-58
44147 Dortmund

Date:
28 November 2026, 11 am – 6 pm

No participation fee.