Several ventures with Swarovski are included in the showing, among them a solar car inspired by the innovative engineering employed by the space industry. The vehicle incorporates 1,000 specially cut crystals mounted onto 1,000 polycrystalline photovoltaic panels via 3D printed transparent supports. This design results in two states of crystal in unison, allowing sunlight to be amplified and evenly distributed onto the solar panel, a process that generates electricity and harvests the energy through the car’s upper skin.

 Lovegrove’s ‘Swarovski Generator House’ project will also be open to the public as an exploration of the possibility of viable off-grid lifestyles. At a time where the acceleration of social networking sky rockets, it has become conceivable to encourage larger numbers of people to live outside of cities, using energy independent technologies to reside in  nature while remaining connected to human activity and culture.

Ross Lovegrove comments: “My work with Swarovski has focused on promoting innovation by speculating on the use of crystal in unexpected ways. Crystal has unique properties of refraction and dematerialization that are highly legitimate mediums for the convergence of art and design.”

This is not the first time the designer has partnered with Swarovski, contributing to the Swarovski Crystal Palace project with a reinvention of the chandelier in a modern design language resulting in the ‘Crystal Aerospace’ and ‘Liquid Space’ chandeliers, forging the path for functional beauty.

Convergence is just another example of Swarovski’s long standing emphasis on innovation. Other recent innovations include touch crystals, color changing crystals, and other uses of energy harvesting crystals. It is through these innovations and collaborations that Swarovski is able to break new ground and push forward as a leader in innovation.

Lovegrove’s latest exhibition will take place from April 12 to July 3, 2017 at Centre Pompidou in Paris.