Atelier Non-Electric

Japan

Yasuyuki Fujimura, an engineer and inventor in Japan, was convinced that the increasing domination of electrical technology was accelerating both stress and environmental destruction. In order to counter this problem, he started The Atelier Non-Electric in 2003, with a later branch in South Korea. Fujimura’s philosophy is based on the idea that “it should be possible to live happily and richly while enjoying a moderate level of comfort and convenience without depending on electricity”. The Atelier serves as a demonstration and teaching site for numerous non-electric appropriate technologies that manifest this philosophy, showing clearly that many of the electrically-powered machines and gadgets that have been foisted on society by industry over the years are either unnecessary or easily replaced by manually-powered alternatives. See the many brilliant non-electric solutions developed by the Atelier for a prosperous energy descent here. For more background in English, see this article on the Japan for Sustainability website.