“Energy Revolution”: what the future of construction is telling us from the Science Museum in London

The exhibition “Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery” at the Science Museum in London poses a direct and urgent question: what will the energy transition we need look like? And, above all, what role will construction play in that change?

At RedVerde we have argued for years that there is no energy transition without a transformation in materials and in the way we design our buildings. That is why this exhibition is especially significant: it brings together emerging technologies, natural materials and passive systems that invite us to rethink how we build and inhabit.

Building with judgement: less carbon, more ingenuity

One of the most powerful areas of the exhibition focuses on the decarbonization of buildings. As it recalls, the construction sector is responsible for a large percentage of global emissions, not only because of the energy use of buildings, but also because of the environmental impact of the materials we use.

Among the most notable solutions are:

• HyBrick, the first brick fired with 100% green hydrogen. This innovation cuts emissions by more than 60% compared with the traditional natural-gas process, without compromising product quality.
  
• Cross-laminated timber (CLT), low-carbon structural materials formed from timber boards glued at right angles. Beyond its strength, it stands out for its capacity to store carbon for decades and for its low energy transport cost, since it is far lighter than materials such as concrete or steel.
  
• Natural insulation materials, such as hemp fibre, wood fibre, straw or cork, which offer exceptional thermal properties and are biodegradable. In transparent display cases, you can see the diversity of these materials and their direct application in contemporary building solutions.
  
• Thermo-reflective paints, which act as “sunscreen” for buildings. These paints contain titanium dioxide and other pigments that reflect infrared radiation, lowering the indoor temperature without resorting to mechanical air conditioning.
  

Passive technology with traditional roots

Not everything innovative is new. The exhibition also revives passive solutions and vernacular designs that already demonstrated efficiency before the term “energy efficiency” existed:

• The high-backed chair of the Orkney Islands, a traditional piece with an enveloping back that helped retain individual warmth by the fire, without having to heat the whole room. A perfect example of how design can focus on people, not just on space.
  
• Passive-cooling facades such as those developed by the CoolAnt studio in Delhi, which reproduce age-old techniques of evaporative cooling and shade, adapted with modern materials. These external skins make it possible to lower a building’s temperature without energy consumption.
  
•  Dover Sun House (1948), an experimental house heated solely by solar energy through thermal panels and a salt-based storage solution. Its pioneering design proved more than 70 years ago that solar houses were possible. Today its legacy still inspires.
  

The building as a living system

The exhibition proposes an integrated approach: the building not as a static structure, but as a living organism, in constant dialogue with the climate, light, shade and energy. Among the solutions that exemplify this vision are:

•  Photovoltaic solar panels integrated into the roof.
  
•  Movable solar shading and vegetation that regulate temperature.
  
•  Double or triple glazing to reduce energy losses.
  
•  Cross ventilation, heat recovery and thermal storage to maintain comfort without resorting to air conditioning or heating.
  

In addition, the focus is placed on the fact that innovation does not have to be complex or expensive. In fact, many of the most efficient solutions are accessible, replicable and adaptable to different climate zones and economic contexts.

Conclusion: the sustainable is already here

“Energy Revolution” is not a futuristic exhibition: it is a call to the present. A demonstration that we already have the tools we need to turn the construction sector into a driver of positive climate change.

What this exhibition shows is that the solutions already exist. They lie in cutting-edge technology, yes; but also in traditional wisdom, in natural materials, and in the everyday decisions we make when we build, renovate or decorate a space. At RedVerde we are committed to this hybrid model: technology + tradition. Innovation + coherence, respecting the environment and those who inhabit the buildings.

We see it every day: both in the materials we distribute and in the bioconstruction projects we support. The combination of healthy materials, passive design and environmentally respectful techniques is not a utopia, it is a reality within reach of those who want to do things differently.

Want to know how to apply these solutions to your project? Write to us. The future is built today, and it can be as beautiful as it is efficient.