Watch Design: e2

Design: e2 is a documentary television series produced by PBS that examines the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability. Each episode focuses on a different theme or issue related to the built environment and features interviews with experts, innovators, and thought leaders from a variety of fields.

The series embraces a multidisciplinary approach to design, exploring how architects, engineers, scientists, artists, and activists can work together to create more sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities. It highlights the role of design in shaping our world and provokes viewers to consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of their own choices and actions.

The show's title stems from the equation "E=mc²", which represents the conversion of mass into energy. This concept serves as a metaphor for the show's overarching goal of transforming the way we think about and approach design, energy, and sustainability. It challenges viewers to rethink the conventional models of production and consumption that drive our economy and encourages us to adopt a more holistic and regenerative approach to design.

Some of the topics explored in Design: e2 include green building design, transportation, water management, waste reduction, renewable energy, and social justice. Each episode features case studies of innovative projects and initiatives from around the world that demonstrate how sustainable design can be integrated into everyday life.

For example, one episode focuses on green schools and how architects and educators are working together to create healthier and more sustainable learning environments for students. It highlights the benefits of using natural light, passive heating and cooling systems, and renewable energy sources to reduce the carbon footprint of schools and improve student performance and well-being.

Another episode explores the transportation challenges facing cities around the world and how urban planners and designers are responding with innovative solutions. It looks at the growth of bike-sharing programs, the development of sustainable public transport systems, and the use of urban design strategies to create more livable and walkable cities.

Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to a diverse range of individuals and organizations that are working to create a more sustainable future. These include architects like William McDonough and Bjarke Ingels, environmental activists like Vandana Shiva and Paul Hawken, and scientists like Amory Lovins and Janine Benyus.

Design: e2 is visually stunning, with high-quality cinematography and beautiful, on-location shots of some of the world's most innovative and sustainable buildings, landscapes, and infrastructure. It is also informative and thought-provoking, presenting complex ideas in a way that is accessible and engaging for a general audience.

Overall, Design: e2 is an excellent resource for anyone interested in design, sustainability, or social and environmental justice. It offers a compelling vision of a world in which design is used as a tool for positive change and encourages viewers to take action in their own communities to create a more sustainable and equitable future.