The first step to sustainable design is to consider a product, service or system in relation to eco-design and analyse its impact using life cycle analysis. The designer then develops these to minimize environmental impacts identified from this analysis. Considering sustainability from the beginning of the process is essential.
Datschefski’s five principles of sustainable design equip the designer with a tool not only to design new products, but also to evaluate an existing product. This can lead to new design opportunities and increase the level at which a product aligns with these principles.
Green design versus sustainable design
Green design: is designing in a way that takes account of the environmental impact of the product throughout its life
Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of social, economic, and ecological sustainability. (Wikipedia)
| Green Design | Sustainable Design |
| Products that have little or no affect on the environment. | Deals with TBL sustainability, economic, environmental & Social |
| Cradle to the grave approach | Cradle to cradle approach |
| Shorter (than sustainable design) therefore easier and cheaper to address environmental concerns in products. | Longer timescale which can affect the R & D stage (system wide research needed) of the design process increases costs therefore may not be feasible. |
| Incremental idea generating techniques are feasible as possibly only small changes need to be made. | Idea generating techniques are more radical to re-think (over-haul/redesign) the nature of the product and ho it works |
Datschefski’s five principles of sustainable design
Students need to develop an understanding of Datschefski’s five principles of sustainable design (The Total Beauty of Sustainable Products, 2001). The five principles are a holistic approach to sustainable design but only selected principles will be possible/applicable to some products.
- Cyclic – The product could not only be made from recyclable materials but is also compostable, of organic materials or from minerals that are recycled in a continuous loop such as bio plastics.
- Solar – The energy (both embedded and in use) the product requires comes form only renewable energy sources that is cyclic and safe.
- Safe – By-products products of the that are emitted into the environment (air, land & water) and ’space’ are non-hazardous, i.e. non polluting. The by-products are “food” for other systems. Hydrogen fuel celled cars’ by-prodouct when in use is H2O.
- Efficient – Requiring 90% less energy, materials and water than equivalent products in 1990.
- Social – The products manufacture and usage should underpin basic human rights, safe work practises, fair trade principles and natural justice.
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International-mindedness
The application of Datschefski’s social principle of sustainable design can have different effects across different countries.
Theory of knowledge
Datschefski developed his five principles of sustainable design to help designers structure their approach and thoughts. In what ways and areas would the absence of experts most severely limit our knowledge?