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A History of Design from an Environmental Perspective

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Environmental Histories of Design: Towards a New Research Agenda” by Kjetil Fallan and Finn Arne Jorgensen

Design history and environmental history are examined in “Environmental Histories of Design: Towards a New Research Agenda” by Kjetil Fallan and Finn Arne Jorgensen. The authors contend that we need to incorporate environmental history into design research to grasp the ecological effects of design practices more clearly across time. Later designs will be more environmentally friendly as a result.

Throughout the reading, I found the article quite interesting because it presented fresh insights and perspectives on environment and design which  I’m passionate about. I appreciated the depth of research that went into the content, and the author’s writing style was engaging.

This article underlines how crucial it is for designers to pay more attention to environmental concerns.

The authors of this article highlight how urgent it is to confront the climate crisis. They look at how environmental impacts were minimized in design history. They assert that novel approaches must be used to investigate the connection between design and nature, resources, and ecosystems. With this strategy, they contend that historical design methods have significantly influenced the environment and, as a result, influenced future sustainable design solutions.

It demonstrates how design decisions throughout history, from the early modern era to the present, have frequently influenced and affected the environment. Examples include the ecological impact of modern consumer culture and the deforestation linked to furniture manufacture in the 18th century.

Fallan and Jorgensen’s writers advocate for a comprehensive view of design that considers the larger ecological system in which it operates. Concepts like planned obsolescence and non-renewable resources have influenced design approaches, and urgent change is required.

The writers also stress the value of multidisciplinary cooperation between environmental historians and design historians. It is essential to connect these domains to gain a thorough grasp of the environmental history of design to create more sustainable design practices.

The authors argue that including environmental history in design studies is crucial for both academic and practical reasons. Designers, educators, and politicians can leverage historical knowledge to create environmentally friendly design solutions for the future. This is done by having a better grasp of how design decisions affect the environment.

To sum up, an environmentally responsible approach to design history is necessary, according to the authors of the book “Environmental Histories of Design: Towards a New Research Agenda.” To address our urgent environmental issues, it is essential for researchers, designers, and decision-makers to work in partnership and to take into account the ecological impact of their decisions.

Hi, I am Slma

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About me

My name is Slma Bahuwayrith, and I am from Saudi Arabia. Currently, I am pursuing a MA in Interior, Architecture, and Spatial Design. In the future, I would like to conduct in-depth research on topics relating to the relationship between man and nature and environmental protection.

 

Regarding my interest in environmental design:

There are several reasons I am interested in environmental design. Firstly, as a designer I want to protect the planet and its biodiversity, as well as provide a better future for our children, which is why I am interested in environmental design. The fact that it encompasses an array of comprehensive fields, including architecture, urban planning, landscape design, interior design, and many other disciplines, is one of the reasons why it is so powerful. In order to achieve this objective, it is essential that the design of the project is carried out in such a way that minimal effects will be caused on the environment, that resources will be conserved, and that a fair and equitable society will be promoted. In order to achieve the dream of an elevated quality of living, it is imperative to understand the role of sustainable interior design in enlightening and broadening an individual’s horizons so that they retain the desire to live with meaning. There is always hope in a world of uncertainty, and one positive action can have a profound impact. It is our duty as humans to preserve and spread harmony around the world and to be responsible for our actions, so we can enjoy this wonderful gift. The interior design industry can be developed and maintained in an environmentally friendly way. Together, we can make a difference in these diverse regions through our participation. It is my intention, in this blog and future blogs, to discuss, analyze and illustrate the importance of sustainability in interior design. I will also discuss its applications, and consequences for the environment’s future. In order to achieve such a promising outcome, sustainability must be understood as a matter of high priority in interior design in order to enhance human life quality. As we move forward, the interior design industry should consider environmentally friendly products and recycled materials in response to global environmental crises.