Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice / Edition 1

by Stuart Walker

Overview

To advance the subject of design one has to engage in the activity of designing. Sustainable by Design offers a compelling and innovative, design-centred approach that explores both the meaning and practice of sustainable design. Walker explores the design process in the context of sustainability, and challenges conventional ways of defining, designing and producing functional objects. He discusses the personal design process, tacit knowledge, ephemeral design, experimental design, and the relationship between intellectual design criteria, physical expression and aesthetic experience. This book will introduce vital concepts to students and will inspire designers by providing a well-articulated basis for understanding the complexity and potential of sustainable design, and extolling the contribution of design to the creation of a more meaningful material culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781844073542
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/01/2006
Edition description:	1
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stuart Walker PhD is Professor of Environmental Design and Associate Dean (Research and International) at the post-graduate Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Canada. He is also Visiting Professor of Sustainable Design at Kingston University, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction * Rethinking Material Culture * Sustainable Development in Context * Design Process and Sustainable Development * Enduring Artefacts and Sustainable Solutions * Reassessing 'Good' Design * Design, Sustainability and the Human Spirit * Fashion and Sustainability * The Application of Theory * Tacit Knowledge in Design * Reframing Design for Sustainability * Time and Design * Creating Objects in a Saturated Culture * Ephemeral Objects for Sustainability * Intellectual and Aesthetic Understandings of Design * Bibliography * Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

'Definitely to be on the booklist of any product design course'
Professor Jack Ingram, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design

'A fascinating book that takes the reader on a journey that is both diverse and full of surprise'
Jonathan Chapman, Senior Lecturer, University of Brighton

'A sensitive, thought-provoking book that explores fresh possibilities.'
Alastair Fuad-Luke, sustainable design facilitator, lecturer, writer and maker

'Sustainable by Design is a key addition to the ... bookshelf'
Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, UCCA

'At once inspiring and informative ... It offers designers, students, and practitioners alike a journey into the heart of design through philosophical questioning of place, time, materiality, self, society, and meaning, without sacrificing the practical concerns regarding the transition from models of consumption to sustainability. The sophistication of the exploration cannot be overstated and should be required reading for students of design. Summing Up: Highly recommended.'
Choice

'With beautiful images to back up his words, Walker tutors, suggests and inspires...this book is a must for students and designers, its thoughtful approach also makes it an interesting read for anyone who's excited by the current shift of play.'
Sally White, Resource, 2008.

'Walker presents an investigation of sustainable desgign that is at once inspiring and informative...The sophistication of the exploration cannot be overstated and should be required reading for students of design.'
L. Farooque, CHOICE

Editorial Reviews

'Definitely to be on the booklist of any product design course' Professor Jack Ingram, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design

'A fascinating book that takes the reader on a journey that is both diverse and full of surprise' Jonathan Chapman, Senior Lecturer, University of Brighton

'A sensitive, thought-provoking book that explores fresh possibilities.' Alastair Fuad-Luke, sustainable design facilitator, lecturer, writer and maker

'Sustainable by Design is a key addition to the ... bookshelf' Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, UCCA

'At once inspiring and informative ... It offers designers, students, and practitioners alike a journey into the heart of design through philosophical questioning of place, time, materiality, self, society, and meaning, without sacrificing the practical concerns regarding the transition from models of consumption to sustainability. The sophistication of the exploration cannot be overstated and should be required reading for students of design. Summing Up: Highly recommended.' Choice

'With beautiful images to back up his words, Walker tutors, suggests and inspires...this book is a must for students and designers, its thoughtful approach also makes it an interesting read for anyone who's excited by the current shift of play.' Sally White, Resource, 2008.

'Walker presents an investigation of sustainable desgign that is at once inspiring and informative...The sophistication of the exploration cannot be overstated and should be required reading for students of design.' L. Farooque, CHOICE

‘This book delves into the mindset and philosophy that should drive sustainable design and not just token gestures in product innovation like 100% recyclable eco efficiency labels, although every little helps. Walker takes you on a journey from the enlightenment period to modern day consumerism and shows how our perception of time, place and aesthetic norms affect our ecosphere. His analysis is deep, insightful and regularly refers to case studies and his own experimentation… Overall this is an inspiring book for design students, academics and professionals. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough and will endeavour to educate myself further on sustainable theory and practice.’ - Alex Kimber

From the Publisher