Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice [Paperback]

Stuart Walker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 184407353X | ISBN-13: 978-1844073535 | Publication Date: September 3, 2006

To advance the subject of design one has to engage in the activity of designing. Sustainable by Design offers a compelling and innovative, design-centred approach that explores both the meaning and practice of sustainable design. Walker explores the design process in the context of sustainability, and challenges conventional ways of defining, designing and producing functional objects. He discusses the personal design process, tacit knowledge, ephemeral design, experimental design, and the relationship between intellectual design criteria, physical expression and aesthetic experience. This book will introduce vital concepts to students and will inspire designers by providing a well-articulated basis for understanding the complexity and potential of sustainable design, and extolling the contribution of design to the creation of a more meaningful material culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Definitely to be on the booklist of any product design course' Professor Jack Ingram, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design 'A fascinating book that takes the reader on a journey that is both diverse and full of surprise' Jonathan Chapman, Senior Lecturer, University of Brighton 'A sensitive, thought-provoking book that explores fresh possibilities.' Alastair Fuad-Luke, sustainable design facilitator, lecturer, writer and maker 'Sustainable by Design is a key addition to the ... bookshelf' Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, UCCA 'At once inspiring and informative ... It offers designers, students, and practitioners alike a journey into the heart of design through philosophical questioning of place, time, materiality, self, society, and meaning, without sacrificing the practical concerns regarding the transition from models of consumption to sustainability. The sophistication of the exploration cannot be overstated and should be required reading for students of design. Summing Up: Highly recommended.' Choice 'With beautiful images to back up his words, Walker tutors, suggests and inspires...this book is a must for students and designers, its thoughtful approach also makes it an interesting read for anyone who's excited by the current shift of play.' Sally White, Resource, 2008. 'Walker presents an investigation of sustainable desgign that is at once inspiring and informative...The sophistication of the exploration cannot be overstated and should be required reading for students of design.' L. Farooque, CHOICE

About the Author

Stuart Walker PhD is Professor of Environmental Design and Associate Dean (Research and International) at the post-graduate Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Canada. He is also Visiting Professor of Sustainable Design at Kingston University, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (September 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184407353X
• ISBN-13: 978-1844073535
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not really useful from a product designer's perspective, February 8, 2008

By 

kilograham - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

I was hoping for more interesting concepts in this book, but making a clock from fruit isn't a particularly useful application for a practicing designer. Interesting book but there are better on the subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring ideas for today's designers!, June 22, 2008

By 

Mr. T. Logan (Bristol, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

What more interesting concepts do you want?! This book is full of fascinating and inspiring conceptual arguments about the things that hould be motivating and influencing today's designers. In our contemporary `throw away' culture and facing increasing resource scarcity and environmental degradation, we need to re-evaluate our role as designers in producing enduring products created in a sustainable manner, without compromising on the "complete" aesthetic. This unique book inspires and guides us through this difficult terrain (and there are some very interesting practical ideas too!).