Living furniture: Exploring sustainable solutions through furniture design

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION How can the development and application of a design framework support the design and production of sustainable furniture in a New Zealand context?

ABSTRACT This exegesis researches and compares the different sustainable methods and strategies in the context of furniture design in New Zealand. The benefits of sustainable solutions are well known, however, when it comes to designing meaningful products there is not one set guideline to mimic for maximum sustainable efficiency. I sought to further understand sustainable principles in the aspect of furniture design, to create meaningful products influenced by researching different sustainable strategies such as Emotional Durable Design, Cradle to Cradle and Design for Disassembly. I set about analyzing different designers’ methods and philosophies to grasp a stronger understanding and insight, and incorporate my own background, beliefs, and environment to develop my own family of artefacts with my new found aesthetic and mindset to sustainable design, producing a physical body of work with more meaning and purpose. When I put into practice the principles and guidelines of sustainability whilst forming the design of my furniture range, they, in effect, changed and shaped the ultimate form the pieces would finally take.