DDW24: DESIGNING WITH OPEN ECOLOGIES

During the second edition of Talks at the Kiosk as part of the SPACES FOR TOMORROW exhibition at Dutch Design Week, the project re:source by SBYD resident Robert Schnüll was presented.

The prototypical objects created during the residency in the field of “Sustainability and Technology” – electric coffee grinders – were made entirely from repurposed electrical components, also known as e-waste. In a conversation with Professor of Industrial Design Kristina Andersen, the discussion, inspired by the project re:source, revolved around experimental design practices. The focus was particularly on the question of how the reuse of technical components influences design practices.

How does the exclusive use of recycled electronic parts affect the design of prototypes and aesthetic concepts?



We had the opportunity to ask Robert Schnüll two questions before the event:


How can design promote sustainability?

»In German, there is a remarkable term in the creative fields called ‘der Entwurf’. ’Der Entwurf’ refers to the process of envisioning and materialising potential futures in the present. Through ‘der Entwurf’, climate-just futures can be explored, made tangible, and experienced, allowing us to collaboratively shape a path toward that state. By bringing abstract ideas into the realm of design, it creats a space for dialogue and collective engagement, where sustainability isn‘t just imagined but actively constructed and refined. In this way, design promotes sustainability by turning speculative futures into concrete, actionable visions.«

Which works inspire you?

»Diving into the complexity of digital, physical, and social systems, understanding their holistic functionality, and projecting those gained insights onto the others in reverse; opening up new perspectives on systems assumed to be already known.«