Smokestacks, coal mines and mad inventors are the traditional image of British enterprise. ReDesign, our exhibition exploring environmental sustainability in British industrial design, recycles that image into a positive image for the future.

A recent survey concluded that the majority of the world's most significant inventions originated in Britain. With centuries of knowledge and experience in engineering, Britain is pioneering environmental improvements in the production of goods. Skills in design and architecture are reducing our demand for energy and natural resources. Entrepreneurial spirit is behind services that are replacing many products or 'things' altogether. Gleaming white wind turbines are rising in the place of William Blake's 'dark, satanic mills'.

ReDesign presents some of Britain's most exciting achievements in sustainable design, which are changing lives and business practice at home and around the world. The exhibits range from a revolutionary oil platform to a microscopic gyroscope, from wheelchairs for the third-world to the world's cleanest supermarket. Commissioned by the British Embassy, Oslo for a state visit of HM the Queen in May 2001.

ReDesign was researched by design writer Michael Evamy in consultation with the British Council and designed by Mark Bond and Rebecca Foster. An illustrated catalogue is available.

Read also Beatrice Otto's lecture on design for sustainable business,  Bangkok, Thailand

Project manager Sorrel Hershberg