What’s in a Grid? Off-the-Grid/on the Micro-Grid

This studio will look at some of the ideas—environmental, ethical, etc.—that inspire various groups and individuals to opt out of mainstream grids. Along the way, we will ask ourselves, ‘What are the grids that we do use?’ Transportation? Power? Communication? We will build prototypes for a few of the more accessible ‘off-the-grid’ technologies, including model wind-turbines, composting toilets..maybe a Ham Radio? What would an ‘off-the-grid’ Internet look like? Can we make decisions about when and where we participate in mainstream grid systems or just go our own way?



In this iteration of the studio, we will also invite our School Head Saeed to share his experience of going back to Syria post the overthrow of dictatorship. Essentially the school in his village is 'Off the grid', and struggles with basic access to electricity, heat and hygiene. We will want to explore how NuVu students can contribute to the 'blueprint' being made in Syria to rebuild schools with resiliency and keeping in mind the redefined purpose of education: To build and rebuild society