Indicative Project Focus: Intersection of Sustainable Design, Innovation

Architecture and Furniture Design

Outline of project focus

This project focuses on sustainable design and innovative architecture, exploring the
integration of these two concepts to create advanced and functional designs that minimize
environmental impact. The aim is to develop new approaches to architecture and furniture
design that address the pressing need for sustainability in our built environment.

Contemporary or Future Context:

This project is particularly relevant in the context of the current global crisis where there is a
growing need for sustainable, efficient and flexible design solutions. As the world population
continues to grow, space becomes more limited, and environmental concerns become more
pressing, there is a growing demand for design solutions that are not only aesthetically
pleasing but also efficient and sustainable. This focus is also timely given the increased
interest in sustainable design among consumers and the push for industries to adopt
sustainable practices. This project will appeal to designers, architects, and anyone interested
in the intersection between different design fields and how they can work together to create
innovative solutions for the future.

Developing the project focus

This project will explore various design principles, including sustainability, modularity, and
flexibility, to create innovative and functional design solutions. The project will examine
prior examples of designs that incorporate these principles, evaluate their effectiveness, and
explore how they can be improved or adapted to meet contemporary needs. The project will
explore how to incorporate different design fields to create unique and functional solutions.
For example, in the interior design industry, some designers combined western and eastern
functional or minimalist styles to achieve both aesthetic and highly functional. For example,
the Scandinavian functionality and Japanese rustic minimalism create “Japandi”, which
frequently highlights sustainability as it features natural materials and minimalist designs,
making it a desirable choice for eco-conscious decor. The growing interest in
environmentally friendly aesthetics is a driving force behind the surge in Japandi's popularity.

Critical Ideas:

The project will explore the use of foldable architecture and furniture design to create flexible
living spaces that are adaptable to changing needs. It will also investigate the use of
sustainable materials and construction methods to reduce the environmental impact of
buildings and furniture. The project will draw on prior examples of sustainable design and
foldable architecture, evaluating their strengths and limitations and seeking to develop new
approaches that build on these.

I developed the concept of mortise and tonic structure in traditional Chinese culture with
modular furniture in my previous design of the Evolving Library in Melbourne, which is
included in my portfolio. The entire library is fulfilled with furniture composited by modular
units, which are made of local timber. This design has a long-term plan that The arrangement
and structure of furniture inside libraries can be dismantled, reconfigured, or repurposed
based on the decline of traditional print media and the rise of digital media in the future.

Working process

One of the challenges I anticipate facing is balancing the need for sustainable design
principles with aesthetic and functional considerations. Additionally, as the sustainable design
is a rapidly evolving field, staying up-to-date with the latest developments and technologies
may also be a challenge, such as the exploration and innovation of new materials. Moreover,
The conflict between authentic function and comfortability when designing furniture is a
common dilemma faced by designers. While comfortability is more challenging in the design
of multifunctional or modular units and sustainable material choices.

Reflection

The strength of this project lies in its focus on sustainability and its exploration of new
approaches to innovative architecture and furniture design, such as foldable techniques. By
integrating these two concepts, it seeks to create designs that are both environmentally
responsible and functional. Additionally, the project draws on prior examples of sustainable
design which reduce the problem of abandoned or recycled used furniture particularly and
identify new opportunities for innovation. Based on the research, the use of parametric design
tools and scripting to create furniture designs that offer both authentic function and
comfortability.

However, one challenge may be finding ways to effectively communicate my ideas to

different audiences, as my project focus spans multiple disciplines. The design requires time
to transfer people's traditional consumption concepts and their cognition ​in the production
industry. If multi-functional products can be produced smoothly, they will replace some
single-function or traditional products in the market. This will result in a certain amount of
capital loss, causing manufacturers to be unwilling to cooperate. However, if the unit price of
the product is raised, some consumers who only focus on product prices and do not
understand sustainable development or anti-consumerism concepts will be lost. The conflict
between these two is difficult to balance.

In developing this project focus, I have used a range of resources, including academic
journals, books, and online resources. I have also reached out to design professionals and
researchers in the fields of sustainable design, architecture and furniture design, and jewellery
design for guidance and insight. As a design professional with prior experience in sustainable
design, I bring relevant skills and experiences to this project.
Bibliography:

Amini, F., & Rajaie, H. (2016). A review of the relationship between comfort and
functionality in furniture design. Journal of Ergonomics, 4(3), 1-6.

Burry, M. (2011). Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming. John Wiley &
Sons.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael
Braungart

"Foldable Architecture: Spatial, Structural and Formal Transformations" (conference

proceedings)

Knierim, A. (2022) Learn about the most harmonious trend yet-japandi, The Spruce. The
Spruce. Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/japandi-design-4782478 (Accessed: April 2,
2023).

The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance by William McDonough and

Michael Braungart

Shigeru Ban, "Paper in Architecture"

"Sustainable Architecture" by Svetlana Kudryavtseva in World Architecture Review

Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys by Kate Fletcher

The Circular Design Guide by IDEO and Ellen MacArthur Foundation