The winners of the Braiding the Future’ workshop design the future of Eni’s installation at the Italian Pavilion at Expo Dubai

San Donato Milanese (Milan), 8 June 2021 – Eni and the Maker Faire Rome (MFR) - The European Edition, in partnership with Carlo Ratto Associati and the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), announce the winner of the innovative workshop “Braiding the Future,” the initiative opened to the students of the institute aimed at finding potential, original ideas for the recycling of Eni’s installation at Expo 2020 Dubai, Italian Pavilion.

The selected idea, which will be digitally displayed at the Italian Pavillon, in the area dedicated to Eni, has been named Wastology. It is an object that allows the repurposing of organic waste by composting it in your own kitchen. The compost is used, in the upper part of the structure, to nourish the plants, which grow thanks to the support offered by the PVC sections obtained from the lianas, the "main feature" of the installation. Wastology fully reflects the idea of "circularity" that was proposed as a challenge to the workshop participants.

The installation of Eni, which is one of the “Platinum Sponsor” of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, represents its commitment towards a sustainable energy transition. Created by the innovation and design studio CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and Italo Rota, it artistically recreates a microalgae cultivation by using a cascade of technological liana vines, up to 20 meters long. Through each of the LED-lit lianas flow the microalgae: the see-through circuit therefore becomes a spectacular exhibition of microalgae biologic process and growth in the photobioreactor where, fed by CO₂, these unicellular organisms produce high-value nutritional compounds and more.

The workshop involved 4 teams from the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI). The jury, made by industry partners, as well as the installation’s authors, assessed their proposals on 5 indicators: originality, potential impact, feasibility, prototype, and communication impact.

The participating teams will have the opportunity to maximise the visibility of their works, leveraging on a wide range of communication opportunities throughout the year, for example during the Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition 2021, scheduled from October 8 to 10.  

Expo 2020 Dubai will take place from the 1^st of October 2021 until the 31^st of March 2022. The message “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future“ highlights how much humanity can accomplish when people work together to solve common challenges. Italy will take part in the event with the Italy Pavillion under the concept “Beauty Connects People,” linked to the Expo 2020 message.

Eni’s commitment towards the energy transition takes shape by focusing on technological innovation to find new solutions for the lowest carbon impact in energy production. Thanks to the collaboration with over 70 Universities and Research Centres globally, Eni is developing new technologies for decarbonisation, renewable energies and circular economy, all of which will be illustrated in the Eni area at Expo 2020.

Maker Faire Rome - The European Edition 2021 will also strengthen further its commitment to sustainability as a lever of development and growth. Since its first edition, the event has strongly promoted the value of design and creativity for the transformation of society and has supported the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030, which also inspire its activities as a platform for digital transformation and training for citizens and businesses.