Civic Grid explores the movement toward electrification and clean energy, asking how these technologies will shape the fabric of urban life as they become embedded in our cities. Beyond the technical challenges of energy storage, this project focuses on the cultural dimension, how acceptance, design, and visibility influence adoption.
By reimagining batteries as civic infrastructure, Civic Grid highlights the role of energy in daily life and frames access to power as a basic human right, comparable to water fountains or public lighting. The project demonstrates how energy systems can be integrated into public space in ways that not only support clean power, but also improve the quality, resilience, and inclusivity of urban living.
Civic Grid - Max Fine, Jack Self, Josh Harskamp
Founder and CEO of Civic Grid, Max is a Canadian industrial designer, and energy-transition entrepreneur. His practice focuses on the integration of energy infrastructure within communities.
Head of Design at Civic Grid, Jack is a British architect and strategist. He curated the British Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale and founded Real Review Magazine. As a strategist, he spent several years working with Virgil Abloh. His other clients include Balenciaga, Prada, Deloitte, JP Morgan and Nike. He has collaborated with Olafur Eliasson, Junya Watanabe and interviewed Pope Francis. Jack also holds degrees in philosophy and macroeconomics.
Head of Product Management, Josh Harskamp is a Canadian architect, urban designer, and educator focused on public realm projects and sustainable urbanism. He is the Manager of Design at The Bentway Conservancy in Toronto and a part-time professor at Sheridan College.