The furniture industry represents a substantial segment of Europe’s economy, with the European Union producing approximately 25% of the world’s furniture. This sector is currently transitioning towards a circular economy. This study aims to thoroughly examine the circular initiatives undertaken by European furniture companies, emphasising the role of design in fostering innovative solutions. By employing a multiple case study methodology, the research demonstrates that existing circular solutions predominantly focus on materials and products, with significant adoption of circular design strategies. The majority of furniture companies are implementing these strategies to enhance resource efficiency and prolong product lifespans. Additionally, some companies are developing complementary service systems to improve product performance and longevity further. However, only a few have successfully implemented circular business models alongside circular product design strategies. This study also highlights that increasing user engagement and adopting a systemic perspective that includes various stakeholders in creating mutually beneficial solutions are areas that are still underdeveloped. Finally, we propose a framework to effectively guide furniture companies in implementing design strategies from a systemic perspective, aiming to generate comprehensive circular solutions within the European furniture sector.

Design can play a fundamental role in addressing the climate crisis and preserving the planet’s finite resources. Through design, it is possible to reduce the environmental impact of products and services right from concept stage. The elements that concur within a project are diverse and often have an impact on each other. The material is one of them, being able to influence the product, but also the business model, company relations, etc. To help the designer keep all these aspects under control, various methodologies and tools have been developed, among them design strategies and guidelines. To date, several authors have dealt with the topic, offering different perspectives and generating a critical mass of information, which differs in the level of depth and operability of the suggestions, often differing only in terminology rather than content. This inhomogeneity can confuse both professionals and students. This study proposes an ordered taxonomy of the different levels of detail and a unified terminology of the strategies and guidelines in the literature. To test taxonomy and systematisation, this article focuses on guidelines for material choice, resulting in a framework to guide the selection of materials with a view to sustainability.

Design for Sustainability Transition (DfST) is gaining popularity in both academia and practice, seeking to guide socio-technical systems toward more sustainable futures through design but remaining a high-level approach that is difficult to evaluate. The authors also disagree on the designer’s role during the transitions, leaving it open to exploration. Organisations considered a socio-technical system play a crucial role in solving the climate crisis we are experiencing and need to be guided through change. Working on employees and their practices makes it possible to initiate a snowball effect capable of triggering the necessary cultural change. The Design-Led Innovation approach can be a valuable guide in the cultural transformation of companies, connecting strategic aspects with more pragmatic ones, such as products or services solutions. This also suggests the figure of the Design Innovation Catalyst as a change agent to facilitate the introduction of design as a driver of change. This paper proposes a Conceptual Framework based on Design-Led Innovation and Social Practice Theory to guide the sustainable transition and evaluate the change brought to individuals' practices. Through a 12-month collaboration with an Italian secondary packaging company, it was possible to test the framework and its impact on design-as-practice. The results consolidate the validity of Design-Led Innovation for Sustainable Transition, showing its potential and limitations. The role played by the Design Innovation Catalyst proves to be crucial in facilitating transition and leading to changes in practices.

Humanity faces a period of changes, leading to a global transition with unpredictable outcomes. Design can play a key role in guiding society to face these challenges, helping the different socio-technical system stakeholders cope with the sustainable transition. The change towards more sustainable economic and social systems requires the design of products and services and new business models and integrated systems that deliver them. This implies shifting from individual company thinking towards coalitions and partnerships like collaborative ecosystems. The furniture industry is facing a sustainable transition, therefore, companies and the market are experimenting with new approaches, including collaborative ecosystems. Because of this, it is important to understand how design can contribute to the definition, creation, and development of a collaborative ecosystem for sustainable transition in the furniture industry. The article adopts the single case study methodology, proposing the analysis of Opendesk, a furniture delocalised network. The research shows how the design mindset has enabled Opendesk to create a collaborative, scalable, and resilient business that values stakeholders in the system and local production. It was possible to address the challenges of building and maintaining a community and network, creating engagement through design. Through the design mindset in the creation of a collaborative ecosystem, it was possible to help local manufacturers to be efficient and economically viable, allowing customers to contribute to the local economy and value. The case study shows the potential of design to catalyse relationships for fruitful collaborations between stakeholders with different goals and provide systemic innovations.

Information about the paper titled "DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: A THREE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL APPROACH" at IATED Digital Library