Circular Futures Lab

Projects

About

Research

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Climate Design
Warming Planet
Public Sediment
Emerji
Climate Kit

Materials
Eco Materials Library
Woven Hybrid

Active Mobility
San José Mobility Hub 
Austin Electric Drive
BART Mobility Hub
Solar Pump

San Fernando Mobility Hub
San José, CA


Design Consulting for:
San José Department of Transportation &
Metropolitan Transportation Commission

The Solar Mobility Hub design for San Fernando Street was commissioned through the City of San José Department of Transportation as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Regional Mobility Hub Program. Located between 6th and 7th Streets adjacent to San José State University, the project examines how solar-powered mobility infrastructure can support both transportation and everyday public life.

The proposal centers on a compact, off-grid solar structure designed to power essential mobility hub functions within the public right-of-way, including e-bike charging, pedestrian-scale lighting, USB charging, and real-time transit information. The design also incorporates shaded seating, wayfinding, and parklet elements that support multimodal transit users and strengthen connections between different modes of transportation.

Positioned alongside a bus boarding island and connected to bike share and scooter share services, the hub brings together multiple transportation modes within a small urban footprint. Developed as a pilot project, the Solar Mobility Hub investigates how off-grid solar infrastructure can support mobility services and public amenities without requiring new utility connections, reducing both costs and implementation timelines.

The project emerged through a collaborative design process involving public works staff, transit operators, underground utility teams, neighborhood stakeholders, and city agencies whose input informed the hub's location, programming, and integration into the surrounding streetscape.






























SolarPump Charging Station

Commission


South by Southwest, Austin, TX


Selected Exhibitions


SXSW, Austin, TX, 2010-2015
TEDX Presidio, San Francisco, CA, 2012
Lollapalooza. Chicago, lL, 2011
San Jose ZER01 Biennial, San Jose, CA, 2010
Coachella Arts Festival, Indio, CA, 2010 
Maker Faire Bay Area, San Mateo, CA, 2010
Roskilde Music Festival, Roskilde, Denmark, 2009

The SolarPump Charging Station project is a series of four different solar charging stations, each designed around a vintage 1950’s gas pump. Designed as a free public service and utilied at festivals, urban centers, and college campuses. I was the inventor of the project concept and I designed and toured with it across the US and Denmark from 2009-2016 with the help of South by Southwest and my project collaborator Dallas Swindle. Each station combines a solar canopy, battery bank, and outdoor furniture that have been free for the public.

Awards


Editor’s Choice Blue Ribbon, Bay Area Maker Faire
Best Charge Ahead, San Francisco Bay Guardian
Best Place to Recharge, The Austin Chronicle
SolarPump Charging Station, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
SolarPump Charging Station, Bay Area Maker Faire, San Mateo, CA
SolarPump Charging Station and Urban Oasis, SXSW, Austin, TX
SolarPump Charging Station,
SXSW Music Festival, Austin, TX
Coachella Valley Music Festival, Palm Desert, CA 
SolarPump Charging Station, Austin City Hall, TX

Campus Solar Charging Station, University of Texas at Austin
Campus Solar Charging Station, University of Texas at Austin

© Beth Ferguson, 2026