Article: Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden Journal: Journal of Design Research (JDR) 2024 Vol.21 No.3/4 pp.177 - 209 Abstract: Design practitioners are central actors in the circular economy, but knowledge is lacking regarding current trends, challenges, and knowledge needs related to circular design. This study surveyed 114 design practitioners in the Netherlands and Sweden, focusing on architects and industrial designers. The findings reveal that 63% had experience with circular economy in design projects, and 66% reported organisational adaptations. Projects focused on circular economy more frequently employed strategies like design for disassembly and circular business models. Differences between architects and industrial designers primarily regarded the focus on material reuse and disassembly. Practitioners actively develop tools and engage in new networks and collaborations to support circular design. Yet challenges remain, particularly on a business-level, related to material knowledge and economic and environmental assessment. The study concludes that major challenges associated with circular design appear mostly beyond the direct influence of designers and require further coordinated efforts between governments, design practice, industry, and research. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden

Authors: Giliam Dokter; Jonathan Edgardo Cohen; Sofie Hagejärd; Oskar Rexfelt; Liane Thuvander

Addresses: Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden ' Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden ' Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden ' Department of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden ' Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden

Abstract: Design practitioners are central actors in the circular economy, but knowledge is lacking regarding current trends, challenges, and knowledge needs related to circular design. This study surveyed 114 design practitioners in the Netherlands and Sweden, focusing on architects and industrial designers. The findings reveal that 63% had experience with circular economy in design projects, and 66% reported organisational adaptations. Projects focused on circular economy more frequently employed strategies like design for disassembly and circular business models. Differences between architects and industrial designers primarily regarded the focus on material reuse and disassembly. Practitioners actively develop tools and engage in new networks and collaborations to support circular design. Yet challenges remain, particularly on a business-level, related to material knowledge and economic and environmental assessment. The study concludes that major challenges associated with circular design appear mostly beyond the direct influence of designers and require further coordinated efforts between governments, design practice, industry, and research.

Keywords: circular economy; circular design; circular business models; industrial design; architecture; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2024.143685

Journal of Design Research, 2024 Vol.21 No.3/4, pp.177 - 209

Received: 09 Oct 2023
Accepted: 24 Sep 2024
Published online: 03 Jan 2025 *

Title: Mapping the practice of circular design: a survey study with industrial designers and architects in the Netherlands and Sweden

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