Abstract
Since the 1960s, designers and researchers influenced by thinkers such as Buckminster Fuller and Victor Papanek have questioned the environmental impact of design and emphasized the responsibility of designers in shaping the constructed environment. Building on this legacy, this paper presents findings from interviews with six experienced professional designers working across product, furniture, and exhibition design. The objective is to examine how these practitioners integrate sustainable and circular economy principles into their work, and to identify the factors that support or hinder this integration within contemporary design practice. The study explores key questions: How do sustainable development principles influence design decisions? What barriers limit the adoption of circular strategies? What incentives or structural conditions could better support environmentally responsible practices? How do criteria such as materials, manufacturing, installation, and transportation shape outcomes? And to what extent can designers guide clients toward more sustainable approaches to the constructed environment? The perspectives gathered reveal recurring themes: designing for durability, prioritizing local production, strengthening governmental support, fostering collaboration across stakeholders, and improving environmental impact assessment tools. One participant emerges as a strong advocate for ethical and sustainable design. Overall, the study underscores the need for systemic changes to advance environmentally responsible practices within the constructed environment. By identifying both obstacles and effective strategies, it contributes to ongoing discussions on sustainable design and the circular economy, offering insights for practitioners, educators, and policymakers committed to fostering ethical, resilient, and ecologically sound approaches in the field.
Presenters
Martin RacineProfessor, Design and Computation Arts, Concordia University, Quebec, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Sustainable Design, Circular Economy, Design Practices, Durability, Life-cycle assessment
