Here’s a thought: given the changing nature of transport and a growing trend towards electric vehicles, how might our city-scapes evolve? Drivers behind the wheel of an EV car currently need at least 20minutes to charge their vehicle. What kind of experience does today’s typical EV charging station offer the driver? And, as more and more EV cars come into the market, what does this mean for the future of the common petrol station?
As designers, these are the kinds of questions we’re interested in at Chow
It’s this future planning that excites us, that encourages us to push the boundaries of design and, more recently, has resulted in the purchase of Chow
The newest vehicle in the Chow
Chow
But how does this look in practice here in New Zealand? And where does that
“How people move between spaces and how that movement is changing is something we, as designers, need to be aware of,” says Jane. “And the switch to electric vehicles poses another factor we need to consider: why are people moving the way they are?”
It would seem that for the majority of us, transportation is about convenience (and necessity). Hop in the car and drive from A to B. But how does the growing trend of sustainability, choosing eco-friendly options where possible and looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint now shape that?
Are people choosing sustainable options over convenient ones? As designers, what role do we play in helping to encourage sustainable considerations? And how can we shape the transportation landscape to achieve convenience sustainably?
At Chow
An example of this is taking a first principles approach to sustainability where possible. “We enjoy working with an environment, rather than pushing against it and we endeavour to work with consultants to support this approach,” explains Jane. “For example, we’re currently doing a large number of refurbishments. Instead of knocking buildings down, we’re working with a client to help
We are also aware that the approach taken to address the changing nature of transport and the growing autonomy of technology in our lives needs to be a holistic one. What do these sustainable choices look like for consumers, for us as designers, for future cityscapes? How will sustainability shape the design of our cities, our workplaces and our homes?
“When we talk about sustainability at Chow
Do those conversations take place at EV charging stations? Time and design will tell.
What sustainability conversations are you having in your workplace? We‘d love to hear about them, either below or over coffee – in a keep cup of course!