P R O L E A R N
DESIGN THINKING
Design Thinking is a human-centred approach to innovation that draws from the designer's toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.
Key Characteristics
User-Centric: Places end-users at the heart of the problem-solving process.
Iterative Process: Encourages continuous refinement through multiple stages of development.
Collaborative: Involves diverse stakeholders in the ideation and problem-solving process.
Benefits
Enhanced Innovation: Design thinking can lead to more creative and effective solutions.
Improved User Satisfaction: Solutions developed through this process are more likely to meet actual user needs.
Risk Reduction: Early prototyping and testing minimise the chances of costly mistakes.
Challenges and Considerations
Time and Cost: Design thinking can be a time-consuming and expensive process, especially if it involves extensive user research and prototyping.
Resistance to Change: Some stakeholders may resist adopting new approaches to problem-solving.
Balancing Creativity and Practicality: Ensuring innovative ideas are also feasible and implementable.
Innovative Applications
Service Design: Improving customer experiences in various industries.
Product Development: Creating user-friendly and innovative products.
Organisational Change: Addressing complex business challenges and fostering a culture of innovation.
Future Outlook
As technology advances, we can expect to see more integration of AI and data analytics in the design thinking process. This could potentially automate certain stages and provide deeper insights into user behaviour and preferences.
Call to Action:
Evaluate your current problem-solving approaches and consider implementing design thinking methodologies. Start with a small project to test the process and gradually refine it to suit your specific industry and organisational needs.
Opendesk is a London-based company founded by Ian Bennink, Tim Carrigan, James Arthur, Joni Steiner, and Nick Ierodiaconou. Established with the mission to revolutionize the furniture industry, Opendesk connects designers with local manufacturers and customers to produce furniture on-demand, reducing the need for storage facilities, lengthy shipping times, and showrooms. Initially, Opendesk operated under Open Making principles, sharing design files publicly, but has since transitioned to a for-profit model. The company's core values include sustainability, local production, and democratizing design access.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Distributed network of local makers globally.
Note: Strategic locations in various countries to optimize local sourcing and distribution.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using sustainable materials, and promoting local production.
Key innovations: Digital designs for local manufacturing, reducing CO2 emissions by eliminating long-distance shipping, and creating a distributed manufacturing network.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on local materials and production to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: Lean Desk, Johann Bench, and other customizable office furniture.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, customizable designs, reduced environmental impact through local production, and support for independent designers and makers.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing digital manufacturing technologies, developing new sustainable materials, and optimizing circular design processes.
Ambitious goals: To scale circularity in the furniture industry, significantly reduce global waste and carbon emissions, and make high-quality design accessible to a broader audience.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products available through direct purchase on the Opendesk platform.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with conventional alternatives, with significant cost savings in custom designs).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of sustainable and recycled materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through local production and sustainable materials.
Key Takeaway
Opendesk is a pioneering company in the circular economy space, driving significant change in the furniture industry through innovative design and sustainable practices. Their approach sets a benchmark for circularity and sustainability, benefiting both creators and clients.
Explore Further
Opendesk website: https://www.opendesk.cc
Sustainability overview: https://www.opendesk.cc/blog/transitioning-towards-a-circular-economy
Example product: Lean Desk - https://www.opendesk.cc/lean/desk/
Atelier LUMA is a design research program founded in 2016 as part of LUMA Arles in France. The atelier was established with the mission to explore sustainable design solutions through innovative material research and local resources. Atelier LUMA's current approach focuses on integrating circular economy principles into design processes, creating products and systems that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and bioregional design, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: Arles, France.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations in the Arles-Camargue bioregion.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using local and renewable materials, and creating products that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
Key innovations: Development of materials and products using local resources such as salt, sunflowers, algae, and agricultural by-products. Creation of the "Lot 8" project, a large-scale applied research for bioregional architecture.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Strong emphasis on using materials from within a 70-kilometer radius of Arles, supporting local economies and minimizing environmental impact.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: Le Magasin Électrique renovation (incorporating various bio-based materials), salt-based wall cladding for The Tower at LUMA Arles, bioplastic tiles made from algae and invasive plants, and furniture made from rice straw and Arles merino wool.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable material development techniques, exploring new applications for local resources, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products and buildings, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and environmental stewardship globally.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with cultural institutions and businesses.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles and bioregional design).
Material Passport: Detailed use of local and renewable materials in projects, with emphasis on their environmental and cultural significance.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, many projects focus on biodegradability and material reuse.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of local materials and sustainable production methods. Specific carbon metrics not provided.
Key Takeaway
Atelier LUMA transforms the design industry through innovative use of local and renewable materials, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and bioregional innovation in contemporary design.
Explore Further
Atelier LUMA website: https://atelier-luma.org
Carpenters Workshop Gallery was founded in 2006 by Loïc Le Gaillard and Julien Lombrail. The company was established with the mission to blur the boundaries between art and design, showcasing functional sculptures and collectible design pieces. Carpenters Workshop Gallery's current mission focuses on promoting artists who create limited edition works that challenge the traditional definitions of art and design. Core values include innovation, craftsmanship, and artistic expression, with a purpose to redefine the perception of functional art in contemporary culture.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary exhibition/operations locations: London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Note: Strategic global locations to optimize exposure, distribution, and collaboration with international artists and collectors.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: While not explicitly stated, many featured artists work with sustainable materials and upcycling concepts.
Key innovations: Promotion of artists who push the boundaries of materials and production techniques, often incorporating recycled or repurposed elements in their work.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on collaborating with local artisans and workshops, such as their own production facility outside Paris.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship offerings: Limited edition functional art pieces, sculptures, and collectible design objects.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative art-design hybrids that challenge conventional categories. Carpenters Workshop Gallery's pieces are known for their artistic merit, functionality, and ability to blur the lines between art and design.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Supporting artists in exploring new materials, techniques, and concepts that push the boundaries of functional art.
Ambitious goals: To lead the art and design industries in redefining the perception of functional sculptures and collectible design, inspiring a shift towards more sustainable and innovative artistic practices.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Limited edition pieces available through gallery locations and online platform.
Circularity Rating: 3/5 (Some focus on sustainable materials and practices, but not explicitly centered on circular economy principles).
Cost Rating: 5/5 (High-end, collectible pieces with significant artistic and material value).
Material Passport: Detailed information available for each piece, including materials and production techniques.
Designed for Disassembly: Varies by artist and piece.
Carbon Performance: While not explicitly stated, many featured works incorporate sustainable materials and production methods.
Key Takeaway
Carpenters Workshop Gallery transforms the art and design industries through innovative, boundary-pushing functional sculptures and collectible design pieces, setting a benchmark for artistic expression and craftsmanship in contemporary culture.
Explore Further
Carpenters Workshop Gallery website: https://carpentersworkshopgallery.com
Exhibition overview: https://carpentersworkshopgallery.com/exhibitions/
Example artist: Yinka Shomobare CBE
Hufft is a design and fabrication studio founded in Kansas City, Missouri. The company was established with the mission to create meaningful spaces and objects through an authentic approach inspired by people and places. Hufft's current mission focuses on integrating designers and builders to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for architecture, interiors, and objects. Core values include creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship, with a purpose to push the boundaries of design and fabrication.
Location
Headquarters: Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Kansas City, Missouri and Bentonville, Arkansas.
Note: Strategic locations in the Midwest to optimize local sourcing, distribution, and collaboration with industry partners.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: While not explicitly stated, Hufft's projects often incorporate sustainable design strategies and materials.
Key innovations: Integration of design and fabrication processes, allowing for custom solutions and efficient use of materials.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using local materials and production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: Custom architectural projects, interior designs, and fabricated objects.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, bespoke design solutions that prioritize creativity, functionality, and sustainability. Hufft's products are known for their innovative design, attention to detail, and integration of fabrication expertise.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing sustainable design practices, optimizing fabrication processes, and developing new applications for materials in architecture and object design.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design and fabrication industry in innovative practices, create unique and sustainable spaces and objects, and inspire a shift towards more integrated design and production approaches.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Services available through direct engagement with clients for custom projects.
Circularity Rating: 3/5 (Some focus on sustainable practices, but not explicitly centered on circular economy principles).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Custom solutions with a focus on quality and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material information likely available for custom projects, but not standardized across all work.
Designed for Disassembly: Information not available, likely project-dependent.
Carbon Performance: While not explicitly stated, sustainable design strategies are often incorporated into projects.
Key Takeaway
Hufft transforms the design and fabrication industry through innovative, integrated solutions, setting a benchmark for creativity and craftsmanship in modern architecture and object design.
Explore Further
Hufft website: https://www.hufft.com
Project overview: https://www.hufft.com/work/
Example project: Baldwin Pop-up
Sutherlin Santo is a design studio founded by Paul Sutherlin Santo and Garrett Sutherlin Santo, based in Los Angeles, USA. The studio was established with the mission to explore innovative, sustainable materials and design solutions that address environmental challenges. Sutherlin Santo's current mission focuses on developing plant-based biopolymers to replace synthetic plastics and create carbon-capturing materials. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: Los Angeles, USA.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations based on project requirements and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using plant-based materials, and creating products that actively capture carbon and purify air.
Key innovations: Development of Biocraft, a plant-based biopolymer gel that can be 3D printed and used to create carbon-capturing materials. Projects like "BioScales" and "Carbon Stool" showcase innovative applications of this material.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using plant-based materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support circular economy initiatives.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "BioScales" (modular cladding system for air purification), "Carbon Stool" (furniture made entirely from plant-based materials), and "AlgaeClad" (exploring sustainable materials for architectural applications).
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative design solutions that prioritize circularity, carbon capture, and environmental responsibility. Sutherlin Santo's work is known for its ability to create functional, sustainable alternatives to traditional materials.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing biopolymer development, exploring new applications for carbon-capturing materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create carbon-negative products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to material design and usage.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with industry.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles and carbon capture).
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with innovative material development services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of plant-based biopolymers.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed to be biodegradable and compostable.
Carbon Performance: Strong focus on carbon capture and sequestration. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and manufacturing processes.
Key Takeaway
Sutherlin Santo transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles and carbon capture, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material innovation in contemporary design.
Explore Further
Sutherlin Santo website: https://sutherlinsanto.com
S.T.R.S. Studio is a renowned creative production studio based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The company was established with the mission to create custom-made objects for artists and designers, specializing in hand-cast resin production. S.T.R.S. Studio's current mission focuses on combining meticulous craftsmanship with innovative material exploration to produce unique, high-quality objects. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, with a purpose to push the boundaries of material use and production techniques.
Location
Headquarters: Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Note: Strategic location in Rotterdam to leverage local expertise in design and production processes.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using sustainable and innovative materials, and creating products that are fully recyclable.
Key innovations: Expertise in hand-cast resin production, allowing for the creation of unique and intricate objects. The studio continuously experiments with both existing and new materials to elevate the quality and aesthetic of their custom-made objects.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced materials and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: Custom-made objects for artists and designers, including one-off pieces, large editions, small objects, and major installations.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, sustainable production solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. S.T.R.S. Studio's products are known for their intricate details, innovative design, and ability to capture the artistic vision of their clients.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing material exploration and experimentation, optimizing production processes, and developing new applications for hand-cast resin and other materials.
Ambitious goals: To lead the creative production industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to material design.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products available globally through direct collaborations with artists, designers, and galleries.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with conventional alternatives, with significant cost savings in sustainable materials).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of sustainable and innovative materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through sustainable materials and local production. Committed to using the highest percentage of recycled content without compromising on quality and safety.
Key Takeaway
S.T.R.S. Studio transforms the creative production industry through innovative, sustainable solutions, setting a benchmark for circularity and environmental responsibility in modern design and craftsmanship.
Explore Further
S.T.R.S. Studio website: https://www.strs.nl
Overview: https://www.strs.nl/About
Joris Laarman is a Dutch designer, artist, furniture maker, and entrepreneur based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He founded Joris Laarman Lab in 2004 with his partner Anita Star. The studio was established with the mission to explore experimental designs inspired by emerging technologies. Laarman's current approach focuses on blending technology, art, and design, with a particular emphasis on the potential of 3D printing and digital fabrication. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and pushing the boundaries of design and technology, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between design, materials, and the environment.
Location
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various global locations for projects and collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: While not explicitly focused on circular economy, Laarman's work often incorporates principles of material efficiency and innovative production techniques that could contribute to sustainability.
Key innovations: Development of projects like the 3D-printed stainless-steel bridge in Amsterdam, showcasing the potential for creating adaptive, lightweight, and uniquely designed structures using digital fabrication.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on digital fabrication and 3D printing suggests potential for optimized material use and localized production.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: Laarman's portfolio includes innovative projects such as the MX3D Bridge (3D-printed stainless steel bridge in Amsterdam), the Bone Furniture series (using 3D-optimization software for optimal construction), and the Digital Matter series (exploring new possibilities in 3D printing and digital fabrication).
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing digital fabrication techniques, exploring new applications for 3D printing and sustainable materials, and developing solutions that further optimize material use and structural efficiency.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in innovative practices, create novel production methods, and inspire a shift towards more efficient and technologically advanced design approaches.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through collaborations, exhibitions, and partnerships with institutions and businesses.
Circularity Rating: 4/5 (While not explicitly focused on circular economy, many projects incorporate innovative material use and production techniques that could contribute to sustainability).
Key Certifications: Wall Street Journal Innovator of the Year Award (2011), STARTS Prize awarded by the European Commission (2018).
Material Passport: Detailed material exploration and innovation in many projects, often focusing on 3D-printed and digitally fabricated materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Information not explicitly provided, but emphasis on digital fabrication suggests potential for adaptable and reconfigurable designs.
Carbon Performance: Information not explicitly provided, but focus on material efficiency and lightweight structures suggests potential for reduced environmental impact in some projects.
Key Takeaway
Joris Laarman transforms the design industry through innovative, technology-driven solutions that challenge conventional methods, setting a benchmark for exploring the intersection of digital fabrication, art, and design in contemporary practice.
Explore Further
Joris Laarman website: https://www.jorislaarman.com
Project example: MX3D Bridge
The New Raw is a research and design studio founded in 2015 by architects Panos Sakkas and Foteini Setaki. Based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the studio was established with the mission to give new life to discarded materials through design, robots, and craftsmanship. The New Raw's current mission focuses on transforming plastic waste into beautiful and meaningful products that are 100% circular. Core values include innovation, sustainability, and digital craftsmanship, with a purpose to redefine the relationship between waste, design, and environmental responsibility.
Location
Headquarters: Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Various locations for projects and collaborations, including Thessaloniki, Greece.
Note: Strategic location in Rotterdam to leverage local expertise in design and technology and foster international collaborations.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using recycled materials, and creating products that are fully recyclable and sustainable.
Key innovations: Development of robotic 3D printing techniques to transform plastic waste into functional and aesthetic products. Projects like "Print Your City" and the "Zero Waste Lab" exemplify the integration of circular design principles and community engagement.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced plastic waste and sustainable production methods to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship projects: "Print Your City" (transforming city plastic waste into urban furniture), "Zero Waste Lab" (a community recycling initiative in Thessaloniki), and "Pots Plus" (3D-printed street furniture with integrated planters).
Unique value propositions: High-quality, innovative design solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. The New Raw's work is known for its ability to create immersive, community-focused environments that promote sustainability and circular economy principles.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing robotic 3D printing techniques, exploring new applications for recycled plastic materials, and developing solutions that further reduce waste and energy consumption in design and production processes.
Ambitious goals: To lead the design industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products and installations, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative approach to design and environmental stewardship.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Design services and products available through direct collaborations, exhibitions, and select clients.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on integrating circular economy principles in design and production).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with high-end design services, with significant value in sustainability and innovation).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of recycled and recyclable materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products and installations are designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through the use of recycled materials and local production. Committed to minimizing environmental impact through efficient design and production processes.
Key Takeaway
The New Raw transforms the design industry through innovative, sustainable solutions that prioritize circular economy principles, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility and material reuse in contemporary design.
Explore Further
The New Raw website: https://www.thenewraw.org
About: https://thenewraw.org/Studio
Example project: Zero Waste Lab
WikiHouse is an open-source, modular building system developed by Open Systems Lab. The project was initiated in 2011 by a team at Architecture 00, led by Alastair Parvin and Nick Ierodiaconou, in collaboration with Momentum Engineering and Espians. WikiHouse's mission is to democratize the construction process by making it easy for anyone to design, manufacture, and assemble high-performance buildings. Core values include sustainability, innovation, and accessibility, with a purpose to transform the construction industry through digital fabrication and open-source principles.
Location
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Primary manufacturing/operations locations: Distributed network of small, local businesses using CNC machines.
Note: Strategic global presence to optimize local sourcing, distribution, and collaboration with industry partners.
The Circular Vision
Core circular economy principles: Designing out waste, using sustainable and bio-based materials, and creating products that are fully recyclable.
Key innovations: Development of WikiHouse blocks, which are digitally fabricated using CNC machines from plywood or OSB3. The system allows for rapid, precise assembly with minimal waste and environmental impact.
Prioritization of local sourcing and closed-loop supply chains: Emphasis on using locally sourced materials and distributed manufacturing to minimize environmental impact and support local economies.
Pioneering Solutions
Flagship products: WikiHouse Skylark system, which includes modular blocks for walls, floors, and roofs.
Unique value propositions: High-quality, sustainable building solutions that prioritize circularity, material reuse, and environmental responsibility. WikiHouse buildings are known for their precision, ease of assembly, and ability to be constructed by individuals without traditional construction skills.
The Regenerative Future
R&D focus areas: Advancing digital fabrication technologies, optimizing production processes, and developing new applications for modular building systems.
Ambitious goals: To lead the construction industry in sustainable practices, create zero-waste products, and inspire a shift towards a regenerative built environment.
Fact Sheet
Commercial Availability: Products available globally through direct sales and partnerships with local manufacturers.
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Information not available.
Circularity Rating: 5/5 (Strong focus on circular economy principles).
Key Certifications: Information not available.
Cost Rating: 4/5 (Competitive with conventional alternatives, with significant cost savings in sustainable materials).
Material Passport: Detailed material traceability and use of sustainable and bio-based materials.
Designed for Disassembly: Yes, products are designed for easy disassembly and recycling.
Carbon Performance: Focus on reducing carbon footprint through sustainable materials and local production. WikiHouse structures are carbon negative due to the use of responsibly-grown wood.
Key Takeaway
WikiHouse transforms the construction industry through innovative, sustainable modular building systems, setting a benchmark for circularity and environmental responsibility.
Explore Further
WikiHouse website: https://www.wikihouse.cc
Sustainability overview: https://www.wikihouse.cc/mission
Example product: WikiHouse Skylark system - https://www.wikihouse.cc/product