Free Display on Level 2 Coming September 2025
Future Observatory: Tools for Transition
In this free display, discover four research projects from across the UK that are driving change in housing, healthcare, local planning and resource management. Together, these projects show how design-led research can be translated into practical tools to transition into a greener future.
The green transition is about more than cutting carbon emissions or switching to renewable energy sources. It means making impactful changes to how we build our homes, care for each other, develop our neighbourhoods and manage local resources.
Tools for Transition presents four Green Transition Ecosystem research projects from across the UK that demonstrate how design is driving these changes.
Based in Scotland, Rathlin Island (Northern Ireland), Ynys Môn (North Wales), Bristol and Swansea, these projects show how scalable, design-led research can be translated into practical tools for transitioning to a greener future.
Tools for Transition is curated by Future Observatory, the Design Museum’s national research programme for the green transition. Future Observatory is coordinated by the Design Museum in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
The display involves four Future Observatory commissions, developed through roundtables that brought together designers and researchers to spark creative responses to ongoing research for the green transition. The commissioned designers include Irena Gajic, Rifke Sadleir, Saqqra and Sahra Hersi with Dash & Miller.
Future Observatory curates exhibitions, programmes events and funds and publishes new research, all with the aim of championing new design thinking envisioning the green transition. Future Observatory is coordinated by the Design Museum in partnership with the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council.
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds world-class, independent researchers in a wide range of subjects from history and archaeology to philosophy and languages, design and effectiveness of digital content and the impact of artificial intelligence.
Plan your visit
The display will be open to visitors from September 2025 to August 2026, following the museum's opening hours.
No tickets are required to see our free displays.
Explore more
The biannual online journal platforms new research, new forms of practice and new narratives from designers working towards a liveable future. Exploring design and ecology, the publication features in-depth and interactive essays, case studies, interviews, critical analysis and striking photography from designers and researchers around the world.
Background image: SPIN
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