3equals1 Design’s Post

Back in the 1980's we thought learning about the risks of industrial development was the key to corrective policy. Then we thought green growth, and sustainability. Decarbonisation, ESG, SDG, H2, CCS, EVs... Now, if we are honest, all the things we thought were solutions have turned out to be business as usual. Sustainable solutions didn't change the unsustainable status quo. Am I disheartened? Sure. But I'm also energized, now that I see clearly. Transition is a whole system correction project. Sounds Hard. But it is do-able, and in the big shift, new multi-generational value can be created. hashtag #transitionengineering

The latest findings from the 2024 Design and Make report showed that 69% of construction and design leaders see sustainability as pivotal for short-term success—a significant leap from last year. Moreover, 87% of the respondents agree that it has long-term benefits for business. We're past the point where sustainability initiatives were just a bonus and reputation enhancers to better align with customers. They're a strategic move towards reducing operating costs and ensuring our businesses are future-proof. Kim Dabbs of Steelcase said it best: "Embracing sustainability isn't a trade-off but a long-term investment. One that will not only pay dividends in terms of the planet and people but will also be profitable." https://lnkd.in/e-8WXhDk

🌎 The 2020s are the decade we have to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which are known as the greatest challenge of our time. In this blog, Louisa Harris shares insights into how sustainable design can be used to drive business innovation, including the new mindsets needed to deliver breakthrough innovation. Key take aways: ⭐ To move towards a shared sustainable future, business as usual is no longer an option and that we need a rewiring of the economy. ⭐On their own, approaches such as systems thinking, biomimicry, or circular economy run the risk of seeming abstract or inaccessible. Success depends on anchoring innovation and imagination in practical actions that deliver a positive impact. ⭐Shaping a sustainable future unites organisations with a shared purpose and calls on us to foster radical collaboration over competition. Read Louisa’s blog to find out how your organisation can benefit from sustainable design here 👇 https://lnkd.in/e5-hSz_t

On July 3rd, Materials in Mind hosts the inaugural *Accelerating Circular Construction Round Table* event Sparks Bristol. With a brilliant line-up of speakers**, table hosts and case studies, we'll be focusing on the factors that have shaped circular and regenerative solutions across the UK. 🤷♀️ 🔘 *A Circular Economy is one where we strive to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature* 👉 This event is for developers, clients, engineers, contractors, consultants and designers.. We'll be hearing about the contexts and mechanisms that have led to successful circular practice and projects. 🤝 Circular Economy is a collaborative economy. Time and again, the greatest successes are supported by a systems based approach. The event seeks to; build understanding of common challenges and learn from practitioners actively addressing them; acknowledge specific project/organisational contexts and the systems that support circular practice; investigate the success factors behind circular best practices, helping identify blueprints for other industry leaders to adopt. 📢 There are many great examples of circularity working in practice. Cross sectoral knowledge sharing is critical to the success of emerging jobs/tech/materials markets, and the creation of truly resilient, low carbon built environments. Case studies and discussion topics will include; materials logistics hubs, secondary materials use at scale (including re-certification/warrantying), localising supply chains, supplier/multi-stakeholder contracting and retrofit. 🚀 The event will also introduce FactoryX (www.factoryx.site), a multi-stakeholder industry initiative and city-centre hub (operational circular materials hub, conference/training/visitors centre, and show park). We'll be joined by UWE's Laura Fogg Rogers and the #InspireSustainability team to capture table-insights and apply design thinking to create a Lego/Minecraft version of what such a hub could look like. ** We'll be hearing from - Jane Vivian West of England Combined Authority - Temple Quarter & St Philips Marsh Regeneration David Merrills Dandara BRISTOL WOOD RECYCLING PROJECT Gilli Hobbs Reusefully Ltd Susana Nuria Guerrero Lopez ALDStone Tim den Dekker Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) #acceleratetozero #circularconstructionhub #factoryx #constructionroundtable #thinktank #lowcarbonlogistics #reusenow #circulareconomy #failforward #adaptation #resilience https://lnkd.in/esAeMUWF

📢 Accelerating Circular Construction Round Table / FactoryX - 3rd July - Bristol, UK 📢 The construction and built environment sectors need to shift - and radically - away from an outdated, linear model, where resources, performance and resilience are not universal priorities. As a consultant, I enjoy a good framework and unpacking how it might apply to the projects and people I work with (context/scale). BUT I also experience overwhelm at the absolute abundance of guides - often lacking the detail for meaningful interpretation between contexts. So, while I am excited to get stuck into the new RIBA Climate Guide by Mina Hasman - I believe we need these resources to be backed up by regional (central, accessible) built environment hubs. I envisage a multi-stakeholder cooperative of existing and emerging organisations that demonstrate and facilitate this radical shift. FactoryX is a new kind of systems-led show and do facility. Connecting; materials exchange and remanufacturing; a show park for the diverse building typologies addressing the industries core challenges; training/education facilities (for use by local groups and institutions); and a conference/visitors centre. The possibilities for these spaces are huge - but ultimately we want buy-in on those 'new operating models'. If one of the biggest barriers is getting the industry to interact with those frameworks and models, then we need to make them physical, exciting, and very obviously better. On July 3rd Materials in Mind is hosting the inaugural *Accelerating Circular Construction Round Table* event in central Bristol. With an brilliant line-up of speakers, table hosts and case studies, we'll be focusing on the factors that have shaped circular and regenerative solutions across the UK. Understanding the contexts and mechanisms behind the scenes is key to replicating/adapting solutions successfully, with a goal of drawing out blueprints for adoption. We are calling out for developers, clients, engineers, contractors, consultants and designers to join the discussion. #acceleratetozero #circularconstructionhub #factoryx #constructionroundtable #thinktank #lowcarbonlogistics #reusenow #circulareconomy #failforward #adaptation and #resilience Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Excess Materials Exchange, Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP), The Rebuild Site, ALDStone, Bristol Waste Company, Bristol City Council, Goram Homes, Housing Festival , Jan Kattein, Global Generation, British Land, Sir Robert McAlpine, UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), Considerate Constructors Scheme, ACAN!, Built Environment - Smarter Transformation, University of Bristol, University of the West of England, University of Bath, Bath Spa University, The Studio in Bath, Bristol Digital Futures Institute, Retrofit West CIC, The Green Register, Building Growth South West

Sustainability, as currently practised in the built environment, is primarily an exercise in efficiency. In other words, the use of environmental rating systems and other mechanisms allows a reduction in the damage caused by excessive resource use. However, instead of doing less damage to the environment, it is necessary to learn how one can participate with the environment by using the health of ecological systems as a basis for design. The shift from a fragmented to a whole systems model is the significant cultural leap that consumer society needs to make – through framing and understanding living system interrelationships in an integrated way. A place-based approach is one way to achieve this understanding. The design process begins by attempting to understand how the systems of life work in each unique place. The role of designers and stakeholders is to create a whole system of mutually beneficial relationships. By doing so, the potential for green design moves beyond sustaining the environment to one that can regenerate its health – as well as our own. ( Bill Reed )

There is truth to the saying, "Don't be gentle; it's a rental". Leased products are indeed less well looked after than their owned counterparts. So what can be done to ensure leasing business models can contribute to sustainability transitions, increasing the use and extending the lifespan of leased products? New research draws on work with designers to come up with business model solutions. "It’s clear that consumers are less gentle with leased products, however, this can be addressed through a range of different, practical design strategies and solutions that we provide in our paper," says author Vivian Tunn. The research is a collaboration with Laura Ackermann from the Centre for Sustainability Management, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg. Curious? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dERbgWgS

🌍 Transition Design: Practical Ideas for a Sustainable Future 🌱 How can we tackle today’s complex societal challenges while moving toward a more sustainable world? In our new article series, we explore Transition Design, an approach that offers practical pathways to address these pressing issues. The first article introduces the core ideas of Transition Design in a way that’s easy to follow and accessible to everyone. Whether you’re curious about sustainability or looking for actionable insights, we hope you’ll find it thought-provoking and useful. 📖 Read the first article here: https://lnkd.in/g4smzMcR We’d love to hear your perspectives—let’s start a conversation about how we can shape a better future together. #TransitionDesign #Sustainability #Innovation #FutureThinking

At adm Group, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. We're immensely proud of our Sustainable Design Guide – it’s been a game-changer for us, and now, we're extending its reach to our clients. The guide has fostered a heightened environmental responsibility in our internal teams - it impacts projects from the design phase, and we're thrilled to support our clients in achieving similar advancements. Together, we can amplify our impact and work towards shared sustainability goals. Sustainability isn't just a trend; it's a collective responsibility. By sharing our guide, we're fostering a community of change-makers committed to making a positive difference. You can access our Sustainable Design Guide here. https://lnkd.in/eGwW_aHr Stay tuned for more updates on how we'll be collaborating with our clients to drive sustainability forward. #Sustainability #SustainableDesign #CollaborationForChange #FromPurposetoImpact #MarketingExecution

Want to design more sustainable products but don't know where to start? Following our SF Design Week #SFDW panel on #Sustainability and #Circularity last week, I've compiled a short summary with some practical tips.  https://lnkd.in/dZ2GhX85