Dr. Mariana Amatullo is a tremendous advocate of the role design plays as a driver of societal innovation— as evidenced by her ongoing work and dedication as a design researcher, practitioner-scholar, strategist, educator, and author. Mariana is an Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at The New School at Parsons School of Design. She is the […]
If you want to work more sustainably, more ethically, you need to argue for it. Kristin Støren Wigum is an industrial designer and researcher with a Ph.D. in Product and System Design for Sustainability. She’s also the owner of Gaia Trondheim—a small firm that’s part of a collective of eco-architects called Gaia Architetcs. In her […]
“The inherent value of free nature must be embodied in any design process, accompanied by respect for human rights.” In 1966, Nils Faarlund made the dramatic decision to walk away from his engineering career to become a mountain guide and dedicate himself fully to nature. Today, his contributions are the stuff of legends. A relentless […]
Forward-thinking isn’t just a necessary ingredient in creating positive change, it’s also the name of a powerful meet up hosted by DOGA, Design and Architecture Norway every year that brings designers, industry leaders and sustainability visionaries together for a day of inspiration, forward talking and dialogue around increasing the role of sustainability in design, strategy and […]
Maker: Julian Melchiorri Challenge: Given all the time we spend indoors on a daily basis, maintaining good indoor air quality at home, work, and school is highly important. Solution: Exhale is the world’s first living Bionic Chandelier, containing living micro algae in each of its leaf modules. Results: When exposed to light, each of the microalgae-containing […]
This video, by Autodesk Sustainability Workshop, provides a six minute introduction to Life Cycle Thinking as it relates to whole systems design. It explores how opportunities for saving resources, like materials and energy, can often be uncovered early in the design process, by identifying the right problems to solve before engineering begins. Learn more: https://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/products/whole-systems-and-lifecycle-thinking […]
Maker: Fairphone Challenge: The average smartphone contains materials that are obtained through unsustainable and hazardous mining practices. Including dangerous working conditions, the utilization of child labor, and the degradation and pollution of the environment. Solution: A phone made from conflict-free minerals and recycled materials that is modular, open, and easy to repair; and improves the supply chain […]