CIRCULARITY

When it comes to making conscious choices, contributing to a circular economy is at the forefront of expected practise. Put simply, a circular economy is based on the idea of reusing and regenerating materials, returning all product to the point of its source. Minimising waste and maximising sustainability.

Amongst many more, here are four key ways to benchmark the design process when it comes to contributing to a circular economy, written in collaboration with Olivia Aspinall of Do Not Go Gentle.

noun [ u ] /ˌsɜː.kjəˈlær.ə.ti/

1. The fact of constantly returning to the same point or situation.

Longevity translates to a long duration of life and designing with longevity in minds looks to extend the useful durability of a product. This means something can hold a purpose for a maximum amount of time, avoiding the need to be replaced. Considering this within retail design, there must always be a plan for the end of life of product.

The rise of experiential retail has led to an increase in temporary retail structures such as pop-up shops. When knowing ahead of time that the foundations of a retail space are only to be used for a short amount of time it is crucial that temporality is considered at the design stage. Whether this be designing with biomaterials that can compost or designing with disassembly and repurposing in mind, always ensure the design blueprints consider contributing back to a circular economy.

As mentioned previously, designing for disassembly is a way to work around the temporary life span of product and materials. Designing for disassembly means to design with the goal to take a product apart for repurpose. Factors to consider include ensuring the product can be easily taken apart without damage and how properties of the product can be packaged for storage or future transportation.

Every big design idea should begin with a plan for re-using, re-purposing, and repairing. All product and material used should aim to fall into one of the three R’s minimising the overall waste of a project.

This was created in collaboration with Olivia Aspinall of Do Not Go Gentle, a sustainability consultancy for creative studios, designers, architects, and brands.