Circular interior design
Applying the Circular Economy to Interior Design
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the pioneering charity which is the world leader on education and encouragement of a circular economy, defines the circular economy as based on three principles, driven by design:
Eliminate waste + pollution
Circulate products + materials for longer, at their highest value
Regenerate nature + natural systems for people, planet + animals
So, this means examining all processes and resources used (materials, energy, fossil fuels, water) and improving the systems used by business and citizens to sit within the remit of the resources we have, for the benefit of people and planet, nature and animals.
We have finite resources - and designers are great problem-solvers. A perfect match!
I find that an exciting combination. Switching to a process that is circular rather than the traditional linear of 'Take - Make - Waste' model provides the design industry with opportunities and possibilities.
Circularity is an efficient and business-savvy design method. Risk is reduced as the model is not connected to potentially volatile virgin resources markets - strengthening supply chains and future-proofing them.
Supporting qualifications
Circular Economy
Course: Skills Bootcamp in Circular Economy
Qualification: Circular Economy Institute accredited - Trained level
Organisation: Circular Economy Institute + Department for Education. Course run by Brighton & Hove City Council + SOENECS. Hosted by Plus X Innovation.
Date: March '26
Membership: Circular Economy Institute Trained member
Classroom: history, theory, case studies, group analysis. Lectures from Claire Potter, Sussex University
Site visits: Waste House/Wild House, circular cities: Brighton and London, Ford MERF (materials recovery facility)
Lifecycle assessment training
Individual Circular Economy Opportunity Assessment (CEO) presentation
Formulate a post study Action Plan
Regenerative Design
Qualification: Living Future Accredited Professional (LFA)
Organisation: International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
Date: April '23
"Socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative" - International Living Future Institute
LFA is a professional accreditation that recognises proficiency in the world’s most ambitious, advanced, and holistic regenerative design standards.
Administered by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) their accreditation LFA and their certification for buildings the Living Building Challenge®, are based on a framework of categories, based on the symbol of a seven-petaled flower, that help guide the design of buildings that do more good than harm and demonstrate "what good looks like".
Used with ILFI's wide span of tools to use to certify products, projects and communities - the PETAL CONCEPTS cover:
Place
Water
Energy
Materials
Health
Beauty
Equity
Read more here
Healthy Buildings
Qualification: Healthy Materials Advocate - Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building Certificate, Art & Design with Parsons certificate program
Organisation: Parsons New School, New York
Date: May '21
This course explored material health, sustainability and circular design strategies with in the Built Environment. Examined from the human health perspective - getting into chemistry and impacts on body systems.
Sections:
1. Healthier Materials & Sustainable Building PCID 0605 X1
2. Materials and Human Health - PCID 0601 Xk1
3. Building Products and Chemistry - PCID 0602 X1
4. Healthier Material Design & Specification - PCID 0603 X1
5. Executing a Healthier Project - PCID 0604 X1
Qualification: FitWel® Ambassador
Organisation: Center for Active Design became the exclusive operator of Fitwel. Originally developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) + the General Services Administration (GSA), in 2016
Date: February '19
A healthy building certification system that focuses on improving the lives of occupants and local communities.
Also studied WELL Building Standard - took intensive course - but didn't take exam. Date: April '19
Vegan Design
Qualification: Vegan Design Certified™ (IDCEC accredited)
Organisation: Vegan Design Org
Date: July '17
Membership: International Vegan Design Association founding member
The course - supported by PETA investigations - covered the widespread use of animals in the interior design supply chains - as well as the methodologies used for material 'production'. It also examined the use of toxic chemicals and their impacts to workers and the vulnerable communities surrounding production.
I was the first interior designer in the UK to be VEGANDESIGN.ORG CERTIFIED™ (IDCEC accredited).
‘Waste is a resource in the wrong place’
What does that mean?
Working with the five circular economy business models:
Product life extension:
Reusing, repairing, refurbishment, remanufacturing
Design for longevity, to be multi-functional, flexible, adaptable, modular, reusable and repairable - designed for whole lifecycle.
Use of products with lifecycle assessments, carbon values
Using Cradle to Cradle certified products
Manual of drawings, specifications and suppliers for ease of maintenance and any future repair needs
Resource recovery:
Encouraging recycling of waste streams
Ease of composting at end of life
Energy recovery
Responsible waste management
Circular supplies:
Replacing finite materials with renewable, bio-based or recyclable materials - using regenerative supply chains
Low impact specifications – specifying quickly renewable natural materials, using labels such as Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
Sharing platforms
Use of platform that encourage reuse of preloved items
Open source designs
Design of multi use spaces
Product as a service
Leasing / rental instead of ownership - subscription, pay per use
Carbon valued project
Specifications that can be used...
FSC certified sustainable timber flooring and furniture
Avoiding animal products
Finishes and furnishing made from waste - using recycled content: floors, lighting, fabrics, surfaces, bedding.
Carbon neutral linoleum and cork flooring
Low energy lighting, low energy neon signs
Non animal-tested paint – internal and external
CO2 absorbing natural mineral paint
Fair Trade elements
GOTS and Soil Association certified cotton
Many alternatives to animal products: avoiding petrochemicals, using waste, recycle fishing nets, Tencel, Lyocell
Use of automation to save energy: sensor lighting, shading, climate control
Colour changing circadian lighting to tune the body into the day and aid restful sleep
Good air quality - avoiding off-gassing and toxic materials, finishes, furniture
Good water quality and water saving
Access to nature - biophilic benefits of having natural materials, plants and even imagery using plants inside our homes
Urban agriculture
Useful RESOURCES for designers and students....