- Politecnico di Milano
Dept of Design
Building 10, Floor 3
via G. Durando 38
20158 Milano
Italy - +39 (0)2 2399 5824
- Sustainable Design, Design for Longevity, Longer Lifespan, Longer Lasting, Repair and Maintenance, Repurpose, and 26 moreCo-design/Co-creation/participatory design, DIY culture, Do It Yourself (DIY), Sustainable Development, Consumers & Consumption, Sociology of consumption, Wabi Sabi, Imperfection, Design for Sustainability DfS, Design thinking, Design and Emotion, Socially Responsible Design, Socially Engaged Craft, Resourcefulness and Self sufficient Lifestyles, Design, Design Research, Sustainable Production and Consumption, Practice theory, Environmental Sustainability, Multidisciplinary design practices, Sociology, DIY, Making and Mending, Sustainable Consumption, Makers and D.I.Y. technology, Maker Culture, and Fabbersedit
- I am Research Fellow at Politecnico di Milano. I am involved in the EU funded project 'Sharing Cities'. In general I... moreI am Research Fellow at Politecnico di Milano. I am involved in the EU funded project 'Sharing Cities'.
In general I am interested to the relationship between people and artefacts in order to promote a shift towards sustainable patterns of consumption and production with the contribution of design.
In recent years I investigated attitudes and behaviours at different stages of product life; repair markets and grassroots innovations; and acquisition and development of skills. I collaborated in research projects focusing on Design strategies for Sustainable Consumption, Industrial Ecology and Life Cycle Assessment, Bio-inspired design approach, materials innovation, and expressive-sensorial dimension of materials.
I am co-founder of Mend*RS, the first symposium in the UK about contemporary repairing culture.edit
Research Interests: Design, Practice theory, Sustainable Development, Design Research, Product Design, and 10 moreEnvironmental Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Repair and Maintenance, Multidisciplinary design practices, DIY culture, Do It Yourself (DIY), Codesign, DIY, Makers and D.I.Y. technology, and Maker Culture
Contemporary self-production (i.e. DIY) phenomena are envisaged as a 'window of opportunity' to foster sustainable and satisfactory practices of consumption and production. This research addressed self-production to save products and... more
Contemporary self-production (i.e. DIY) phenomena are envisaged as a 'window of opportunity' to foster sustainable and satisfactory practices of consumption and production. This research addressed self-production to save products and prolong their lifespan once the end-of-life is reached by re-using, re-pairing, re-purposing, and re-appropriating. The resulting 'RE-DIY' practice was investigated through qualitative interviews with 15 practitioners in Italy and England (UK). Sociological theories of practices have been used to investigate the skills, material and meaning elements sustaining the practice under examination. Four different groups of practitioners were identified according to motivations and levels of commitment and interest. However, all interviewees seemed to perceive comparable levels of satisfaction from practising RE-DIY. Furthermore, some elements for a flow condition have been identified. Finally, the role of design professionals in boosting the sustainable potential of RE-DIY will be proposed. To this purpose the scale of action and typologies of collaboration for design are mapped.
Research Interests: Design, Sustainable Production and Consumption, Action Research, Practice theory, Service Design, and 27 moreProduct Design, Collaborative Design, Satisfaction, Environmental Sustainability, Repair and Maintenance, Flow Theory, Italy, PhD Thesis, DIY culture, Self-Production, Fablab, Milano, Do It Yourself (DIY), Codesign, DIY, Reuse, Repurpose, Makers and D.I.Y. technology, Upcycle, Workshops, Learning by doing, Maker Culture, Repair, Sustainable consumption and production, Makers, Makerspaces, and Repurposers
A wave of interest in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) has been recently observed in relation to technological advances and lowered prices facilitating the access to the practice at different levels of skills. This research envisaged the DIY trend... more
A wave of interest in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) has been recently observed in relation to technological advances and lowered prices facilitating the access to the practice at different levels of skills.
This research envisaged the DIY trend as an opportunity to foster positive sustainable impact in a society where everyone can and does design. In this paper the role of Design in current ‘new’ DIY age is addressed. In particular professional designer as facilitator is investigated when supporting the DIY practitioners while repairing, reusing and in other practices prolonging product lifespan (RE-DIY).
The facilitator role is studied through action research approach by setting four workshops in Italy, in which designers supported practitioners while repairing and repurposing.
The repairing workshops validated the hypothesis of a positive design contribution towards the RE-DIY practice, namely facilitating the optimisation of resources (e.g. saving materials), information provision about processes (e.g. 3D printing), and increased quality of artefacts (e.g. refining the aesthetics). Critical components of the working conditions have been identified such as the relevance of facilities, availability of time and emotional attachment to the product. These can be overtaken through the use of professional Design expertise based on abductive approach, finding an ordering principle and reasoning on multiple levels.
This research envisaged the DIY trend as an opportunity to foster positive sustainable impact in a society where everyone can and does design. In this paper the role of Design in current ‘new’ DIY age is addressed. In particular professional designer as facilitator is investigated when supporting the DIY practitioners while repairing, reusing and in other practices prolonging product lifespan (RE-DIY).
The facilitator role is studied through action research approach by setting four workshops in Italy, in which designers supported practitioners while repairing and repurposing.
The repairing workshops validated the hypothesis of a positive design contribution towards the RE-DIY practice, namely facilitating the optimisation of resources (e.g. saving materials), information provision about processes (e.g. 3D printing), and increased quality of artefacts (e.g. refining the aesthetics). Critical components of the working conditions have been identified such as the relevance of facilities, availability of time and emotional attachment to the product. These can be overtaken through the use of professional Design expertise based on abductive approach, finding an ordering principle and reasoning on multiple levels.
Research Interests: Design, Participatory Action Research, Action Research, Practice theory, Service Design, and 16 moreFurniture Design, Product Design, Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Social Practice, Repair and Maintenance, DIY culture, Self-Production, Furniture, Do It Yourself (DIY), DIY, Makers and D.I.Y. technology, Workshops, Semi-Structured Interviews, Maker Culture, and D.I.Y. Culture
Each year in Italy, millions of tons of fruits and vegetables are harvested, packed and transported to national and foreign retail outlets. Packaging is an essential component of this system, but what is its environmental impact? This... more
Each year in Italy, millions of tons of fruits and vegetables are harvested, packed and transported to national and foreign retail outlets. Packaging is an essential component of this system, but what is its environmental impact?
This study takes into consideration the delivery from the field to the retail outlet of 12 types of fruits and vegetables grown and harvested in Italy and sold in Italy and Europe. The study compares two different packaging and distribution systems: one-way with corrugated boxes and reusable with plastic containers.
A number of different scenarios were generated by combining the most diffused packaging sizes with the most important production and selling locations for each type of fruit and vegetable and by considering the specific route required to perform the transportation with each distribution system.
The environmental impact of each system in each scenario has then been analysed using the life cycle assessment methodology.
Two algorithms and a number of coefficients were derived to simplify data collection and impact analysis for all scenarios. This provides an easy tool to evaluate the potential environmental burden of the two alternative distribution systems in a specific scenario by taking into consideration only a few variables (such as size of packaging and transportation distance).
These algorithms and coefficients are presented in the work, along with the process that led to their generation and with considerations about the main critical environmental aspects for both distribution systems. The work aims to suggest possible design solutions that can make each system more sustainable.
This study takes into consideration the delivery from the field to the retail outlet of 12 types of fruits and vegetables grown and harvested in Italy and sold in Italy and Europe. The study compares two different packaging and distribution systems: one-way with corrugated boxes and reusable with plastic containers.
A number of different scenarios were generated by combining the most diffused packaging sizes with the most important production and selling locations for each type of fruit and vegetable and by considering the specific route required to perform the transportation with each distribution system.
The environmental impact of each system in each scenario has then been analysed using the life cycle assessment methodology.
Two algorithms and a number of coefficients were derived to simplify data collection and impact analysis for all scenarios. This provides an easy tool to evaluate the potential environmental burden of the two alternative distribution systems in a specific scenario by taking into consideration only a few variables (such as size of packaging and transportation distance).
These algorithms and coefficients are presented in the work, along with the process that led to their generation and with considerations about the main critical environmental aspects for both distribution systems. The work aims to suggest possible design solutions that can make each system more sustainable.
Research Interests:
The research investigates the possibility of objectively anticipating the sensorial qualities of fabrics as an opportunity for competitiveness in textiles fields. To this end, three meaningful subjective sensorial perceptions for a... more
The research investigates the possibility of objectively anticipating the sensorial qualities of fabrics as an opportunity for competitiveness in textiles fields. To this end, three meaningful subjective sensorial perceptions for a specific sampling of fabrics have been associated with objective material properties measured through both conventional and alternative tests. The samples have been eventually assessed by three groups of panelists in three different sensorial modalities, involving touch and sight. Data from the physical and mechanical tests were then statistically related to these subjective rankings in order to identify objective properties that best anticipate specific sensorial information. Two are the main results: (a) subjective perceptions are independent from user's professional background; (b) a specific objective property is a reliable parameter for softness sensorial anticipation. Finally, a set of tools is proposed to exploit the potentiality of the obtained results.
Research Interests:
This paper explores the defects during the production seen as a gain in usability and an economic opportunity for the industry; the strategy proposed here is to exploit the flaws as generator of unique products and inspiration for the... more
This paper explores the defects during the production seen as a gain in usability and an economic opportunity for the industry; the strategy proposed here is to exploit the flaws as generator of unique products and inspiration for the mass customization. These defects, connected to each process, usually entail the removal of the product from the production chain, up to its elimination. Yet even EU directives on guarantees for consumer goods have focused on the lack of conformity of products [Directive 1999/44/EC] or ISO regulations, the usefulness to support Quality Management System [ISO 9001:2008] and authorize and propose strategies for enhancement of the defective products. Therefore this research suggests the involvement of industrial design in the optimization of defects in design and construction in the categories proposed by D. M. Bryce, in order to extend the life of the product from the production stage "This is what we want to do with design: discover and show opportunities" [22], acting primarily on the aesthetic and functional aspect. The method used begins with the identification of possible defects, examining the injection moulding process as a case study. The defects (coming from the state-of-art analysis, interviewing experts and visiting companies) were mainly analyzed critically and creatively interpreted: how do they look aesthetically, what are the causes of their defects, the implication on the moulded part, possible new uses and purposes, etc. This stage has allowed the comparison between typical defects in the injection moulding process and products (already commercialized and considered of high commercial and/or creative value) characterized by a similar morphology. For each defect some parameters were considered such as the possibility of intervention by the designer, the level and the type of this intervention. In conclusion, the research has investigated potential strategies for process innovation through the creative role of design, highlighting flaws and imperfections that can be recruited by the market, becoming a presumption for uniqueness on the inside of serial production.
Research Interests:
Sensorial and emotional loads, which are strongly correlated to the acceptability of fabrics to users and the pleasure users derive from them, represent a decisive factor in the application of textiles. For the past few years this... more
Sensorial and emotional loads, which are strongly correlated to the acceptability of fabrics to users and the pleasure users derive from them, represent a decisive factor in the application of textiles. For the past few years this research group has been investigating modalities to define and predict sensoriality on the basis of objective parameters and tests. In the current phase of research a broader panel of test subjects has been constituted to verify and further investigate previous results. The panel includes professional figures, foreigners, blind people and laypeople. As well as this, the adoption of experimental mechanical tests aimed at replicating users’ skin properties and procedures in valuing the hand of fabrics has led to new findings and further improvements. Reliable results have been obtained for the prediction of sensorial properties such as softness, smoothness and lightness on the basis of specific objective tests. The most novel contributions derive from investigations in the field of neurosciences. Panelists were monitored in their physiological parameters (skin-resistance and heart-rate) and sight directions (eye-tracking) while assessing fabrics to identify task difficulty rankings and exploratory paths.
Research Interests:
We are delighted to present the proceedings of the first international conference on Product Lifetimes and the Environment (PLATE). This ground breaking event, held in Nottingham, UK, included 5 keynote presentations, 62 papers and 6... more
We are delighted to present the proceedings of the first international conference on
Product Lifetimes and the Environment (PLATE). This ground breaking event, held in
Nottingham, UK, included 5 keynote presentations, 62 papers and 6 workshops. Alongside
the conference was an exhibition of prototypes, objects, artefacts, posters, photographs
and films, details of which are provided in a separate catalogue.
Product lifetimes have become an increasingly important element in the debate on circular
economy, resource efficiency, waste reduction and low carbon strategies for sustainability.
Consequently a growing body of academic researchers, companies, independent think
tanks, government bodies and other policy stakeholders have been addressing the topic
in recent years. The aim of this conference was to embrace this emerging area of research,
sharing knowledge and expertise in order to explore the influence that product longevity
has on environmental, economic and social sustainability.
A multi-disciplinary approach to this topic is vital and contributions were thus invited from
scholars from a range of backgrounds, including design, geography, anthropology,
business management, economics, marketing, consumer behaviour, sociology and politics.
The programme has been structured around seven themes:
Design approaches to product longevity
The role of product longevity in resource efficiency and waste reduction
Strategies for product lifetime optimisation
Cultural perspectives on the throwaway society
Business opportunities, economic implications and marketing strategies
Consumer influences on product lifetimes
Policies, regulation and legislation.
Around 100 proposals for papers were submitted to the organisers in the form of abstracts.
Following a peer review process, just under two thirds of these resulted in papers accepted
for publication in the proceedings. We were very impressed by the quality of many papers
and are grateful to have had contributions from researchers from many disciplines and 16
countries across five continents.
As editors of these proceedings, we are delighted to put together this collection of
thoughtful papers on the topic of product lifetimes in the context of sustainability. We are
confident that the proceedings will help to nurture discussion and debate on this important
topic, as well as contribute to the growing academic knowledge in the field.
Tim Cooper, Naomi Braithwaite, Mariale Moreno and Giuseppe Salvia (Joint Editors)
Product Lifetimes and the Environment (PLATE). This ground breaking event, held in
Nottingham, UK, included 5 keynote presentations, 62 papers and 6 workshops. Alongside
the conference was an exhibition of prototypes, objects, artefacts, posters, photographs
and films, details of which are provided in a separate catalogue.
Product lifetimes have become an increasingly important element in the debate on circular
economy, resource efficiency, waste reduction and low carbon strategies for sustainability.
Consequently a growing body of academic researchers, companies, independent think
tanks, government bodies and other policy stakeholders have been addressing the topic
in recent years. The aim of this conference was to embrace this emerging area of research,
sharing knowledge and expertise in order to explore the influence that product longevity
has on environmental, economic and social sustainability.
A multi-disciplinary approach to this topic is vital and contributions were thus invited from
scholars from a range of backgrounds, including design, geography, anthropology,
business management, economics, marketing, consumer behaviour, sociology and politics.
The programme has been structured around seven themes:
Design approaches to product longevity
The role of product longevity in resource efficiency and waste reduction
Strategies for product lifetime optimisation
Cultural perspectives on the throwaway society
Business opportunities, economic implications and marketing strategies
Consumer influences on product lifetimes
Policies, regulation and legislation.
Around 100 proposals for papers were submitted to the organisers in the form of abstracts.
Following a peer review process, just under two thirds of these resulted in papers accepted
for publication in the proceedings. We were very impressed by the quality of many papers
and are grateful to have had contributions from researchers from many disciplines and 16
countries across five continents.
As editors of these proceedings, we are delighted to put together this collection of
thoughtful papers on the topic of product lifetimes in the context of sustainability. We are
confident that the proceedings will help to nurture discussion and debate on this important
topic, as well as contribute to the growing academic knowledge in the field.
Tim Cooper, Naomi Braithwaite, Mariale Moreno and Giuseppe Salvia (Joint Editors)
Research Interests: Sustainable Production and Consumption, Environmental policy, Sustainable Development, Environmental Policy and Governance, Waste Management, and 27 moreEnvironmental Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Repair and Maintenance, Electronic waste recycle, Upcycling, Reuse, Material Upcycling, Repurpose, Sustainable design, upcycling, cradle-to-cradle, Upcycle, Making and Mending, Product Lifetime Extension, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Consumption, Product Lifetime Optimization, Sustainable Behavior, Circular Economy, Repair, Green and Sustainability Practices, Sustainability, Products With a Long Lifetime, Mending, Product Longevity, Productivity and Longevity, Upcycling and DIY culture, Upcycling, Sustainable Design, Upcycling Design, Product Lifetimes, and Product lifetime
La Natura è assimilabile ad un pregevole progetto, frutto di processi evolutivi perpetuatisi per quasi 4 miliardi di anni, tali per cui la continua ottimizzazione degli organismi ha generato materiali, strutture e meccanismi di mirabile... more
La Natura è assimilabile ad un pregevole progetto, frutto di processi evolutivi perpetuatisi per quasi 4 miliardi di anni, tali per cui la continua ottimizzazione degli organismi ha generato materiali, strutture e meccanismi di mirabile efficacia, spesso superiore ai corrispondenti artefatti umani, soprattutto dal punto di vista ambientale.
Il libro, Il Progetto della Natura, è il risultato del percorso di ricerca per la diffusione dell'approccio biomimetico nella progettazione, che trae ispirazione proprio dagli organismi naturali per la realizzazione di prodotti e processi avanzati in molteplici livelli (prestazionale, tecnologico, ambientale, economico...) e ambiti applicativi (prodotti industriali, tessile e abbigliamento, architettura e costruzioni).
Le potenzialità dell'approccio biomimetico vengono illustrate attraverso una vasta esemplificazione dei casi applicativi ed espedienti più significativi.
La trattazione del tema comprende inoltre una panoramica sugli approcci, le istituzioni di maggior rilievo e gli strumenti basilari per avviare la progettazione bioispirata attraverso l'indicazione di riviste specializzate, blog di divulgazione e scambio, nonché database mirati a sostenere i progettisti della prossima "era biomorfica".
Il libro, Il Progetto della Natura, è il risultato del percorso di ricerca per la diffusione dell'approccio biomimetico nella progettazione, che trae ispirazione proprio dagli organismi naturali per la realizzazione di prodotti e processi avanzati in molteplici livelli (prestazionale, tecnologico, ambientale, economico...) e ambiti applicativi (prodotti industriali, tessile e abbigliamento, architettura e costruzioni).
Le potenzialità dell'approccio biomimetico vengono illustrate attraverso una vasta esemplificazione dei casi applicativi ed espedienti più significativi.
La trattazione del tema comprende inoltre una panoramica sugli approcci, le istituzioni di maggior rilievo e gli strumenti basilari per avviare la progettazione bioispirata attraverso l'indicazione di riviste specializzate, blog di divulgazione e scambio, nonché database mirati a sostenere i progettisti della prossima "era biomorfica".
Amateurs committed to self-production (i.e. DIY) are reshaping the relationship between production and consumption, leading to a ‘new DIY age’ (Hoftijzer 2009). The spreading of this trend suggests scenarios in which non-professional... more
Amateurs committed to self-production (i.e. DIY) are reshaping the relationship between production and consumption, leading to a ‘new DIY age’ (Hoftijzer 2009). The spreading of this trend suggests scenarios in which non-professional people are, or will be, able to create artefacts supported by innovative technologies, networks and, perhaps, companies with new business models. Easy access for consumers to the production system could lead to inefficient resource use and increased waste, however, and so the sustainability of this trend has been debated. Nonetheless, recent research by Salvia (2013) envisages this contemporary self-production phenomena as a ‘window of opportunity’ to foster positive environmental and social impact, through activities intended to prolong product lifetimes, e.g. re-using, re-pairing, re-purposing and re-appropriating—collectively named RE-DIY. This chapter addresses the role of design as catalyst for sustainable RE-DIY. Four scenarios portray the possible role of professional designers as educators or facilitators in the relationship with RE-DIY practitioners, at both a global and local scale. On the basis of a review of the current ‘state of the art’, cases of design-led sustainable initiatives promoting RE-DIY are explored to highlight the potential and feasibility of novel relationships between producers and consumers . Finally, barriers to the evolution of RE-DIY towards sustainable patterns are identified and discussed, and triggers for scaling up this practice on a broader societal level are proposed
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Prosumer, Craft, DIY culture, Self-Production, Do It Yourself (DIY), and 4 moreProsumption, DIY, Prosumers, and Amateurs
Research Interests:
An estimated two million tonnes of electric and electronic equipment (EEE) are discarded annually in the UK. Vacuum cleaners (VCs) account for the second largest embodied greenhouse gases emissions of EEE, due primarily to high sales... more
An estimated two million tonnes of electric and electronic equipment (EEE) are discarded annually in the UK. Vacuum cleaners (VCs) account for the second largest embodied greenhouse gases emissions of EEE, due primarily to high sales volumes and faster replacement cycles. With a lifespan expectancy of 5 to 11 years, the actual average lifespan of VCs is shorter than 5.
A Defra funded research project attempts to increase the understanding of factors determining the faster replacement of VCs in order to optimise product longevity through design intervention. The results of a survey with 507 respondents in the UK reveals replacement motivations. The majority of the respondents discarded their VC because it did not work at all or efficiently suggesting that unreliability and low quality are the main reasons for replacement.
A European regulation has recently introduced minimum requirements for VCs; the motor for example, is expected to last around 10 years. However, the contrasting reaction of manufacturers and users, together with the evidence that a good number of disposed VCs are still in good working condition, or easily repairable, indicates that more complex motivations trigger the replacement of VCs. The aim of this contribution is to shed light on these motivations.
Replacement can be triggered by dissatisfaction with the VC. Low suction and noise, for example, are the most annoying aspects identified when vacuuming; these are, however, often related to improper use and poor maintenance. Proper care through use and maintenance are integral to prolonging the technical lifespan of a VC.
VCs may be perceived as disposable commodities that are not worth the care and attention of the user. Although the majority of respondents would consider repairing their VC in the case of failure, in reality only a fraction actually did repair one. Several barriers to repair have been identified in literature, namely cost, dissatisfaction and trust in the repairer. Aggressive marketing further prompts replacement over repair.
Some respondents replaced the VC because they desired a new one, perhaps prompted by the aging of the machine’s appearance or the dust trapped in its components. Perception of disgust or performance loss may be decisive if hygiene is involved.
Promoting the change towards sustainable patterns of consumption might require radical interventions that dig into the relationship between the user and the machine, or in other words with the human and non-human subjects. Users of VCs appear resistant to the maintenance requirements for an optimal, durable and performing machine.
As machines, VCs have been envisaged as almost ‘magic’ items for cleaning or as ‘mechanical servants’. Humans have delegated to VCs not just the task of cleaning the floors but also the wish of their self-maintenance. The expectation is not met and the machine, as a tool, becomes visible when it breaks demanding the attention that the human has tried to avoid by delegating the task to a machine.
A Defra funded research project attempts to increase the understanding of factors determining the faster replacement of VCs in order to optimise product longevity through design intervention. The results of a survey with 507 respondents in the UK reveals replacement motivations. The majority of the respondents discarded their VC because it did not work at all or efficiently suggesting that unreliability and low quality are the main reasons for replacement.
A European regulation has recently introduced minimum requirements for VCs; the motor for example, is expected to last around 10 years. However, the contrasting reaction of manufacturers and users, together with the evidence that a good number of disposed VCs are still in good working condition, or easily repairable, indicates that more complex motivations trigger the replacement of VCs. The aim of this contribution is to shed light on these motivations.
Replacement can be triggered by dissatisfaction with the VC. Low suction and noise, for example, are the most annoying aspects identified when vacuuming; these are, however, often related to improper use and poor maintenance. Proper care through use and maintenance are integral to prolonging the technical lifespan of a VC.
VCs may be perceived as disposable commodities that are not worth the care and attention of the user. Although the majority of respondents would consider repairing their VC in the case of failure, in reality only a fraction actually did repair one. Several barriers to repair have been identified in literature, namely cost, dissatisfaction and trust in the repairer. Aggressive marketing further prompts replacement over repair.
Some respondents replaced the VC because they desired a new one, perhaps prompted by the aging of the machine’s appearance or the dust trapped in its components. Perception of disgust or performance loss may be decisive if hygiene is involved.
Promoting the change towards sustainable patterns of consumption might require radical interventions that dig into the relationship between the user and the machine, or in other words with the human and non-human subjects. Users of VCs appear resistant to the maintenance requirements for an optimal, durable and performing machine.
As machines, VCs have been envisaged as almost ‘magic’ items for cleaning or as ‘mechanical servants’. Humans have delegated to VCs not just the task of cleaning the floors but also the wish of their self-maintenance. The expectation is not met and the machine, as a tool, becomes visible when it breaks demanding the attention that the human has tried to avoid by delegating the task to a machine.
Research Interests:
The durability of electric and electronic equipment EEE (such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines) fails to meet user’s expectance. However, a good number of disposed items is still in good working condition or easily repairable. It... more
The durability of electric and electronic equipment EEE (such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines) fails to meet user’s expectance. However, a good number of disposed items is still in good working condition or easily repairable. It can be inferred that still working EEE are thrown away because perceived as ‘irremediably’ broken. The talk will address how user’s perception of EEE as ‘mechanical servants’ contributes to the lack of interest in maintenance and ‘brokenness’ is not intrinsic to the object but shared with its user.
Research Interests: Design, Engineering Product Design, Product Design, Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Product Design & Manufacturing, and 15 moreElectrical and Electronics, Repair and Maintenance, Industrial Product Design, Maintenance, Carpet Cleaning, Cleaning, WEEE, Repair, Cleanliness and Hygiene, Vacuum Cleaner, REPAIRS, Household Vacuum Cleaners, Residential Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Market, Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment WEEE, and Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Markets
The research explores approaches for designers to help foster sustainable patterns of production and consumption (SPC), through the involvement of final users in the creative process of making artefacts she or he will use and consume.... more
The research explores approaches for designers to help foster
sustainable patterns of production and consumption (SPC),
through the involvement of final users in the creative process of
making artefacts she or he will use and consume. To the
purpose, appealing and satisfactory –beyond sustainable–
solutions have to be proposed to users. The strategy described
in this paper attempts to generate a condition of “flow”
[Csikszentmihalyi, 1990] through the practice of Do-It-Yourself
(DIY). « DIY constitutes a significant but unexplored domain
both of consumption and practice. [...and] Second, DIY is a field
in which the relation between tool, materials and competence is
plainly significant. As such it allows us to investigate the
characteristics and qualities of specific combinations of skill and
consumer goods » [Watson and Shove, 2006].
Building on these ideas I speculate on the potential for
developing a Sustainable Product Service System (S-PSS)
designed to allow bricoleurs, amateurs, professionals, prosumers
... to take part in self-designing/ producing/ repairing/
upgrading/ repurposing or re-interpreting (domestic) artefacts
by themselves and in collaboration with the other members of
the community.
sustainable patterns of production and consumption (SPC),
through the involvement of final users in the creative process of
making artefacts she or he will use and consume. To the
purpose, appealing and satisfactory –beyond sustainable–
solutions have to be proposed to users. The strategy described
in this paper attempts to generate a condition of “flow”
[Csikszentmihalyi, 1990] through the practice of Do-It-Yourself
(DIY). « DIY constitutes a significant but unexplored domain
both of consumption and practice. [...and] Second, DIY is a field
in which the relation between tool, materials and competence is
plainly significant. As such it allows us to investigate the
characteristics and qualities of specific combinations of skill and
consumer goods » [Watson and Shove, 2006].
Building on these ideas I speculate on the potential for
developing a Sustainable Product Service System (S-PSS)
designed to allow bricoleurs, amateurs, professionals, prosumers
... to take part in self-designing/ producing/ repairing/
upgrading/ repurposing or re-interpreting (domestic) artefacts
by themselves and in collaboration with the other members of
the community.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The research investigates the potential of the objective anticipation of fabrics’ sensorial properties. Sensoriality represents a key-factor in textiles field and the possibility in determining subjective perceptions is assumed as an... more
The research investigates the potential of the objective anticipation of fabrics’ sensorial properties. Sensoriality represents a key-factor in textiles field and the possibility in determining subjective perceptions is assumed as an opportunity for competitiveness. In accordance with purpose, the research group first identified the most influential sensorial properties (i.e. softness, smoothness and warmth) and we associated them to subjective perceptions. Then we collected a significant sampling of fabrics and measured physical mechanical objective properties through both conventional and experimental tests. Finally, we compared tests results to users’ rankings. A group of 11 panellists – dived in three groups according to their own professional background – assessed sensorial properties of the sampling of fabrics in mono- (only sight and only touch) and multisensorial (both sight and touch) session. Recurring to statistical analysis methods, we verified the mechanical property – if present – best anticipating specific sensorial information. Two main results are sharing of subjective perceptions even among users with different background and a specific combination of two objective properties as reliable parameter for softness sensorial anticipation. The research group also attempted to propose a set of tools to make available the potential of the obtained results. To the purpose the concept of both sensorial Atlas of fabrics and softness label are here presented.
Sensorial and emotional loads, which are strongly correlated to the acceptability of fabrics to users and the pleasure users derive from them, represent a decisive factor in the application of textiles. For the past few years this... more
Sensorial and emotional loads, which are strongly correlated to the acceptability of fabrics to users and the pleasure users derive from them, represent a decisive factor in the application of textiles. For the past few years this research group has been investigating modalities to define and predict sensoriality on the basis of objective parameters and tests. In the current phase of research a broader panel of test subjects has been constituted to verify and further investigate previous results. The panel includes professional figures, foreigners, blind people and laypeople. As well as this, the adoption of experimental mechanical tests aimed at replicating users’ skin properties and procedures in valuing the hand of fabrics has led to new findings and further improvements. Reliable results have been obtained for the prediction of sensorial properties such as softness, smoothness and lightness on the basis of specific objective tests. The most novel contributions derive from investigations in the field of neurosciences. Panelists were monitored in their physiological parameters (skin-resistance and heart-rate) and sight directions (eye-tracking) while assessing fabrics to identify task difficulty rankings and exploratory paths.
The UK INDEMAND Centre, announced in November 2012 in the UK Government's 'Energy Efficiency Strategy', is one of six national research centres on End Use Energy Demand reduction. With £6.2m initial funding from the RCUK Energy Programme,... more
The UK INDEMAND Centre, announced in November 2012 in the UK Government's 'Energy Efficiency Strategy', is one of six national research centres on End Use Energy Demand reduction. With £6.2m initial funding from the RCUK Energy Programme, and commitments of over £5m from the founding project partners, the UK INDEMAND Centre aims to enable delivery of significant reductions in the use of both energy and energy-intensive materials in the Industries that supply the UK’s physical needs. This aim recognises that most energy used in industry is required for the highly efficient production of stock materials. Around 30 full-time research staff at four leading Universities will work to reveal the strategies that would lead to a step change reduction in UK demand for materials, and the policy and business conditions under which these strategies would become attractive. The planned outputs of the UK INDEMAND Centre include technical innovations to deliver material savings in production and design, demonstrations of the business case for material efficiency accounting for purchasing preferences, policy recommendations based on business, sector and trade analysis, and information tools to support well-informed decision making.
